Wheel fell off

[Rustyiron]

The trailer is only about a year old, I guess the first wheel may have had a crack, but what's the chance of the spare (wheel) being bad also? (yesterday's incedent)
It might come down to locktite, he's going to the dealer today for the wheel studs and see what he thinks about it. He mentioned that he wanted to get a set of those plastic pointer/arrow's that you see on HD trucks lug nuts, I guess to visually indicate a loosened nut. I've never seen them smaller than the one's on "big trucks".
I think that he needs a heavier trailer, he's hauling a Cat mini 305.5 ex, or a 287? CTL and he says that they are about 11k & 13k. I subscribe to the go big method for trucks & trailers so not to get so close to their limits.

 

[ProjectKing]

The lugs need torqued to factory specs with a torque wrench. He needs to verify there is no paint on the studs. If so clean off paint. Also make sure he is not applying oil to studs.

Tires need to be at 80 psi. I also recommend having them balanced.

A straight edge should be used on the axle hubs to ensure the axles are mounted perpendicular to the trailer and parallel to each other. This is very important. Study tire wear patterns as well... If tire wear is odd axles are misaligned. Is trailer driven off-road over unlevel ground? Or is trailer turned sharply on paved roads often? This may stress parts if he is running over max capacity which it sounds like he is.

I would not lock tight lugs. They are not designed to be. He needs to make sure he installs quality lugs and studs. No cheap junk here. May even consider buying a new hub from Dexster to replace the one with problems.

That impact gun maybe actually over torquing lugs and causing stud failure. Loose the impact and tighten by hand with calibrated torque wrench.

 

[NorEaster]

Got a buddy with a 16k PJ tilt deck. He lost the right rear wheel a few months ago, and I mean he lost it while going down the road. After this incedent, he carries an battery impact and religiously checks all his lugs. Tonight he called me, and it was happening to the same wheel, well actually the same location, he's running his spare because his orig. went off to ??? the first time. I had no advice or suggestions for him other than to actually keep a torque wrench in the truck and use it rather than just hitting it with his (20v Dewalt) cordless impact. The first time this happened, it broke or ruined most of his studs and they were replaced. He said tonight that he didn't loose any nut's but they went back on very hard and the threads were prolly gone and will need new studs again.
The same location is what I'm wondering about, is it an issue with the hub or something that would make this happen 2 times, or just a coincedence? He was loaded but not over loaded with about 12k pounds on board each time.
Any ideas?

What model impact? The big one or just a standard 1/2" drive..

Either it's not powerful enough and the lugs aren't getting torqued properly, or it is too powerful and he is stretching the studs, which will then become loose after driving, and since they have plasticized, will be much more prone to snapping off.

 

[tcartwri]

So first of all those trailers are ~6K unladen... plus 11~13K with his equipment and he's exceeding his gross by quite a bit.

Secondly he should be blocking the rear stationary frame rail so that the rear axle doesn't take all the weight transfer while loading.

Plus while running that heavy, there should be no curb hopping or jack knife maneuvers whatsoever. Flat level running only.

 

[stuckmotor]

The goobermint came up with that brilliant idea right after a rash of transport 'wheel offs'. The fines hadn't been in place a week before the next wheel off was the OPP hauling their boat on a trailer. I bet they didn't pay any fines.

Reminds me of the days when the English courts sent people to Australia for petty theft.

 

[charles todd]

I would locktite them.

Remind me to keep you away from my lug nuts!

CT

 

[woodskiff]

No disrespect. Twice? MOp, Sheared lugs, not a torque problem. Sorry, but there is a detail or two missing here. My first guess, a bent axle,toe out tire with wobble at high speed. Also, trailer loaded heavy, rear.

 

[schmism]

Are the rims correct for the axels? If the center hole is to big all the stress is on the studs not the hub. He should check that out.

trailer hubs are not hub centric therefore the center hole just has to be big enough to clear the bearing.

 

[Rustyiron]

So first of all those trailers are ~6K unladen... plus 11~13K with his equipment and he's exceeding his gross by quite a bit.

Secondly he should be blocking the rear stationary frame rail so that the rear axle doesn't take all the weight transfer while loading.

Plus while running that heavy, there should be no curb hopping or jack knife maneuvers whatsoever. Flat level running only.

This is high among my suspiscions also. It's the same wheel location twice that has me wondering a little more as to whats going on.
Both times it's the right rear and usually someone short cutting a corner, the front axle/wheel take's the beating. I talked to him today and the dealer offered nothing but to look at things, he took off the wheel, checked things out then charged him!! It is a tilt deck and does not require rear frame blocking during loading. Told him he should use & carry a torque wrench. ….and find a new dealer!

 

[94BULLITT]

He needs to use a torque wrench. I doubt that the 20v Dewalt impact would torque enough plus you don't know how tight they are. I use a torque wrench on every wheel I put on.