Rusted Lug Nuts

[DCP]

I have a 2005 2980RL with aluminum wheels and all the lug nuts are rusting. I have only torqued them a couple of times so I'm not sue what's going on. Anyone else have this problem?

[illapah]

I haven't noticed this on my Monty but I have steel wheels. Others have been known to coat lugs with anti-sieze compound found at auto parts stores.

[Art]

DCP,

I have a 2004 Montana...the same thing. I know of no easy way to clean them. I will just have to use muscle and chrome cleaner!

[Searchers]

I bought a set of chrome lug nuts 7 years ago at a tire/wheel shop that have a lifetime guarantee against rust, chipping and pitting for less than $2 each as I recall. I believe they were called "Tuff Nuts" and they still look new.

[scrowba]

My 2005 had the rusty lug nut problem also. The dealer replaced them in the Fall for us. We will see what they look like when we get to the campground in a few weeks.

[Broome101]

Same problem with mine they started rusting few months after we had the rig. Cheap lugs nuts, if you replace them make sure you get ones that are big enough and strong enough to handle the torque and load. I am looking around for some good ones as we speak, terrible to have shiny rig and nice wheels only to have rusty lug nuts, drives me crazy.

[Chad Brooks]

Every time you wash your RV, take a can of silicone/penetrate and mist it on the lugs. This will help prevent the rust tremendously. I have done this for years on all my trailers with chrome lugs.

[bigrockbruce]

I too am dissapointed in the rust that has appeared on my 2005 3295RK. After only 2 trips out, in October I started to notice the rusting. I thought it rather unusual that they would be rusting becasue I have a covered parking area at my home. Does this problem sound like an issue that should be covered by our warranties? I think it is time I call and check, so will be doing so in the morning.

[JH Sechelt]

We have a 2006 2980RL,
Same thing, rusty luggs, go and look at " When you have nothing else to do"
Sounds like alot of work. The lugg nuts that came on these units are just cheap. No matter how much you clean them I'm sure they will just keep rusting. Maybe that is why Keystone is so worried about Wheel nut torque, the Lugnuts are to cheap and won't hold the proper torque. Might be a good idea to get good ones.
J & D

[Jerzy54]

I had the same problem just after couple weeks of use. I went to my dealer with few other problems and I told him about the rusted lug nuts and they replaced all of them under the warranty

[wileecoyote985]

I have the same problem on our 2980. The OEM lug nuts are junk.

Did a little Googling after reading Searchers post above and found the McGard Tough Nuts. Their testing on this site; http://www.mcgard.com/deutschland/en...sechskant.html
looks good. Not sure what size we need but I'm going to check into it.

[Glenn and Lorraine]

All lug nuts are steel and those that look like chrome have a light chrome plating on the steel. This plating is thin and will chip and/or, crack as they are tightened. Even when the wheels are first installed on the rig chipping can occur with rust appearing shortly thereafter. About the only remedy is a light coating of silicon every so often.

[OntMont]

I just cleaned mine, and as Glenn says, most of the problem stems from the wrench (probably an air wrench) damaging the chrome finish. Mine looked pretty bad, but I was surprised that they cleaned up pretty well. I took each nut off in turn, cleaned and polished it with turtle chrome polish, the result looks pretty good, but I'm not sure for how long. Maybe I'll try the silcone spray trick too. I think I will also invest in a deep 6 point 7/8 socket that will not be so likely to damage the finish of the nut.

I would consider new nuts if I could find better ones, or I may just send the ones I have to chrome plating shop to be replated. If anyone finds a source for good lug nuts of suitable quality, please post it here.

[Searchers]

McGard Tough Nuts, lifetime guarantee against chipping, peeling and rusting. I've had them for 7 years and they still look like new.

http://www.mcgard.com/default2.asp

[OntMont]

Thanks Don, those look good. I'll give them a call.

[Wrenchtraveller]

My 06 2955Rl is only 4 months old and the wheel nuts on the Aluminum wheels were starting to rust. I put a good anti rust spray on them and they are looking OK. as other posters have stated, these are cheap wheel nuts and I am sure I will be replacing them down the road.

[BigAl52]

Anyone know the part # of the ones that you need. Al