torque lug nuts

[Alpenliteman]

What is the practice of others related to torque of lug nuts on fifth wheels.... how often ?
I have a 38 ft fifth wheel and have been told to check torque before each trip.. (we are full timers and on the road).. others tell me you can create problems if torqued to often..
Advice ?

[Alpenliteman]

What is the practice of others related to torque of lug nuts on fifth wheels.... how often ?
I have a 38 ft fifth wheel and have been told to check torque before each trip.. (we are full timers and on the road).. others tell me you can create problems if torqued to often..
Advice ?

[Arctic Owl]

I CHECK the torque on my wheels before every major trip. Once they are torqued properly my experience has been they will stay torqued. Yes you can create problems with over torque. Use a good quality torque wrench & you should have no problems. I have a 10 year old 5ver & have NEVER (touch wood) had a problem with broken wheel studs or loose wheels by folloowing this proceedure. IMHO the most important issue is PROPER maintained air pressure in tires. I always check the pressure when tires are cold. I also only do the tire pressure check befor each major trip. I do a walk around EVERY time I stop for a pee break on the road.
Hope this helps answer your question.

Reg

[RustyJC]

Well, we're not full-timers, so I don't know how much this response is worth, but here goes.

I'll torque the lug nuts ASAP after a wheel has been disturbed. For example, if I have a tire replaced or a flat fixed, as soon as we get back to the storage building from the tire store, I'll retorque that wheel (and usually all of them since I have the torque wrench out). After that, I'll check the torque after ~50 miles and then again after ~200 miles. If the torque is stable (i.e., no signs of any lug nuts loosening), I'll run the torque wrench over the lug nuts every 6 months or so - usually when I'm checking battery water, etc. I've never had a problem with any backing off after the first couple of retorques after having been disturbed.

Rusty

[Jeff_in_The_Dalles]

I'm kind of a weekend RVer, but I generally go around the trailer with a torque wrench before each trip.

It only takes a minute, and I'm told that the way tandem axles scrub on tight turns tends to let things loosen up.

I just feel more comfortable knowing they are tightened properly.

[Alpenliteman]

Rusty, Reg and Jeff-
Thanks for your comments.. I appreciate your input.. Not sure what Reg is referring to... "pee break".. is this an old native process you do on the road.. ?
Thanks again,
Walt