In a vehicle experiencing a pulling condition towards the right, what is the likely cause if the right wheel is significantly hotter than the others?

In a situation where a vehicle is pulling towards the right and the right wheel is significantly hotter than the others, the most likely cause is a malfunctioning brake caliper on the right rear wheel. When a brake caliper is stuck or not functioning properly, it can cause excessive brake engagement on that particular wheel. This results in increased friction and heat, making the associated wheel much hotter than the others.

The overheating of the right wheel indicates that the brake is potentially dragging, which is consistent with the symptoms of a bad caliper. This excessive heat can not only cause uneven wear on the brake pads but can also lead to overall performance issues and safety risks, as the affected brake may not release fully, causing the vehicle to pull in that direction.

Other options may present symptoms that could cause a pulling condition, but they do not directly relate to the observed heat discrepancy. For instance, a toe problem would primarily affect tire alignment and wear but wouldn't be directly tied to significant heat differences across wheels. A thrust angle issue relates more to rear axle alignment rather than braking functions. Likewise, while a tire tread problem could contribute to pulling by affecting traction, it would not typically result in a distinct temperature difference across the wheels.