Reason to occasionally check the torque on thos lug nuts.

[DQDick]

This rig pulled in next to us last night. The lug nuts loosened and then the wheel sliced the studs off and the wheel left the rig but not without doing substantual damage to the bottom and side of the slide.

[timandsusan]

X2 on checking torque on lug nuts! The prior to departure walk around might have caught this if the lug nuts did not look fully seated but a check with your torque wrench sure would. Wonder if that RVer had TPMS? Also--you really do need a good torque wrench.

[Slow Hand]

I usually torque mine at the start of my travels than once again at the first stop. After that if wheels are ok than I don't bother with it again till the next year. They say that if you remove a aluminum wheel than you need to re tighten them after 50 miles.

[MidMOTraveler]

Yep it happens, lost a boat trailer tire on the first trip out brand new. Same thing sheared the studs.
Nothing like seeing your tire and wheel bouncing down the ditch in front of you!

[mazboy]

Lost 2 a few years ago. I never checked the lug nuts.... well, I learned the hard way. thank god for insurance.

[timandsusan]

As recommended by Keystone, when removing and re-installing an aluminum wheel. Tighten the lug nuts to the specs, drive 10-15 miles and re-tighten (I have always gotten some tightening at this point), drive 20-25 miles more repeat the tightening (Again, I have usually gotten a little more seating), and drive 50-60 miles more for final tightening ( I usually don't get anything at this point). The wheels will be seated--have a great trip!

[jcurtis934]

Carry two torque wrenches and the only impact tool used on my wheels was when my I.S. system was installed and morryde did final tightening by torque wrench. I finger tighten nuts before using the torque wrench and have never seen a lug nut needing any tightening when checked after roughly 50 miles. I still do checks though.

[Bad Moon]

I’m a little skeptical. Although I don’t question reasonable precautions, properly installed and torqued lug nuts shouldn’t come loose under normal circumstances. By properly installed and torqued, I mean in stages, and in a cross-pattern (not sequential). The threads should be clean, and I use anti-seize in case I might ever want to take the wheels off later. Also I don’t trust others to torque my wheels. By “normal circumstances“ I mean not severely over-heated.

[goodellj]

Besides the initial torquing and at 100 miles, I check about every 2-3 months of use. I usually find a few that need a little tightening. I always check when I take the camper out of storage before a trip.

[Eddiea]

Originally Posted by timandsusan

X2 on checking torque on lug nuts! The prior to departure walk around might have caught this if the lug nuts did not look fully seated but a check with your torque wrench sure would. Wonder if that RVer had TPMS? Also--you really do need a good torque wrench.

Harbor Fright, cheap but not needed much, close enough

[Ahdmeyer]

how many found pounds should the lugnuts be torqued at?
al
3931fb

[rohrmann]

About six years ago we were in a park in southern Wisconsin and I was working my way around the rig checking lug nut torque. The neighbor next to us was dumbfounded that I was doing this and said I should never have to do this. After pointing to the sticker above the fender I showed him how much movement I got tightening lug nuts. Not sure if he was convinced but he was educated. He also had aluminum wheels so would have the same issues. Not sure steel wheels are subject to loosening like with aluminum.

[Stix]

I check mine before heading out. Whenever you tow or park your rig, your trailer tires do not turn, they slide. With dual or triple axles, this causes the wheel to be under a lot of stress which ultimately transfers to the weakest link, the studs and lug nuts. I also check the tire pressures as the tires are load rated dependent on having the correct pressure. An ounce of prevention....

[Bad Moon]

Interestingly, a few days ago I saw a guy pull into the overflow parking lot at the RV Park we are staying at. He had a large 20 ft cargo trailer that was obviously over-loaded (the front wheels of his truck were nearly off the ground!). His trailer only had 3 wheels, the fourth one lost along the way.

[Eddiea]

Originally Posted by Ahdmeyer

how many found pounds should the lugnuts be torqued at?
al
3931fb

I use 120 foot pounds, for aluminum wheels. Over torque ding can cause studs to break under side load

[jcurtis934]

And torqued in 30% stages, ie, 40, 80, 120# steps.

[goxley11]

I check mine before each trip. Only takes 5 minutes. Torque to 110 lb-ft.

[team bradfield]

before every trip, tire pressure and torque, first rest area, torque check. then once a week, pressure and torque.

[Bad Moon]

The more I read about this, the more I believe it is a CYA measure devised by the tire dealers. They all say something to the effect of “return in 100 miles for re-torquing your wheels”. Thus relieving them of the liability if a wheel falls off.

[DQDick]

It's not a scam, it's a real thing with aluminum trailer tires. If you're not experiencing it, when tires are taken off and remounted, you may have another equally serious problem. Tire dealers over torquing the lug nuts.