How are you checking/tightening your lug nuts?

[Pooneil]

Originally Posted by Boots49

I also check the tires for wear & a general walk around checking high as well as low.

I do this also. A walk around at every stop looking at tires and the hitch. It almost always just confirms that everything is OK, but I once found a bulge in the sidewall of a tire that would have shortly led to a blowout on the highway.

I have also discovered a forgotten roof latch or similar minor problems that should have been caught when closing up and hitching. But everyone makes mistakes so its best just allow for the possibility and recheck when you stop.

[djemgoss]

I use a torque wrench with 19mm, 6 point, deep socket!

[BamaBob]

Originally Posted by Russ in CO

Hey all!

I can't get an old style 4-way on to these lug nuts. There isn't enough clearance around the wheel.
What are you using?
Thank you,
Russ

Russ,

Harbor freight and like the others have said a torque wrench with a extension is your friend.

Originally Posted by jgourlie

I haven't been checking mine...hmmmm...maybe time that I do

YEP! You should check the torque on your trailer wheels at least every other day when driving. Before you leave when camping (unless checked when you arrived.)

Easy procedure: set the torque wrench and go around the rig - shouldn't take more than 5-10 min.

And you DO have a TPMS?

[B and B]

Originally Posted by mike.t

Do you (OP) do the same on your TV?/family car? Daily driver? When you take your car in for service is checking/tightening lug nuts on their to do list? You'll ruin your camping fun worrying about stuff like this.

Agreed. I never have checked a wheel on any car or truck in owned.

I don't have TMPS

I do check tires and hubs for heat at every stop

[mike.t]

Originally Posted by BamaBob

Russ,

Harbor freight and like the others have said a torque wrench with a extension is your friend.



YEP! You should check the torque on your trailer wheels at least every other day when driving. Before you leave when camping (unless checked when you arrived.)

Easy procedure: set the torque wrench and go around the rig - shouldn't take more than 5-10 min.

And you DO have a TPMS?

Do you check your TV the same? Wife's car? Daily driver?

[Dr-G]

Originally Posted by Tom48

Ditto. Usable torque wrench can be had on sale or with coupon at HF for about 20 bucks. Set torque on wrench tighten til click. Once in a while I back the torque off to nearly loose and re-torque

Oh, and I take the torque off the wrench back to zero before I put the wrench in it's case and put it away.

Yes, this ^^^

Also don't use the torque wrench to remove the lugnuts, use a breaker bar.

I use Harbor Freight all the time for these purposes.

[mzak]

Originally Posted by mike.t

Do you check your TV the same? Wife's car? Daily driver?

Kinda what I was thinkin too!

[Russ in CO]

Originally Posted by mike.t

Do you (OP) do the same on your TV?/family car? Daily driver? When you take your car in for service is checking/tightening lug nuts on their to do list? You'll ruin your camping fun worrying about stuff like this.

Hi Mike
OP here!
No, I don't typically check the lug nuts on my other vehicles. We just bought this A-frame, last month, and already drove it over 1000 miles.
Around the wheel wells, and inside the unit it advises checking the lug nuts for tightness. Not one to have a wheel come off while going down the road, I'd thought I would put a 4 way lug wrench on it to check. It didn't fit...so I thought I would ask here. A lot of the hardware, and build quality seems a little less than I am used to. Also, This is my first RV type vehicle.
Be safe going down the road,
Russ

Thanks to all for the responses.

[Pooneil]

Happy camping, Russ.

[Russ in CO]

Thanks Tom,
We just returned from a 2 nighter. About 40 miles west of here. 9800 ft altitude!

[Pooneil]

I was in you neck of the woods last month camping and hiking, and had a blast. It's beautiful country.

[RSchleder]

Originally Posted by JD and Beastlet

Torque wrench with extension and socket.

No way to tell if your lugs are tightened correctly WITHOUT a torque wrench. This is your answer!!

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by B and B

Agreed. I never have checked a wheel on any car or truck in owned.

I don't have TMPS

I do check tires and hubs for heat at every stop

Do you check the tires and hubs of your TV also? Oh, wait a minute, at every fill up you just replace the Fords.

[BamaBob]

Tow Behinds are different than the TV/Daily Driver/Wife's Car - these vehicles have sophisticated shocks and dampening systems that minimize wheel vibration (which is the cause of lug nuts loosening). Case in point: Class A motorhomes do not need to have their torque checked (except after tire change) because of the shock absorbers on the axels. (Interesting things you learn at Camp Freightliner )


That said, I am no expert on this but these guys are:


https://rv-roadtrips.thefuntimesguid.../rv-wheels.php


As for a TPMS - it's a peace of mind thing for me and they will alert you to issues before the tire fails. If you have seen what a blow-out can do to a trailer, you too will find the $200 or so investment worth it.


Polk’s Top 7 Reasons for Using a Tire Pressure Monitoring System

[PhoneDude 8289]

3/4" six point deep socket, 3" extension and torque wrench set to 100 #'. Checked before each trip.

[SeaDog]

I think this checking lug nut torque subject is one of those topics which will never be solved. I do believe we can all agree using a torque wrench to check lugs is the preferred method. With that said, do what you feel is best for your rig and except that others will do whats best for theirs.

[B and B]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Do you check the tires and hubs of your TV also? Oh, wait a minute, at every fill up you just replace the Fords.

As a matter of fact I do check the tires and the only time things have gotten the least bit hot is on the US Interstate road systems. A Ifrared temp gun is handy. The constant rumble strip bouncing and chucking on MI roads did cause things to heat up. In Ontario most travel we do is limited to 2 lane back roads below 60 mph.

I never have torqued a wheel on any car or truck I have ever owned. Either used electric wrench that could only achieve 110 ft lbs torque or a standard X wrench and rubber mallet.

I agree when new and seating a wheel after change the torque should be checked but every trip seems excessive. My wheels were checked after I put new tires on 2 years ago.