W ARNING
It is important to maintain proper wheel nut torque
to provide safe and secure attachment of the
wheel to the hub/drum.
DANGER
Be sure to use wheel nuts that are compatible with
the coin in the wheel. Improperly torqued wheel
nuts can cause the wheel to separate from the
wheel mounting surface during operation. This
could result in property damage, serious personal
injury or loss of life. Do not over torque.
W ARNING
Do not place a jack against the trailer underbelly
when changing a tire. To avoid damage to your
unit, be sure the jack is placed firmly against the
chassis frame and place it as close to the spring
hangers as possible.
Air Pressure
Remember that the air pressure in your camper tires will
not be the same as the pressure in your tow vehicle tires.
Always inflate camper tires to the correct pressure. Do
not over or under inflate. Under-inflated tires will run hot,
shortening the tire’s life and decreasing the camper’s
safe load limit. Over-inflated tires will cause a rough and
bouncy ride that can damage the camper or the cargo.
Cold tire inflation pressure is defined as a tire that has
not been used for 3 or more hours, or has been driven
less than one mile. Tire inflation pressure of a hot tire
may show an increase of as much as 6 psi over a cold
tire.
Lug Bolts
It is also important to check the wheel lug bolts regularly
for tightness. Each lug bolt should be torqued according
to the following:
TORQUE STAGES
1st Stage
Aluminum
45–50 ft/lbs
Steel
60–65 ft/lbs
2nd Stage
Aluminum
90–95 ft/lbs
Steel
70–75 ft/lbs
Check the lug bolts per the following schedule:
1. After the initial test, check again after the first
50 miles.
2. Recheck every 50 miles for the next 200 miles.
3. Thereafter, check before each trip.
Check the lug bolts following periods of excessive brak-
ing. Be sure the lug bolts are seated in the counter-sunk
holes of the wheel and keep them free of rust. Refer to
the axle manufacturers’ operation and maintenance
manual for additional information concerning the camp-
er’s wheels and lug bolts. (If the tire manufacturers’ infor-
mation differs from the above instructions, follow the tire
manufacturers’ directions.)
Changing a Tire
Safety is the first consideration if it becomes necessary
to change a tire while traveling. (If equipped with an
optional spare tire, it will be mounted on the outside rear
wall of the camper.) Use the following steps when chang-
ing a tire:
1. If the flat/damage occurs while driving, bring your
tow vehicle and camper to a controlled and gradual
stop.
2. Pull off the road as far as safely possible.
3. Turn on hazard warning flashers.
4. If the flat/damage occurs at night, use flares or
warning lights also.
5. Use a block to stabilize the opposite wheel.
6. If the wheel has a hub cap, remove it.
7. Raise the camper slightly with a hydraulic or scis-
sors style jack placed directly under the camper
frame. Do not use a bumper style jack or place any
jack under the bumper.
8. Loosen the wheel lug bolts.
9. Use the jack to raise the tire off the road.
10. Remove the lug bolts, keep them together, and
store them in an easily accessible place.
11. Remove the wheel and replace with the spare
wheel and tire.
12. Replace the lug bolts and tighten by hand.
13. Lower the wheel to the ground and tighten the lug
bolts in the sequence previously outlined. (Recheck
the torque at 50 miles, and every 50 miles thereaf-
ter, for the next 200 miles.)
14. Replace the hub cap, and store the old tire, jack,
and all tools and safety equipment. After changing a
flat, have it repaired or replaced as soon as pos-
sible. If you find yourself with a flat tire and no spare
and you must leave the camper to find a replace-
ment, be sure to solidly stabilize the camper to pre-
vent it from moving or falling off the jack.
IDENTIFICATION AND SAFETY
17
