Newby Aaks: Torqueing Trailer Lug Nuts

[RUSSELL5000]

I noticed that the owner's manual for my new travel trailer states the trailer wheel lug nuts are to be torqued before every trip.

OK, can't hurt anything, and I always checked that the trailer wheel lug nuts were tight with my lug wrench when I was checking the tire pressure on my previous travel trailer. But the manual was specific on torqueing.

Looking around, I read a thread that stated that vehicle wheels fit snugly on a hub and so the load is really carried on the axle hub and not on the lug bolts. The thread stated that trailer wheels do NOT fit snugly on the hub and so all the load is carried by the lug bolts.

Now, my trailer wheels look like they are sitting around a hub but also not really - kind of hard to say for sure. So, before I go and jack up the trailer and take a wheel off to prove it to myself one way or the other, I thought I would ask whether folks here on the TDR forum have this understanding or not.

Thanks!

 

[ScottLewis]

Trailer wheels are generally lug centric, meaning that the lugs do carry all the load of the RV. I don't re-torque before trips or on any schedule beyond using a torque wrench any time the wheels have been removed. That means at least once a year when I inspect the brakes and re-pack the bearings, which I do by hand, not with the fittings on the axle ends. I tow about 8K miles a year although it was nearly 14K last year.

 

[Dieselnerd]

I always check a couple of times after pulling a wheel. After a little initial loosening they maintain their torque. I have aluminum wheels, yours may be different. Only way to find out is to check from time to time.

 

[JLandry]

Like Ron, I check lug nut torque more often after they've been disturbed (after rotating the tires for example), then I gradually settle into a once per month check done along with other monthly chores... like checking the battery water level, etc.

Best regards,

John L.

 

[MelvinPierce]

After I take off aluminum wheels, seems like I have to retorque several times fairly soon, i.e. daily. After that, they set, and rarely need anything.

 

[TJJEEPER]

EVERY time I tow I torque the lug nuts. My rig is 37' long and probably should have been a triple axle. Depending on the previous tow I can see a couple lug nuts that will tighten up to 10 degrees of rotation. Enough to reinforce the ritual.

 

[GCroyle]

Just curious, the wheels. Are they Steel, Aluminum or Aluminum with steel lug nut seats cast in? Adding the wheel type to the answer if it actually was below torque and rotated while torqueing might be interesting to know.

 

[jelag]

All the trailers I've owned with Dexter axles had wheels that were lug nut centric not wheel/hub centric.... I've read that when you back up and cock the axles, like when you back into a parking space that works the lug nuts loose.... and I know my son and I checked the torque before an elk hunting trip... and we still lost a wheel....

I've found a plastic clip that fits over the lug nut... they are made for specific lug nut dimensions and have an indicator on them... we have them on all the school buses here... with a simple walk around... you can see if any of the lug nuts have spun loose.. with the installation of these caps... I now only check the lug nuts annually...

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Gary and Jim - I have Dexter axles with steel Dexstar wheels.

I think I'll continue with my habit of checking the lug nuts and checking the tire pressure; seems like enough evidence to reinforce that it is worthwhile. I have only noticed one movement - first time after wheel installation - but seems like a good habit.

Thanks!

 

[GCroyle]

I'm not saying don't check, just looking for a bit more to the story. Dexstar = steel?

 

[Jim W]

I check my lug-nut torque also but I use a static torque and not the dynamic torque to check them. This is the practice at Caterpillar to check bolt torque using the static torque. The static torque I use is usually around 10 to 15% less than the dynamic torque that is specified.

Jim W.

 

[TJJEEPER]

My rig has aluminum wheels. They REALLY lay over in a sharp turn (or the axle flexes).

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Gary, I think Dexstar is just the name that Dexter Axle puts on the steel wheels they sell. The wheels are the common painted white steel wheel.

Jim, those are some new terms for me - what is static torque versus dynamic torque?

I have a torque wrench that I put on the lug nuts, following the opposing bolt pattern.

Thanks!

 

[Jim W]

Gary, I think Dexstar is just the name that Dexter Axle puts on the steel wheels they sell. The wheels are the common painted white steel wheel.

Jim, those are some new terms for me - what is static torque versus dynamic torque?

I have a torque wrench that I put on the lug nuts, following the opposing bolt pattern.

Thanks!

Sorry for the late response. I am camping at a COE park in central IL right now. I am using the wife's I pad so the spelling and typing may not be the best.

Now static torque is the torque you used when you check a bolt or nut torque when it has been torqued already. Dynamic torque is what you used to fasten the bolt or nut to the required torque specified. IE the torque for a trailer wheel lug nut is specified( on my trailer) to115lb-ft. I will torque to this specified number but when I check the nut's torque it is at 100 lb-ft.

Jim W.