Tighten your lug nuts

(phatboypimp) · (phatboypimp) **Join Date: Apr 2005** 07-07-2008, 2:36 PM

Lost a trailer wheel/tire on the highway this weekend, but luckily nobody died. Just a friendly reminder.

(Message edited by phatboypimp on July 07, 2008)

(175xt) · (175xt) **Join Date: Aug 2006** 07-07-2008, 2:54 PM

X2

Two weeks ago I lost the real wheel on my 5th wheel while traveling @ 70mph with the boat behind it.

(1boarder_kevin)

been there done that and it isn't fun. I have a torque wrench and use it obsesively.

(cyclonecj) · (cyclonecj) **Join Date: Jul 2001** 07-10-2008, 7:36 PM

I lost one recently, ripped all five lugs right off. Don't go faster than 65, tighten the crap out of the lugs, have at least one spare and some cash if you are going a distance.

(jtnz) · (jtnz) **Join Date: Sep 2007** 07-10-2008, 8:23 PM

Tightening the crap out of them isn't always good. Too tight and they're far more likely to shear off.

(cyclonecj) · (cyclonecj) **Join Date: Jul 2001** 07-10-2008, 8:56 PM

Yeah I know all about it. Too loose and they WILL come off, I like them tight. Kevins right, torque wrench. I have an impact wrench that I can set the torque to 100 ft/lbs.

(phat_in_cincy) · (phat_in_cincy) **Join Date: May 2003** 07-11-2008, 5:17 AM

Also check your owners manual for a tightening pattern and stepping up your torque settings. My MC trailer calls for 3 passes of increasing torque settings in a certain pattern.

As stated...too tight can be just as bad as too loose. Torque wrenches are key.

(denverd1)

I've been around trucks and equipment my whole life. and never seen anyone use a torque wrench on a tire. Impact wrench or a tire iron. Torqueing lugs makes sense, just never ran into that.

So Whats the typical torque number?

(phat_in_cincy) · (phat_in_cincy) **Join Date: May 2003** 07-11-2008, 8:18 AM

Here's what it is for my '04 MC trailer (from owner's manual). You should look up the specifics for your trailer tho...

Upload

(Message edited by Phat in Cincy on July 11, 2008)

(flux) · (flux) **Join Date: Jun 2003** 07-11-2008, 8:29 AM

I think 90 or 100 ft lbs is right for the trailer.

Too much and you start stretching the studs and a jolt can turn them to plastic and snap.

(bp909) · (bp909) **Join Date: Oct 2007** 07-11-2008, 8:43 AM

x2 for me. wheel fell off while pulling in to station to check the wheel. Funny thing is when we were driving down the hwy we thought the thumping was the stereo in the vehicle (not the wheel wobbling). We were lucky it only cost 15 bucks for a temp. rim and were real close to Discount Tire.

(davidgree1) · (davidgree1) **Join Date: Apr 2002** 07-11-2008, 11:08 AM

i have two friends who lost a wheel on a trailer.
seems too common.

(chpthril) · (chpthril) **Join Date: Oct 2007** 07-11-2008, 11:30 AM

IMPO, an impact wrench is the worst thing to use to tighten lugs as the torque is dependant upon air pressure and CFM. With each lug you tighten, the pressure drops and the fallowing lug is not as tight and so on.

Inconsistency in lug torque can lead to warped rotors or drums.