Hi all we have a caravan with alloy wheels, we haven't been away in it yet it is a 2012 Swift, my question is, is it necessary to torque the wheels every trip, thanks in advance
Quote: Originally posted by jsparkes201148 on 15/3/2017
If I remember to, yes. We take the caravan to France in April and September, I always torque the wheels before these trips.
I had a choice when I bought my caravan and picked steel wheels, with these and after checking twice after fitting (after 50 miles) I only check the nut indicators,
We learnt the hard way.
Bought a secondhand caravan which was in good condition, the owner had just had two new tyres fitted.
Took out for first trip not far from home, on way back I thought the jockey wheel had dropped. Stopped, and the near side wheel of the caravan wheel nearly knocked me over as it sped down the road.
The wheel nuts had come loose, the wheel damaged the floor of the van, we managed to get the wheel back on to drive the 1/2 mile back home. the van was a write off.
It transpired that the previous owner had removed the wheels for winter, and replaced them himself - without torque wrench. We should have checked, lesson learned. We caravaned for years but never had a problem.
It was a scary experience, am thankful that we were on a back road and near home. I can't imagine what it would be like to have been on a main road.
I torque mine up, used to do it before every trip. I now have the Milenco wheel nut indicators fitted so I visually check them now, much easier. I will still totque them after about 30 miles following a service when I know the wheels have been off.
Scary experience indeed silvertopsandra, a valuable lesson learnt the hard way - don't assume what others may have done!
Dave.
------------- Never argue with an idiot, they will drag you down to their level and beat you on experience.
Mark Twain.
I have steel wheels, just put them back on the van yesterday, tighten them up and fit the nut lock`s I bought from Al-Ko, think they were about £8 when I bought them, they are on the Al-Ko website.
If you collect a secondhand caravan especially one bought private then take a wheelbrace/tyre pump/tyre pressure gauge as a matter of course. I even check mine when collecting after a service. Nobody is infallible so best to check.
I don't bother with a torque wrench though. I have a 2 foot long breaker bar & a 19mm impact socket which does the job ok. Also one needs to ensure mating surfaces are clean so clean around hub/inner wheel surface/stud recesses with rag/meths & clean stud threads with wire brush. Best not to lubricate imo.
check torque and pressure before each trip and before return journey, having been a hgv driver for 45 years I have seen to many caravans and other vehicles that have lost a wheel owing to idle and complacent or ignorant individuals, for what is only a few minutes job and causing constant delays for proper drivers. Then again there will always be the individual ones that think it is o/k like those with 80,000 k outfits but can not afford a set of mirrors
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Topic: Do you torque your wheels
