Wheel Nuts

[Mikey66]

How often is it necessary to check the torque settings? I was on the Caravan Club manoeuvering course yesterday (excellent, by the way) and the instructors said that more wheels are lost from overtightening than loose wheel nuts.

i'm checking every time we move the 'van - is it really that necessary?

 

[MikeP]

Mine get checked at the annual service every March. I would then check them before we go to Europe in the first week of August and then forget about them until the following service.

I'm not saying that's right ... it's just what I do.

 

[Cockovan]

I agree with Mike in principal but check mine before the next trip after having had it serviced, before European holiday and after any wheel has been removed for any reason.

 

[Damian]

Taking the annual service as a start point, or picking up a new van from the dealer, the wheel nut torque setting should be checked after 50km.

After that, it depends how much the van is used, and how long the anticipated tow is going to be.

Before starting a long tow is a good idea, and it is always worth checking them again before setting off for home after the holiday/break.

It is very important to only tighten to the correct torque, and the use of a torque wrench is essential.

Having wheel nuts too tight is potentially worse than not tight enough, due to wheel rim deformation.

 

[Mel]

My other half was also at the CC course this weekend, at Kimberley by Ikea. He also thought it was very good. He'd never heard of a torque wrench and now he wants one.

 

[anthony_5077518]

My other half was also at the CC course this weekend, at Kimberley by Ikea. He also thought it was very good. He'd never heard of a torque wrench and now he wants one.

What should the torque be then I have never even thought about that

PS what is this course what do they teach you

 

[anthony_5077518]

What should the torque be then I have never even thought about that

PS what is this course what do they teach you

 

[Catcher]

The torque setting for mine (steel wheels) is 90 Nm , the handbook quotes 115Nm for alloys. (The handbook also recommends that wheel nuts should be checked before every journey). I can't pretend to do it that often but I do check them regularly.

The above torque settings aren't as tight as you might think. I use a torque wrench to avoid over-tightening, the studs would certainly tighten more after the setting is reached. I have always thought that over-tightened wheel nuts stretch and are more prone to coming loose.

Went past a caravan today at the side of the road with one wheel missing.

 

[Mikey66]

What should the torque be then I have never even thought about that

PS what is this course what do they teach you

I did the manouevering course, they start with the basics of hitching up, safety checks, etc (hence the question about checking the wheel nuts) then they go onto forward driving, around ever tightening circles/figure of 8, then reversing in a straight line and around corners. They told us that reversing was easy - i didn't believe them until they showed us just how easy it can be! Well worth the money, it taught me a lot (been caravanning for 8 months) and met some nice people too.