UTH's must be regulated with a thermostat. Without one they can and will get 130+ degrees (it only takes 108 degrees to give a BP brain damage) The second link I posted in my first post has thermostat recommendations at all price points.

Your hides might be part of the problem. A lot of people have had suscess with these hides (including myself) they are cheap and super durable. I highly recommend them.

http://www.reptilebasics.com/hide-boxes