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Tbos
09-09-2018, 07:29 AM
I have a 2019 Alpine with the factory aluminum 16” wheels. What lug nut torque is everyone using? I’ve been using 110. Dexter says 120 is max on the lugs. I don’t have any information on the wheels to see what that manufacturer recommends. The Keystone owner’s manual says 110-120.

chuckster57
09-09-2018, 07:34 AM
I found this:
https://recstuff.com/pro-tips/typical-lug-nut-torque-specifications-for-aluminum-trailer-wheels/

I often use 110 unless the sticker says different. I've seen 90 on some rims.

JRTJH
09-09-2018, 09:04 AM
In aviation, torque is specified as a "recommended torque" with a +/- tolerance. Like 90+/- 15 foot pounds or 90+15/-5 foot pounds.

That's essentially what I "think" the axle manufacturers are stipulating when they say, Torque to 90-120 foot pounds. Written as above, the recommendation would be 105 +/- 15 foot pounds.

Either way, using a specified torque recommendation and providing a tolerance or just stating the max/min torque essentially meets the same "overall goal"....

To me, as long as the lugs are torqued tighter than 90 foot pounds and aren't torqued greater than 120 foot pounds, they meet the criteria.

Then it becomes "personal preference" or the capacities of your equipment. As an example, if your torque wrench has a range of 30-110 foot pounds, you wouldn't want to use it to torque lugs to 120 by applying torque until it clicks then a "tad more", rather you'd want to torque to somewhere between 90 foot pounds (the minimum acceptable torque) and 110 foot pounds (the maximum your equipment can reliably reach).

To me, it's more important to meet the requirements (anywhere within the range for new equipment) in the appropriate sequence and to retorque properly in the correct process than it is to reach the appropriate torque in an incorrect process (such as not torqueing in the correct star pattern) YMMV

bobbecky
09-09-2018, 09:56 AM
The Keystone manual is the same as for our Montana, and the 110-120 ft lbs is what has been recommended for years. In the Dexter manual, they said Dexter ceased production of wheels in 2004, so unless you have a rig that old that has Dexter wheels, you must use the Keystone specs. I torque to 120 ft lbs, and that has worked well.

travelin texans
09-09-2018, 10:10 AM
As John stated there's a pattern & procedure to torqueing the wheels. It's also not necessary or recommended to torque every time you stop. Torque initially, drive xxxx miles, torque again after wheels are cool by loosening each nut one at a time then retorque & done til the wheel is removed again.
Constantly torqueing will eventually crush/crack the bevel in the wheel &/or break the stud off.

CWtheMan
09-09-2018, 01:02 PM
I have a 2019 Alpine with the factory aluminum 16” wheels. What lug nut torque is everyone using? I’ve been using 110. Dexter says 120 is max on the lugs. I don’t have any information on the wheels to see what that manufacturer recommends. The Keystone owner’s manual says 110-120.

Look on pages 25-27.

https://www.keystonerv.com/media/9141971/keystone-owners-manual-2019.pdf

xrated
09-09-2018, 01:42 PM
Look on pages 25-27.

https://www.keystonerv.com/media/9141971/keystone-owners-manual-2019.pdf

That's the same manual I have with my 2017 Impact 303. So according to the settings listed in there...

110-120 for 1/2" studs
140-150 for 9/16" studs

And honestly, I can't remember, but I think on mine (7000 lbs Dexters) I have the 9/16" studs. I'm going to have to take a lug nut off and stick a set of calipers on the stud and measure.

EDIT: I just checked mine and they are 1/2" studs.....so 110-120 ft. lbs.

Tbos
09-09-2018, 04:32 PM
I wasn’t sure of the size of the studs so I asked Dexter and they responded with 1/2” and 120 max torque. Because of the confusion I also asked Keystone on their owner’s line. Bettina said the torque should be 90. That doesn’t agree with the owners manual that says 110-120. I can’t seem to find anything specific on the Hispec wheels on the Alpine.

Tbos
09-18-2018, 10:48 AM
Update, talked to the wheel OEM today and they said 90-120.

bobbecky
09-18-2018, 10:59 AM
I wasn’t sure of the size of the studs so I asked Dexter and they responded with 1/2” and 120 max torque. Because of the confusion I also asked Keystone on their owner’s line. Bettina said the torque should be 90. That doesn’t agree with the owners manual that says 110-120. I can’t seem to find anything specific on the Hispec wheels on the Alpine.

As you already discovered, rarely will you get accurate information from a person that answers the phone, unless you actually get a real technician or someone who works on these things.

Ken / Claudia
09-18-2018, 12:46 PM
Good advice whenever you phone someone with questions about their product, talk with a service manager. Their the ones who know.

Tbos
09-18-2018, 01:16 PM
When I talked with Dexter they asked for axle details before they responded. Keystone forwarded the request to their tech folks and the lady that answered the phone HiSpec also sent me to the tech folks. He looked it up while I was on the phone. I had been torquing to 110 but will set my torque wrench to 105 now. Right in the middle. Fortunately the lug nuts are never really lose with these aluminum wheels. I always check just in case.

Gegrad
09-18-2018, 05:10 PM
I typically do 110 on mine, right in the middle of the recommended range in the manual.

TomD1
09-18-2018, 06:16 PM
This comes from the Keystone Owners Manual "The information contained in these printed instructions outlines the most recently recommended processes involving Lug Nut Torque and takes precedent over any information regarding Lug Nut Torque shown in your Lippert or Dexter Owner’s Manuals." I put the pertinent portion in bold. As an old aircraft mechanic and a retired safety inspector I have to put my two cents in. First always go by the owners manual when it addresses the area you are working on, if it doesn't cover what you need then go to the component manufacturers manual. It's nice to call the Mfg. or the component Mfg. but make sure to get them to forward the information they give you in an email or snail mail. If that doesn't happen then come to this forum. I know I have gotten a lot of great information here that has helped prevent issues and made life easier.

As Keystone says don't torque the lug nuts before each trip "Check torque before every trip."

mazboy
09-19-2018, 04:26 AM
110-120 is fine...don't over think it.