Check those lug nuts

[bwright]

The wife and I are taking advantage of the 70 degree weather this weekend for a quick trip to West Point Lake just 40 minutes south of our home. I pull of the interstate and heading through town when a truck pulls up next to me to tell me that one of my wheels and tire came off the trailer.

Those nice people actually stopped and picked up the wheel and we pulled off the road and got it from them. We have some minor damage to the skirting in the rear and the stabilizer jack, unhooked, bought some new lug nuts and finally made it to the campground.

Learned my lesson on checking those lugnuts before every trip, no matter how short it is.

Oh yea, also found a cracked and leaking water line to the toilet after hooking up at the campground. I assume from freezing over the winter.

[Bob Landry]

Wow. Someone would have replaced a wheel and not tightened them at all for them to all come off and lose a wheel. I check them on the trailer and truck before every trip. A cheapie torque wrench from Harbor Freight is a good investment and is accurate enough to torque lug nuts. I also check tire pressure every time. Anal?, maybe but I always look at something and ask myself, "What can go wrong with this?".

[Dhuhn]

Originally Posted by Bob Landry

I also check tire pressure every time. Anal?, maybe but I always look at something and ask myself, "What can go wrong with this?".

It maybe anal but I do this also. A very good habit to get into, and a very cheep insurance policy. I also check everything when I stop for a break, you never know when you find little things that may need attention that could turn into something major if not taken care of right away.

[Ken / Claudia]

I always check lugs and tire psi and start of trip and do a walk around at each stop. I look at all connections, tires, hatchs, lights etc. So, far I have found in years of Rving I forgot the antenna, steps, door handle, also left the water pump on and inside lights. I found that if I do it myself with everyone else seated in the truck it get it ALL done in afew mins.

[JRTJH]

If it's "anal" add me to that "anal list" I always check tire pressure, oil level, lug nut torque ( with a HF torque wrench) before every trip and every morning before departure during the trip. At rest stops, I've got a $14 Harbor Freight laser thermometer and I walk around checking tire and wheel temperature while my DW walks the dog. If a tire is hot, there's a problem... If a wheel is hot, is it brakes dragging or a wheel bearing? My feeling is it's better to know while it's still on the trailer rather than when I look back and realize something is missing.....

Maybe it's "overkill" maybe it's "too much worry or too much hassle" but it makes me feel better to walk around the rig, check the tires, look for loose awnings or lights, make sure all the windows are closed and the spare tire is not loose on the rear bumper, check the door and then go to the restroom. I can then get back in the truck and head back onto the interstate knowing things are "OK" rather than wondering if I should have checked.......

It's good to see that I'm not alone in feeling that way.

[bsmith0404]

Glad to know I'm not the only one checking wheel and tire temps. Guess I'm anal too.

[hankaye]

Howdy All;

Yup, I check my nuts every morning as well ...

hankaye

[Western Traveler]

Ken,
That must be left over from a past profession I retired from because I do that same walk around at every stop, including shaking the tires side to side to check the wheel bearings on the TT.

John, I had a laser thermometer in my hand at Camping World today and thought $39 was too cheap for it to work, same as the torque wrench I looked at in Home Depot the other day. The ones we use at work are high end and have to be calibrated regularly.

Now seeing you and Bob using those I guess it is time for a trip back to the store. Better than a flat hand for feeling temps and a guesstimate on torque.

[Dadstoy]

Nothing like the feeling of arriving at a camp ground and finding your trailer with 3 wheels, or 4 wheels and 3 tires.

[SLIMSHADIE]

I have some really good torque wrenches, but I bought a cheap one and leave it in the TT. If it gets stolen, pretty cheap to replace. We get ready the night before, so my ritual is when thats when I check lugs and tire pressures on both. Usaully head out after work on Friday, so while topping off fuel that morning, I check all fluids at gas station. Hook up and glance at tires and wd hitch connectios, off to wonderland

[canesfan]

Add me to the list of checking everything before I leave and at each stop. Better to take a minute or two and be safe rather than sorry later IMO.

[Javi]

Yep, check tire pressures and torque lug nuts before towing every time. Takes ten minutes along with the rest of the inspection, light, pump, antenna, hoses, power cords, trash, chairs, blocks, chocks, fishing gear, bikes, axes, stoves, refrigerator, dishes, slides, hitch, and a general inspection of the campsite... am I leaving it better than I found it?

[oldfamer]

I check my lug nuts and tire pressure before each trip. My question is has anyone found thier lug nuts loose when checking them before a trip?

[Javi]

Originally Posted by oldfamer

I check my lug nuts and tire pressure before each trip. My question is has anyone found thier lug nuts loose when checking them before a trip?

Yes... nearly every time at least one or two will move a bit before snapping the torque wrench.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by oldfamer

I check my lug nuts and tire pressure before each trip. My question is has anyone found thier lug nuts loose when checking them before a trip?

Yes, I find a loose lug occasionally. It's not every time, but I do find one or two. I can't say for certain, but it seems that if we pull straight all day and then pull straight in at the campground, without a lot of side torque on the wheels, the lugs tend to stay tight when checked the next morning. But, if we are jockeying around, with tight angles to negotiate backing into a spot, especially if the wheels skid on concrete or blacktop (as opposed to dirt/gravel), I find more lugs loose.

This doesn't happen every time, and I may only find a loose lug every 3rd or 4th trip, or maybe not for a month or more, but eventually, there will be another loose one. I can't tell you if it's because of the skidding/scruffing of the tires or if it's just a random finding.

[denverpilot]

Haven't pulled the RV much yet, but similar sentiments on the cargo/car hauler trailer... Find one lug loose about every fourth or fifth trip.

[cabinfever]

Especially with alloy wheels, lugs will tend to loosen more frequently.

[gwbillett]

Wow....I've always gone around and visually checked everything and I always checked tire pressure but I never checked the lugs.. The new trailer has alloy wheels so this will NOW become added to my check list !!!!!

[richarde]

Where do I find the proper torque setting for lug nuts?

[grampscamper]

Originally Posted by richarde

Where do I find the proper torque setting for lug nuts?

Try this.
http://cerka.ca/catalog/torque.asp