Trailer tire lug tightness?

[Steve W]

How tight should trailer tire lugs be cranked? I had an incident sat morning that my tire ended up rolling across the road becasue all four lugs fell out. I had changed that tire the night before and thought I got them pretty tight.

[dave]

probably atleast 80ftlb . i dont know for sure what size tired you have or weight of your boat, but id say no less then 80. and when in doubt get a second opinion. dave

[Dan]

I don’t find myself concerned about the amount of actual ft. lbs. to apply to the trailer lug nuts. What I deem very important is to clean the threads with a wire brush and then apply a liberal amount of anti-seize lubricant to the threads prior to putting the wheel on. Then only snug (not tight) all lug nuts in a 180-degree pattern. Lower the tire to the ground and finish tightening all lugs reasonably tight with your long handle socket wrench. After 100 miles recheck.

[vetspet(ind)]

i always semi-tighten my lugs while the wheel is still off the ground to be certain it is centered properly and then i release the jack...when the tire is sitting on ground i then tighten all nuts by starting with one nut and proceed to the opposite nut...you probably already know this but just to make sure i thought i'd mention it...sometimes it really is off center when it looks like its ok...steve

[Steve W.]

It's very important to draw them tight with the wheel in the air, then let the jack down and tighten completely. If you don't do this you may not get all lugs tight, then the rest will work their way loose. As far as the correct torque, check your owners manual, it will vary with the trailer/axle.

A lost tire can be very dangerous, I almost lost my wife on the way home from our honeymoon because of somebody losing a boat trailer tire.

Now, can we talk about your/my handle?

Steve W.

[Phil T.]

My wife's car has aluminum wheels. Those lug bolts loosen soon after any tire rotation. I bought a torque wrench when they were on sale at Sears, and check the lug bolts when we get home from the first short trip after the tires have been changed. I set the torque wrench at 90 ft-lbs.

[REW]

1. As the other post suggests - insure that the threads are clean.
2. Use anti sieze compound on the bolts.
3. Use anti sieze comound on the tight fitting rim - if there is one.
4. Install the bolts and torque them in a criss cross pattern to 100 ft lbs.

This is the recommended torque for 13-14 inch tires.

If you go to a 15 inch tire, then torque them to 110 ft. lbs.

A torque wrench is a very worthwhile investment.
The problem is that one fellows - just snug is 60 ft lbs, and another fellows just snug is 250 ft lbs.

Take care

REW

[SteveW]

The name thing is a coincidence. I have been registered with this name for quite some time. Thanks for all the responses. I hope my fishing trip will never be ruined that way again.

[AquaMan]

Sorry to hear that.

Steel rims can be torqued to 110# once they have been tightened in the air. Set the tire down and finish with a good wrench.

One thing to note. ALWAYS CHECK THE LUG NUTS after a few miles and then again after about 50 miles with a torque wrench to insure proper torque is still present. Keep one in the car to check every so ofton

Tires have a way of "settling" once they have been re-seated. Because the tire is put on cold and they heat when traveled, the steel will expand and loosen the nuts if they were not set properly to begin with. No matter what the rig, check your bolts with great regularity.

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~

.·´¯° --- "It all begins and ends at the water's edge"