Torque of the Wheels

[mauiboy1]

How important is it to torque the nuts on the wheels every time you go out. I had my rig out to camp once and back to the dealership about 4 times now for repairs and no one actually mentioned torque the nuts on wheels

p.s. new to this forum, so please excuse the newbie ness...

 

[luckeyd1]

It used to be torque should be checked several times, first 50 miles (this is after installing new tires/wheels), then every 200 miles for the first 500 miles. After that, check just periodically. I check mine prior to any really long trip, then don't check again till either I loosen the lug nuts or get ready to go on another long trip. To me a long trip is where I will drive over 500 miles. I only check prior to leaving the house, not prior to returning home. I have found that 99% of the lugs stay at the prescribed torque. I have tightened a lug less than 1/8 of a turn when checking and found not exactly at torque spec. Hope this helps

 

[mauiboy1]

It used to be torque should be checked several times, first 50 miles (this is after installing new tires/wheels), then every 200 miles for the first 500 miles. After that, check just periodically. I check mine prior to any really long trip, then don't check again till either I loosen the lug nuts or get ready to go on another long trip. To me a long trip is where I will drive over 500 miles. I only check prior to leaving the house, not prior to returning home. I have found that 99% of the lugs stay at the prescribed torque. I have tightened a lug less than 1/8 of a turn when checking and found not exactly at torque spec. Hope this helps

luckeyd1
Thank you, Yes is does. I just found the torque spec in the packet of stuff I received with the rig.. Happy Traveling.

 

[Retread68]

Personally, I check the lug torque every morning before I start a pull right after I check the air pressure in the tires. It is a safety item that becomes a action habit vs a forgotten "wish I had of" action. As I age many habitual actions become important or they never enter my mind. After seeing the results of a wheel coming off a trailer years ago, a strong visual was burned into my brain; so the habit of spending 6 minutes checking the torque each morning began.

For some reason (physics will explain it) my previous 5er would have 4 bolts, on the street side, back up after every 400-500 miles. (2 on each wheel, but seldom the same 2) I have not experienced that with the GD Reflection so far, but I'll keep checking them!

Just food for thought. Enjoy every day camping.
R Kaiser

 

[mauiboy1]

Thank you for the imput Retread68. As i mentioned eariier, I found the chart with the torque ratings, but it is somewhat confusing for they give you different torque ratings for the same wheel size. For example one of the listings on the chart says 16.00 x 6.75. I don't know what the width of my tires are. It doesnt mention it on the tire. What size tire do you have and what do you torque it at?

 

[Retread68]

Mauiboy1 - - Typically the tire size does not dictate lug nut torque. The lug size and wheel composition (steel vs aluminum) are the determining factors. The lugs will be sized commensurate to the wheel size. The lugs on my trailer is 1/2" and the wheels are aluminum thus the industry standard torque is 90-120 ft lbs. I typically torque mine to 110 ft lbs.

 

[KheSahn068]

So with the GD Reflections 337RLS that has the ST235/80R16 LRE tires, what pound should the lug nuts torqued too?

 

[howson]

So with the GD Reflections 337RLS that has the ST235/80R16 LRE tires, what pound should the lug nuts torqued too?

First, I noted the above is your first post so welcome to the forum. Hope you'll take a moment and post in the New Members Introductions section.

Second, your owner's manual is available in PDF form at https://www.granddesignrv.com/owner-support/publications/owners-manuals

On page 63 (of the 2018 manual) there's a chart that shows the proper torque sequence for the wheel size/stud size combination. There's also a diagram showing the tightening pattern.

-Howard

 

[chunker]

I don't check mine but them again the motorhome lugs are at 450 ft pd which is greater than any of my wrenches. For the trailer I'll check at the beginning of a trip, or after a tire removal. Trips last several weeks at a time.

 

[TheGuy]

Thank you for the imput Retread68. As i mentioned eariier, I found the chart with the torque ratings, but it is somewhat confusing for they give you different torque ratings for the same wheel size. For example one of the listings on the chart says 16.00 x 6.75. I don't know what the width of my tires are. It doesnt mention it on the tire. What size tire do you have and what do you torque it at?

I believe that is the 'wheel diameter x wheel width' not the tire width. The widthes of tires and wheels are rarely the same (at least on cars).

On old fashioned steelies, it's stamped into the wheel on the outer face. On aluminum wheels it's probably cast into the back somewhere.



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[Capkelly]

Wheel lug nuts torque. Is it really necessary to check lug nut torque before every trip. I understand need if you change a tire, or get new tires. The owners manual list correct torque sequence and way to do it. And they make a big deal about checking all the time. On my 2019 imagine xls 22rbe with 14 " wheels it is even on a lable on the outside where all weight information is. I don't have a torque wrench and I'm not sure of socket size if I were to buy one. Suggestions appreciated.

 

[DaveMatthewsBand]

Wheel lug nuts torque. Is it really necessary to check lug nut torque before every trip. I understand need if you change a tire, or get new tires. The owners manual list correct torque sequence and way to do it. And they make a big deal about checking all the time. On my 2019 imagine xls 22rbe with 14 " wheels it is even on a lable on the outside where all weight information is. I don't have a torque wrench and I'm not sure of socket size if I were to buy one. Suggestions appreciated.

I’ve never checked mine or any of the 15 cars I’ve driven over my lifetime. Shlt happens to some people, it’s the randomness of life, but not all of it happens to everyone.
I’ve had one flat tire in the past 36 years.
/shrug


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[johndeerefarmer]

Wheel lug nuts torque. Is it really necessary to check lug nut torque before every trip. I understand need if you change a tire, or get new tires. The owners manual list correct torque sequence and way to do it. And they make a big deal about checking all the time. On my 2019 imagine xls 22rbe with 14 " wheels it is even on a lable on the outside where all weight information is. I don't have a torque wrench and I'm not sure of socket size if I were to buy one. Suggestions appreciated.

I check mine about every 1000- 1500 miles miles (which for me means after every trip to CO). Occasionally one will be slightly loose. I carry impact sockets that fit all of the lug nut sizes for all of my trailers and trucks. I also carry a Dewalt 1/2" impact with a battery and charger. If I am home I will get out the high dollar digital Snap On torque wrench that my nephew gave me for Christmas a few years ago. If on the road I will just hit each lug nut a few knocks with the impact. I also have several cheaper torque wrenches, one from HF and one from Autozone (the clicker type) both seem very accurate for the price. If you do much mechanic work or plan on it then I would look into a digital one. HF has a copy of the Snap On for $200. If that's too steep for you then can get them for about $20 on up to over $100 for a clicker type.

I honestly hate the clicker type and therefore would hardly ever use it Now that I have the Snap On I seem to pull it out often to use.

Unlike Dave Mathews I have had three flats on CO trips. Two on trucks and one on a trailer. I wouldn't trade my Dewalt impact for anything. With that and a 12 ton hydraulic jack I can change a flat in no time.

 

[Capkelly]

Thanks for you good advice, johndeerfarmer. I love Colorado also.

 

[Littledog]

On my first 5th Wheel, I did not check them regularly. Although I did not lose a tire on a cross country trip, I ended up having to replace a couple of the tire bolts. I was told it was because some of them were loose and ended up stripping. I now check my lug nuts just about every time I move the rig with a torque wrench. I do occasional find one or two take an extra turn on the wrench indicating it has loosen slightly. I would recommend a regular check along with tire pressure before hitting the road. I use the TST 507 TPMS to monitor while traveling.

 

[Capkelly]

Well thanks little dog. That's what I needed to know. I will be getting a torque wrench and checking lug nuts before each trip.

 

[Scocciante]

Found this long ago

 

[Capkelly]

Thanks for that post . I saw this in owners manual, but good to review. Good people take the time and effort to assist other GD owners.

 

[Steven@147]

Thanks for that post . I saw this in owners manual, but good to review. Good people take the time and effort to assist other GD owners.

As has been said, some owners check them all the time, some every once in a while. Its not a bad thing to check the lug nut torque frequently, doesn't take a lot of time. My routine just before towing is to turn on the TST tire minder and let it update while I am checking the lug nuts. By the time I get that done the TST display is updated with tire pressures and temp. If they all look good I'm ready to go.
On both our Imagine and now our Solitude I checked the torque before each tow. Never found any of them to be loose. Maybe a click of the wrench. I use a better HF torque wrench, its good enough for the tire lug nuts. Then I went to checking them every once in a while, still the same, never found one loose. Then I installed the centramatic balancing plates on the Solitude and went back to checking the lug nut torque before each tow. Still haven't found any loose.

You'll find your groove as to what you will do before each tow.

 

[schuess60]

Best lessons are those that come from experience. This happened to me yesterday. Thank you to the gentleman that pulled along side of me and told me I had a problem. I will check mine prior to each trip. Found the wheel and tire about 5 miles up the road.