SECTION 4 - SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE
3121224
– Triple-L-Trailer –
4-19
Lug Nuts
It is extremely important to apply and maintain proper
wheel mounting torque on the trailer axle. Torque
wrenches are the best method to ensure the proper
amount of torque is being applied to a nut.
NOTE:
Wheel nuts must be installed and maintained at the
proper torque to prevent loose wheels, broken studs,
and possible dangerous separation of wheel from
the axle. Be sure to use only the nuts matched to the
cone angle of the wheel.
Tighten the lug nuts to the proper torque for the axle size
on your trailer, to prevent wheels from coming loose. Use
a torque wrench to tighten the fasteners. If you do not
have a torque wrench, tighten the fasteners with a lug
wrench as much as you can, then have a service garage
or dealer tighten the lug nuts to the proper torque. Over-
tightening will result in breaking the studs or permanently
deforming the mounting stud holes in the wheels. Be sure
to use only the nuts matched to the cone angle of the
wheel. The proper procedure for attaching wheels is as
follows:
1. Start all nuts by hand to prevent cross threading.
2. Tighten nuts in the following sequence:
3. The tightening of the nuts should be done in stages.
Following the recommended sequence, tighten nuts
per wheel torque chart.
4. Wheel nuts should be torqued before first road use
and after each wheel removal. Check and torque
after the first 10 miles, 25 miles, and again at 50
miles. Check periodically thereafter.
Lug nuts may loosen right after a wheel is mounted
to a hub. When driving on a remounted wheel,
check to see if the lug nuts are tight after the first 10,
25 and 50 miles of driving and visually inspect
before each tow thereafter.
CHECK LUG NUTS FOR TIGHTNESS ON A NEW TRAILER OR
WHEN WHEEL(S) HAVE BEEN REMOUNTED AFTER THE FIRST
10, 25 AND 50 MILES OF DRIVING.
METAL CREEP BETWEEN THE WHEEL RIM AND LUG NUTS WILL
RESULT IN A WHEEL COMING OFF, LEADING TO DEATH OR
SERIOUS INJURY.
Wheels
If the trailer has been struck, or impacted, on or near the
wheels, or if the trailer has struck a curb, inspect for dam-
age (i.e. being out of round); and replace any damaged
wheel. Inspect the wheels for damage every year, even if
no obvious impact has occurred.
4.13 UNSEALED BEARINGS (HUBS)
If your trailer has unsealed axle bearings, they must be
inspected and lubricated once a year or 12,000 miles to
insure safe operation of your trailer.
If a trailer wheel bearing is immersed in water, it must be
replaced.
If your trailer has not been used for an extended amount
of time, have the bearings inspected and packed more
frequently, at least every six months and prior to use.
Table 4-5. Wheel Torque Chart
TORQUE SEQUENCE (ft lbs)
WHEEL SIZE
1st Stage
2nd Stage
3rd Stage
12 inch
20-25
35-40
50-75
13 inch
20-25
35-40
50-75
14.5 Inch
20-25
35-40
90-120
15 Inch
20-25
50-60
90-120
16 Inch
20-25
50-60
90-120
4 BOLT
8 BOLT
6 BOLT
5 BOLT
1
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
5
5
5
6
6
7
8
