How Often Should Trailer Wheel Lug Nuts be Re-Torqued

Published 08/10/2018

Question:

I have a anvil 20ft Enclosed trailer. 2- 3500# Lippert torsion axles. The trailer sits low and is a spread axle. I have broken several wheel studs on 3 different wheels. I noticed the lug nuts keep backing off. I have finally resorted to changing all the studs out. I want to know why it was happening though. Hopefully with the new studs and nuts everything will be fine. I keep checking for tightness on the studs and so far so good other than sometimes they might be just a tad lose but nothing major. I done this two three wheels. When the third one broke studs I took the other wheel of that hadnt had any problems and went ahead and changed the studs and nuts. This trailer is used to haul landscape equipment. I have weighted the trailer and its not over the sticker weight labeled on the trailer.

asked by: Thomas C

Expert Reply:

Any time you remove a trailer wheel you have to torque the lug nuts a few times so that they don't back themselves off like what you are experiencing. It is important to re-torque the lug nuts after 10 miles, 25 miles, 50 miles and then monthly after that. It's something that's easy to forget but if you follow that your lug nuts should stop backing themselves off.

expert reply by: Jameson C