Hi all,

Just bought a trailer and see that the manual says lug nuts should
be tightened to a specific tourque--is that really necessary?

The manual also says the lug nuts should be checked/tightened at
10, 25, and 50 miles after every mounting of the wheels. Again,
is that really necessary?

Both strike me as a bit excessive, and maybe implemented by the
manufacturer's legal staff.

Thanks for any suggestions!

--
Ted Heise <theise@panix.com> West Lafayette, IN, USA

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On 11/20/2022 4:57 AM, Ted Heise wrote:

Hi all,

Just bought a trailer and see that the manual says lug nuts should
be tightened to a specific tourque--is that really necessary?

The manual also says the lug nuts should be checked/tightened at
10, 25, and 50 miles after every mounting of the wheels. Again,
is that really necessary?

Both strike me as a bit excessive, and maybe implemented by the manufacturer's legal staff.

Thanks for any suggestions!

Based only on my experience changing car tires I'd say torquing
isn't completely necessary. OTOH it's a simple step and it probably
becomes more important with heavier loads. Checking the lug nuts after
you've driven on them a bit has always been an important safety measure.
Three times might be a little excessive, but I always check them at
least once.

If you don't want to buy a torque wrench most tires shops will
check your lug nuts for a small fee. Some of them will do it for free.

It's been a long time since I've seen a professional change tires
without using a torque wrench.

TB

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On Sun, 20 Nov 2022 12:57:29 -0000 (UTC), Ted Heise <theise@panix.com>
wrote:

Hi all,

Just bought a trailer and see that the manual says lug nuts should
be tightened to a specific tourque--is that really necessary?

The manual also says the lug nuts should be checked/tightened at
10, 25, and 50 miles after every mounting of the wheels. Again,
is that really necessary?

Both strike me as a bit excessive, and maybe implemented by the >manufacturer's legal staff.

Thanks for any suggestions!

Hard to say if they are "excessive". However, do you follow other
instructions in the manual? Such as lighting the Refer, the furnace,
etc.

If you are mounting the rims you would torque the lug nuts properly to
spec. I would never trust (and do not trust) some dude using a beat up
20 year old air wrench to know the proper torque or how to set the
wrench to the torque - and if he did know the spec and set the wrench -
just how accurate is the wrench?

After spending thousands on the trailer, or truck, or auto - spending
$50 to $100 on a quality torque wrench and sockets - even though it will
get used once every couple of years seemed worthwhile to me.

Over the years I have found nuts on the same wheel to vary. One nut 30
over and the next one 20 under. Carelessness or worn out wrench? Don't
know. But I always check because the guy mounting the rims most likely
does not check - he trusts a beat up air wrench.
--

Jerry O.

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On Sun, 20 Nov 2022 12:57:29 -0000 (UTC),
Ted Heise <theise@panix.com> wrote:

Just bought a trailer and see that the manual says lug nuts
should be tightened to a specific tourque--is that really
necessary?

Thanks to Jerry and TB for the feedback!

We picked up the unit yesterday, and towed it to the storage
facility. The lug nuts were still pretty tight at about 70 miles
in all--each one needed about one click with the wrench set to
~115 ft-lbs.

The dealer guy who gave us the walk through said to wash the
exterior each month and wax twice a year. That's not gonna
happen. What's reasonable here?

The storage is open air. Should I get a cover for the trailer?

The dealer guy also said the roof should be inspected periodically
for cracks, and some kind of filler added to any that are
observed. It's a Lance 1575, billed as having a seamless,
marine-grade, white TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin) single-piece
roof. Any advice on this point?

--
Ted Heise <theise@panix.com> West Lafayette, IN, USA

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On 11/22/2022 11:44 AM, Ted Heise wrote:

On Sun, 20 Nov 2022 12:57:29 -0000 (UTC),
Ted Heise <theise@panix.com> wrote:

Just bought a trailer and see that the manual says lug nuts
should be tightened to a specific tourque--is that really
necessary?

Thanks to Jerry and TB for the feedback!

We picked up the unit yesterday, and towed it to the storage
facility. The lug nuts were still pretty tight at about 70 miles
in all--each one needed about one click with the wrench set to
~115 ft-lbs.

The dealer guy who gave us the walk through said to wash the
exterior each month and wax twice a year. That's not gonna
happen. What's reasonable here?

The storage is open air. Should I get a cover for the trailer?

The dealer guy also said the roof should be inspected periodically
for cracks, and some kind of filler added to any that are
observed. It's a Lance 1575, billed as having a seamless,
marine-grade, white TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin) single-piece
roof. Any advice on this point?

Water is an RV's biggest enemy. The roofing material in not usually the
issue though. It's the seals around all the roof penetrations (vents, TV antenna, etc.). I would have the roof inspected every year if it is not
stored under a cover. As to washing and waxing, ask the "dealer guy" if
he will come out and do that for you :-). I wash mine when it is dirty
and wax when I feel like it. My RV is stored under a "carport" when not
in use. It has full body paint and with the clear coat, waxing is almost
a thing of the past.
--
--------------
In view of recent elections, it seems liberal voters have become
afflicted with Stockholm Syndrome.

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On 11/22/2022 9:44 AM, Ted Heise wrote:

On Sun, 20 Nov 2022 12:57:29 -0000 (UTC),
Ted Heise <theise@panix.com> wrote:

Just bought a trailer and see that the manual says lug nuts
should be tightened to a specific tourque--is that really
necessary?

Thanks to Jerry and TB for the feedback!

We picked up the unit yesterday, and towed it to the storage
facility. The lug nuts were still pretty tight at about 70 miles
in all--each one needed about one click with the wrench set to
~115 ft-lbs.

The dealer guy who gave us the walk through said to wash the
exterior each month and wax twice a year. That's not gonna
happen. What's reasonable here?

The storage is open air. Should I get a cover for the trailer?

The dealer guy also said the roof should be inspected periodically
for cracks, and some kind of filler added to any that are
observed. It's a Lance 1575, billed as having a seamless,
marine-grade, white TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin) single-piece
roof. Any advice on this point?

The answers all depend on your math. I think it's a good idea to
get up and take a close look at the roof at least twice a year. Maybe at
the beginning and end of your season. That way you will probably catch
any leaks before you see them inside. Leaks are one of the primary
causes of death for RVs.

If you're waxing it once a year you're probably doing more than
most folks. I only wash the exterior when it's dirty. Except in Mexico.
There you will meet people who would be happy to do the whole
job--cheap. They will find you. It's possible that I'm not a good example.

Covers are a matter of a cost benefit analysis. I'd check to see
what the manufacturer says about that plastic and do my own math. From
what you see it looks like most folks figure it isn't worth the
additional cost. In your case it might be. I'd look at what a good cover
would cost and think about what I might be saving if I give it more
protection from the environment. There isn't any place where the sun is
kind to plastic. As part of the math you need to keep in mind that even
a good cover won't last forever. The average life span is probably less
than 5 years.

TB

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On Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at 12:44:41 PM UTC-5, Ted Heise wrote:

On Sun, 20 Nov 2022 12:57:29 -0000 (UTC),
Ted Heise <the...@panix.com> wrote:

Just bought a trailer and see that the manual says lug nuts
should be tightened to a specific tourque--is that really
necessary?

Thanks to Jerry and TB for the feedback!

We picked up the unit yesterday, and towed it to the storage
facility. The lug nuts were still pretty tight at about 70 miles
in all--each one needed about one click with the wrench set to
~115 ft-lbs.

The dealer guy who gave us the walk through said to wash the
exterior each month and wax twice a year. That's not gonna
happen. What's reasonable here?

The storage is open air. Should I get a cover for the trailer?

The dealer guy also said the roof should be inspected periodically
for cracks, and some kind of filler added to any that are
observed. It's a Lance 1575, billed as having a seamless,
marine-grade, white TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin) single-piece
roof. Any advice on this point?
--
Ted Heise <the...@panix.com> West Lafayette, IN, USA

Like George Anthony said "water is your worst enemy". Believe it or not, the sun is also bad on an RV. The sun heats your roof and then it cools at night. The expansion, contraction, and basic weather cracking causes the water leaks around the vents and
such. Letting it sit idle is bad on an RV. The tires will dry out and crack, so drive it around the block every once in a while after checking lug nuts. :-)

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On Wed, 23 Nov 2022 01:53:17 -0800 (PST),
Hank <trailblazer876@gmail.com> wrote:

On Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at 12:44:41 PM UTC-5, Ted Heise wrote:

On Sun, 20 Nov 2022 12:57:29 -0000 (UTC),
Ted Heise <the...@panix.com> wrote:

Just bought a trailer and see that the manual says lug nuts
should be tightened to a specific tourque--is that really
necessary?

Thanks to Jerry and TB for the feedback!

We picked up the unit yesterday, and towed it to the storage
facility. The lug nuts were still pretty tight at about 70
miles in all--each one needed about one click with the wrench
set to ~115 ft-lbs.

The dealer guy who gave us the walk through said to wash the
exterior each month and wax twice a year. That's not gonna
happen. What's reasonable here?

The storage is open air. Should I get a cover for the trailer?

The dealer guy also said the roof should be inspected
periodically for cracks, and some kind of filler added to any
that are observed. It's a Lance 1575, billed as having a
seamless, marine-grade, white TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin)
single-piece roof. Any advice on this point? -- Ted Heise <the...@panix.com> West Lafayette, IN, USA

Like George Anthony said "water is your worst enemy". Believe
it or not, the sun is also bad on an RV. The sun heats your
roof and then it cools at night. The expansion, contraction,
and basic weather cracking causes the water leaks around the
vents and such. Letting it sit idle is bad on an RV. The tires
will dry out and crack, so drive it around the block every once
in a while after checking lug nuts. :-)

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Thanks all for the feedback! I especially liked the humor. :)

--
Ted Heise <theise@panix.com> West Lafayette, IN, USA

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