Does your lug nut wrench fit your lug nuts?

[astrungis]

We are preparing to venture back west after being on the road for 3+ months. I am taking a "look-see" at my list of things to do and see "tighten lug nuts". OK...I find my Montana lug nut wrench hanging in the basement. I kneel down, put the wrench socket onto the nut and it is way too small! Is it me? Did they change the lug size to a larger one on 2013? Anyone?

[Captain Joe]

I did not get a lug wrench with my 2013. It only came with a wrench to lower the spare tire.

[nosticks]

That's not a lug nut wrench hanging in the basement. Best to get a torque wrench and socket with extension.

[DQDick]

As stated above, that's your spare wrench. As Dave says a torque wrench is a must. Not only to torque the lug nuts to the recommended torque but also the U joints.

[hunts800]

Get a good quality torque wrench.

[HOOK]

Get a thin walled socket that allows it to fit between nut and wheel.
Bought torque wrench from Harbor freight.

[BB_TX]

I carry an extra long 4 way lug wrench in the bed of the truck to make removing them easier. And a torque wrench in the basement for putting them back on. Fortunately never needed it on the road yet.

[Recumbent]

Get one as stated above, Clicker or Digital, either wrench will do, but do not do without. Also, like Larry indicates get sockets (deep well set with extensions) that have walls thin enough to seat down on the the lugs with no interference form wheel. As we live our adventures might as well do it with torqued lugs.

[Rainer]

I believe a spark plug socket will work just fine with the 2013 Montana lug nuts. It does on mine.

[vangoes]

The lug nuts on my 2012 are metric.....

[Art-n-Marge]

Surprise!!! The wrench that came with the rig is a 3/4" fitting for lowering the underside spare and for the manually operated rear stabilizers. Funny how they provide that wrench, but NOTHING to help you change a tire. I use a rechargeable drill with a 3/4" socket to speed up the movement, but I use the wrench to initially loosen and finally tighten things down.

If your rig is like most you'll need a 7/8 lug wrench or tire iron for removing the lug nuts or better yet a 7/8 deep socket and short extension on the end of a breaker bar to loosen the lug nuts. Then you'll need a torque wrench, that same socket and extension to put the nuts back on. You'll also find you'll need a 6 to 12 ton jack and a bunch of 4x4 blocks to lift the rig up to remove the tire after you figure out what tools you need to loosen the lug nuts. Of course this is different from my truck that has 13/16 lug nuts.

Are you saying you were out with the rig for 3+ months? How lucky you were, if early on you were not checking the lug nuts every couple hundred miles until they kinda "lock in place". As you are alluding, then recheck the rig after it sits for a while and you are getting ready to start a new trip.

[The Oldguard]

astrungis, have you checked the air pressure in the tires at all

[clarkandsheila]

Get a long handled ratcheting breaker bar. I have a heavy duty, old now, Craftsman flex head ratcheting breaker bar of about 14" to loosen the lug nuts. I also use a 10" 1/2" dr. extension. I have other bars but find that is the best and most readily used.

The socket is a 13/16 and yours should be the same but check and be sure.

The torque wrench is used only to retighten the nuts.

[1retired06]

Bet you are glad you discovered that before sitting on the side of the road with a tire problem!

[woodtic]

My lug nuts take a 7/8 socket (7,000 lbs axles).

[timandsusan]

The torque wrench, extension, socket, hydralic jack, etc. is just part of the long list of items you really NEED to be prepared on the road--by rough estimate including a good king pin, tire monitors is about $3000 after the purchase will get you there. Oh yes, air compressor--I carry a DC and AC version--and I have used both. No dealer will tell anyone who spends $50,000 plus that they should drop another $3K on the really needed stuff!

[Chip]

Don't go anywhere without a surge protector for your rig. Ours has gone off twice this week alone.