Got me a six-sided socket ... but, why?

[WhereStream]

Went to Ace Hardware and bought a good quality six-sided socket, 13/16ths, for use on the Airstream's lug nuts.

But ... why?

I keep reading here that this is the way to go, but after coming home with one, my wife asked me to explain how this six-sided socket beats the one that came with my socket set. I didn't know what to say!

So, help me out here ...

[rmkrum]

Six point sockets fit tightly on a lug nut and don’t damage the cheap lug nuts with covers that are OEM from Airstream

Standard 12-point sockets don’t fit as well and will crack the covers off.

[Adventure.AS]

Originally Posted by WhereStream

... bought a good quality six-sided socket, 13/16ths, for use on the Airstream's lug nuts.

But ... why?

The flat sides of the six-point socket will fit against the flat sides of the lug nut creating more area of contact so the socket won't slip on the nut. A twelve-point socket contacts only at the points of the lug nut, which can get rounded off.

[AirMiles]

Now go back to the hardware store and buy another 1-7/16" six-sided socket if you have Dexter Nev-R-Lube axles. You will need this socket when you are stranded on the side of the road with a brake problem. (You also need a snap-ring pliers, breaker bar, and 150# torque wrench). Don't ask me why I know this . . .

My tool collection greatly expanded since buying my Airstream!

[SteveSueMac]

Careful - this group will quickly have you adding a Mac tools truck to your list of camping essentials! [emoji23]

[Bill M.]

The hope is that having the socket will keep you from needing it anyway. A 6 point works best for that.

[uraljohn]

I have a 2017 Int. Serenity 23D and it came with solid lug nuts. Not sure when they switched from the cheap lug nuts to the solid ones. Using a six point socket is still the preferred way to go on any nut that is going to be tightened to 110 pound feet of torque.

[AirMiles]

Originally Posted by SteveSueMac

Careful - this group will quickly have you adding a Mac tools truck to your list of camping essentials! [emoji23]

Yes, The 1-ton, dually, utility body, filled with tools, has been voted as the best tow truck for an Airstream. Your choice of brand and engine type

[Ray Eklund]

AirMiles and I are on the same 'tool program'. When owning an Airstream... be prepared for about anything.

About eight miles south of Albuquerque, NM on I-25 an Airstream was pulled over.

We, of course, stopped to offer any help... or misdirected advice.

They had a Goodyear Marathon tire separate. They had an inexpensive socket set. Their trailer had the Airstream lug nuts with that chrome sheet metal covering. Their 'lug nut socket' stripped the sheet metal off. Whatever socket was being used on the 'bare lug nut', split from one end to the other, making it worthless. When you applied 'torque to remove' the crack expanded and the socket came off the lug nut.

I offered mine. Possibly a Craftsman that Sears sold specific for the lug nut, deep socket. I have lots of tools and hardware for any problem while on the road... or rebuilding a tow vehicle in the forest. Problem solved and we went on our ways.

I also purchased 'impact sockets' for the Hitch Ball, and the Equalizer Hitch hardware. Some are unusual dimensions... Metric or USA. When you need a socket or tool and on the road... your not wanting to upgrade your tools, will cost you time and possibly Road Side Service.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

While your tool set is still inside the "return period", check and see if the wall on the sockets is thin enough to allow them to fit on the lug bolts you have .....

Bob

[SteveSueMac]

Originally Posted by AirMiles

Yes, The 1-ton, dually, utility body, filled with tools, has been voted as the best tow truck for an Airstream. Your choice of brand and engine type

Well played! [emoji3]

[rmkrum]

Don’t forget room for all the spare parts you might need also.

[WhereStream]

OK, that makes sense. Thanks for the info.

I tried the six-sided socket on the Airsream’s (a 2017 19-footer) lug nuts, and it fits fine. Solid lug nuts or the curious zapped nuts — who knows? Discerning the difference takes subtle skills beyond my reach.

The socket is a Craftsman. The Ace Hardware had a bunch of Craftsman wrenches and sockets. Go figure.

Now that I have it, I’ll never have to use it? It’s a talisman!

[WhereStream]

[INow go back to the hardware store and buy another 1-7/16" six-sided socket if you have Dexter Nev-R-Lube axles.][/I]

1-7/16ths ... now, that’s a big socket.

Didn’t know they made them that size.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by WhereStream

....

The socket is a Craftsman. The Ace Hardware had a bunch of Craftsman wrenches and sockets. Go figure.

.....

Hi

As part of the ongoing disintegration of Sears, they sold off the rights to the Crafstman name a while back. Even before that happened, the quality of the tools took a dive. I'd take a close look at any tool you buy these days, regardless of the name on it ....

Bob

[Bilbo]

Originally Posted by WhereStream

Went to Ace Hardware and bought a good quality six-sided socket, 13/16ths, for use on the Airstream's lug nuts.

But ... why?

I keep reading here that this is the way to go, but after coming home with one, my wife asked me to explain how this six-sided socket beats the one that came with my socket set. I didn't know what to say!

So, help me out here ...

You told your wife that you went to the hardware store...?

[franklyfrank]

Originally Posted by SteveSueMac

Careful - this group will quickly have you adding a Mac tools truck to your list of camping essentials! [emoji23]

My best tool is the cell phone.

[PatLee]

I learned how to torque my AS nuts (and importance of doing so) at the Salem rally this past summer. So, I bought a Tekton Torque Wrench 3/4" drive and then searched high and low for a Tekton extension bar to fit it; and finally found it on eBay (but had to buy a 3-bar set). Tekton also does not sell individual sockets so ended up buying a deep 6-socket set to fit the 3/4" drive wrench with extension bar and then discovered that the socket is too thick-sided to fit on to the AS nuts! A Home Depot person told me my set was for big rigs, not ASs and Ford F-150s. Feeling sort of stupid now. Before I start buying another set that fits my rig, would love to hear what you all use for your torque set (brand, drive, extension bar length, etc). Thanks

[jimfa440]

I just couldn't see where your existing socket was a 12 point. Sometimes the standard socket set will have 6 point sockets on the big ones.

[Al U. Minium]

Originally Posted by PatLee

I learned how to torque my AS nuts (and importance of doing so) at the Salem rally this past summer. So, I bought a Tekton Torque Wrench 3/4" drive and then searched high and low for a Tekton extension bar to fit it; and finally found it on eBay (but had to buy a 3-bar set). Tekton also does not sell individual sockets so ended up buying a deep 6-socket set to fit the 3/4" drive wrench with extension bar and then discovered that the socket is too thick-sided to fit on to the AS nuts! A Home Depot person told me my set was for big rigs, not ASs and Ford F-150s. Feeling sort of stupid now. Before I start buying another set that fits my rig, would love to hear what you all use for your torque set (brand, drive, extension bar length, etc). Thanks

1/2 inch is more appropriate for the wheels on the Airstream and even your 3/4 and maybe ton tow vehicles.

I use a Craftsman torque wrench, a 6 inch or so extension, and a 6 side deep well socket. Unless you use something at least every day, my opinion is anything better than Harbor Frieght will work.

You might want to spend extra on the torque wrench as that is a measuring tool.

I did have an old Craftsman torque wrench I bought in the 70s. But some nimrod at Carolina Motorsports Park borrowed it, supposedly to check the torque on his track car, but brought it back broken from using it as a breaker bar. Did not say a word. And folks wonder why I am a curmudgeon when they ask to borrow tools.