Wheels and torque

netcam
netcam Forum Participant Posts: 95
edited April 2022 in Caravans #1

Our new Trigano Mini Freestyle 290 has steel wheels. Having remembered from 10 years ago when I had an Eriba Troll that we used to use a torque wrench to check the torque of the wheel nuts before each journey, I was surprised at the handover to be told when I asked, 'don't touch them, they're been calibrated in the factory'. We bought directly from the importer, not a dealer. Also when considering attaching the wheel trims supplied, I noticed that they completely cover the wheel nuts, so wondered if I should put them on and cover them, eliminating any possibility to ever check the torque. Any thoughts?

Comments

  • eribaMotters
    eribaMotters Club Member Posts: 1,193 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited April 2022 #2

    I thought it was still best practice to check the torque a short while after the  wheels had been off and back on. I usually do this when it is back from service. I then clean the stud heads and draw a line with a permanent marker across the head in a straight line towards the centre of the wheel. You can then easily do a visual check to see if anything is working loose. You do not need to check the torque before each journey. I would also fit the hubcaps as they look nice and can be quickly popped off if needed for that visual check and piece of mind.

     

    Colin

  • clarinetman
    clarinetman Forum Participant Posts: 265
    edited April 2022 #3

    After the spate of wheels coming off Bailey unicorn caravans a couple of years ago I have always check the torque on my caravan prior to each journey, 5 mins job and peace of mind.

     

  • Lutz
    Lutz Forum Participant Posts: 1,564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited April 2022 #4

    I've only ever checked wheel torques shortly after a wheel change. As I wouldn't contemplate checking torques on the towcar I don't see shy I should do it on the caravan.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited April 2022 #5

    I tighten both car & caravan wheels without the aid of a safety net .... I've yet to have a wheel fall off in 40 years of driving & a fair few of towing. I can never quite get my head around the preoccupation/obsession of checking the torque of a caravan wheel nuts/bolts.

    And when 'checking' the torque before every journey, in theory, the bolt/nut would need to be slackened off each time. If you click the torque wrench at the torque setting, is the nut/bolt at the set torque or is it twice or three times the required torque? You'd have slacken & start again to know ....

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2022 #6

    Milenco make tell tales for caravan wheels we have used them on our last three caravans ,so have not needed the faf of checking the torque as if the tell tale have not moved the the wheel bolts are still at the recommended tensionscool

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited April 2022 #7

     ... and have you ever found a loose nut/bolt? 🤔

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited April 2022 #8

    Lost a  near side wheel on the M1 yell dealers fault so have used telltales ever since'

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2022 #9

    so the dealer didn't refit the wheel properly .... 

  • netcam
    netcam Forum Participant Posts: 95
    edited April 2022 #10

    Neither would I. But we have just got a new car and have been looking through the instructions. It says we should check the torque after the first 100 miles. We've ordered a Milenco torque wrench kit with the little metal things to put on. But I guess for it to be accurate we need to adjust the torque to the car manufacturer's handbook.

    Also, we found in the caravan manual that they recommend 110 to 120Nm. That seems weird to us as they are ALKO M12 as far as I can tell. They are steel wheels. ALKO older handbooks say the M12 should be 88Nm, but newer ones say refer to manufacturers handbook.

    We are having a mobile ALKO certified mobile caravan fitter come next weekend to fit ALKO ATC, so I am thinking I could ask him what he thinks.

  • eribaMotters
    eribaMotters Club Member Posts: 1,193 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited April 2022 #11

    As my comment above. Do you need telltales? I strike a line though the head of the bolt with a permanent marker towards the centre of the wheel. If something is working loose you will notice it.

     

    Colin

  • netcam
    netcam Forum Participant Posts: 95
    edited April 2022 #12

    Maybe not, but they were only a few quid more expensive in the Milenco kit than buying the torque wrench separately and we thought we should get one.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited April 2022 #13

    Clever bit of deduction therecool

  • jennyc
    jennyc Forum Participant Posts: 957
    500 Comments
    edited April 2022 #14

    A friend had a wheel come off his SUV not too long after a tyre change. There was a significant amount of bodywork damage. AND the tiny print on his tyre warranty made it clear that he was responsible for checking torques at a set mileage after fitting. I can’t remember how many miles, maybe 100.

    So there’s rarely been a problem, except when someone else has worked on the wheel. For the cost of a torque wrench, which will also check towbar bolts, I’d say that it’s worth the small effort after work has been done on both caravans and cars.

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