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03-18-2016, 09:35 AM
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#1
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Rivet Master
2016 27' Flying Cloud
Olympia
, Washington
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 618
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Groan: One More Replacement: Lug Nuts
One would think that buying a 28 ft trailer having a MSRP a few miles south of $90,000 would result in one's getting a trailer having quality components not needing replacement. Well, several months ago, I bought a new 2016 AS FC 27 FB & so far have replaced:
1. Marathon D-rated tires with E-rated Maxxis.
2. The two Group 24 flooded batteries with Group 27 AGMs.
3. The single-stage converter/charger with a triple-stage one.
And have also added a hard-wired, rear-view camera.
Maybe I should be thankful that that's all.
Recently, while checking the torque on the lug nuts, one of them "cracked," and no amount of turning the lug nut resulting in its unscrewing. Upon further inspection, what I found was that the stock lug nuts are two-piece: a steel, unplated nut covered by a chromed cap. So if the cap breaks while torquing it, it simply swivels while one attempts to remove the underlying lug nut, with the actual nut going nowhere. I removed the cap by hand, but now how to remove the underlying, uncapped nut??? None of my either SAE or metric sockets fit. Any ideas about how to get it off? (3/4" too large; 11/16" too small; 19 mm too large; 17 mm too small --- maybe a 18 mm?, which I don't have.)
Furthermore, assuming that I can get it off somehow, I don't want to find myself in the boonies with a flat tire & a broken, two-piece lug nut to remove. Therefore, one more replacement: one-piece, uncapped lug nuts all around. I can't be the first person to have had a broken lug nut cap & have been stuck with removing its underlying steel lug nut. Hey, Airstream, in my opinion, providing trailers with these capped lug nuts was a dumb idea.
__________________
Richard Wills, Olympia, WA --- WBCCI 8873, WL7Z
"Aurum": 2018 Ram/Cummins 3500
"Argentum": 2016 AS FC 27 FB
RIP "BigDog": M Harlequin Great Dane, 150 lb
"St. Rocco": M Black Great Dane, 150 lb
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03-18-2016, 09:40 AM
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#2
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Site Team
2007 30' Classic S/O
Somewhere
, South Carolina
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,436
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Try reinstalling the cap, maybe put it in the socket first. then try again to remove. Solid lug nuts exist. Sorry don't have my part number right now but they exist.
__________________
S/OS #001 2005 Dodge Ram 2500 5.9L 6 Speed
16" Michelins, Hi Spec Wheels, Max Brake, Dexter 4 Piston Disc Brakes, Carslile Actuator, Equal-I-Zer, Dill TPMS. Campfire cook. BMV-712. DEMCO 21K Lb Cast Iron coupler
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03-18-2016, 09:44 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
Biloxi
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,278
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An informed consumer is a happy consumer. Welcome to the world of cost cutting at any cost.
__________________
MICHAEL
Do you know what a learning experience is? A learning experience is one of those things that says "You know that thing that you just did? Don't do that."
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03-18-2016, 10:09 AM
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#4
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Moderator
2015 25' FB Flying Cloud
2012 23' FB Flying Cloud
2005 25' Safari
Santa Rosa Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,159
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Groan is right! We all feel the same way. You just shouldn't have to run out and buy new tires and wheels for a brand new Airstream.
As far as the lug nuts go, The quality replacement is the McGard solid chrome, part number 64010.
I guess that since Airstream provides junky tires on their expensive trailers, they should take it one step further and use junky lug nuts to mount them.
Brian
__________________
SuEllyn & Brian McCabe
WBCCI #3628 -- AIR #14872 -- TAC #FL-7
2015 FC 25' FB (Lucy) with ProPride
2020 Silverado 2500 (Vivian)
2023 Rivian R1T (Opal)
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03-18-2016, 10:09 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2014 25' Flying Cloud
Cuddebackville
, New York
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 4,346
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An 8 point socket helps a lot, but I agree the lug nuts are cheesy. The other four things you listed however were things you upgraded by choice and weren't necessary to use the trailer.
__________________
2014 25' Flying Cloud Rear Twin
2019 Ford Expedition Platinum
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03-18-2016, 10:24 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2016 28' Pendleton
Currently Looking...
Scottsdale
, Arizona
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 840
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Hi from AZ. . . yep, welcome aboard ! I also changed out the lug nuts when getting tires @ Discount Tires. (they had them in stock) for my '10 FC28. I would add to the 'oughta do' list, a smart charging converter, so you don't boil the new batteries, and a decent mattress !. . . Just re-enforces the old adage ' we loves em in spite of em' ! ! ! Regards, Craig
__________________
WBCCI 2851,4CU
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03-18-2016, 10:35 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2019 25' Flying Cloud
Sequim
, Washington
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 525
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Yes, I replaced all my lug nuts with solid chrome plated lug nuts my hitch installer had in stock. I stripped 3 in the first month (never stripped a lug nut before in 50 years of driving and changing tires) and kept replacing them with AS originals before throwing in the towel when I saw a much better alternative.
__________________
D2
"Having differences makes a difference"
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03-18-2016, 10:35 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2013 30' Classic
Greenwood
, Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 12,111
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1. tires replaced
2. lug nuts replaced
3. need new converter for AGM batteries- Which converter?
__________________
2013 Classic 30 Limited
2007 Silver Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited 5.7 iForce
2006 Vivid Black Harley-Davidson Road King Classic
1999 Black Nissan Pathfinder LE
TAC #MS-10
WBCCI #1811, Region 6, Unit 56
Airforums #70955
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03-18-2016, 10:39 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2019 25' Flying Cloud
Sequim
, Washington
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 525
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__________________
D2
"Having differences makes a difference"
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03-18-2016, 10:44 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2016 23' International
Centennial
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 1,684
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What kind of converter would you recommend?
__________________
Steve "Centennial Man"
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03-18-2016, 10:47 AM
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#11
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3 Rivet Member
1989 32' Excella
Sharon Springs
, New York
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 172
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Most folks upgrade things when the discover that the item they are replacing isn't up to the task or are towards the end of the expected life-span(as they see it). My Excella's OEM components are being upgraded because they are 28+ years old (except for the fridge). That is probably a very long life in RV years so it is expected, but everything still works and it is my choice when to change/upgrade. However, for a 2016 unit, I'd be more than a bit upset and see if there is any type of recall from the factory, doesn't cost to ask. Good luck...
JDB
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03-18-2016, 10:52 AM
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#12
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4 Rivet Member
2015 25' Flying Cloud
GILBERT
, Arizona
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 377
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I put Gorilla lug nuts on, the best.
__________________
David & Nancy Ames
WBCCI # 9403 -- AIR # 95597
2015 FC 25' RB
2013 Chevy Tahoe LTZ
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03-18-2016, 10:53 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2013 25' Flying Cloud
Wheaton
, Illinois
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 649
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Quote:
Originally Posted by moosetags
As far as the lug nuts go, The quality replacement is the McGard solid chrome, part number 64010.
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+1
Greg
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03-18-2016, 11:11 AM
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#14
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1 Rivet Member
1981 28' Airstream 280
Arvada
, Colorado
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 8
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[QUOTE=Rgentum;1764093]One would think that buying a 28 ft trailer having a MSRP a few miles south of $90,000 would result in one's getting a trailer having quality components not needing replacement. Well, several months ago, I bought a new 2016 AS FC 27 FB & so far have replaced:
1. Marathon D-rated tires with E-rated Maxxis.
2. The two Group 24 flooded batteries with Group 27 AGMs.
3. The single-stage converter/charger with a triple-stage one.
And have also added a hard-wired, rear-view camera.
Maybe I should be thankful that that's all.
Recently, while checking the torque on the lug nuts, one of them "cracked," and no amount of turning the lug nut resulting in its unscrewing. Upon further inspection, what I found was that the stock lug nuts are two-piece: a steel, unplated nut covered by a chromed cap. So if the cap breaks while torquing it, it simply swivels while one attempts to remove the underlying lug nut, with the actual nut going nowhere. I removed the cap by hand, but now how to remove the underlying, uncapped nut??? None of my either SAE or metric sockets fit. Any ideas about how to get it off? (3/4" too large; 11/16" too small; 19 mm too large; 17 mm too small --- maybe a 18 mm?, which I don't have.)
Furthermore, assuming that I can get it off somehow, I don't want to find myself in the boonies with a flat tire & a broken, two-piece lug nut to remove. Therefore, one more replacement: one-piece, uncapped lug nuts all around. I can't be the first person to have had a broken lug nut cap & have been stuck with removing its underlying steel lug nut. Hey, Airstream, in my opinion, providing trailers with these capped lug nuts was a dumb idea.[/QUO heat first beat on 12 point socket that is close an d use air gun for speed and vibration most always works for me 30 tech retired
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03-18-2016, 11:17 AM
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#15
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Rivet Master
2013 30' Classic
Greenwood
, Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 12,111
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WestieHouse
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Me, too, but...
I gotta know what I have to know what to get.
Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums
__________________
2013 Classic 30 Limited
2007 Silver Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited 5.7 iForce
2006 Vivid Black Harley-Davidson Road King Classic
1999 Black Nissan Pathfinder LE
TAC #MS-10
WBCCI #1811, Region 6, Unit 56
Airforums #70955
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03-18-2016, 11:21 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2016 27' Flying Cloud
Olympia
, Washington
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 618
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Quote:
Originally Posted by m.hony
1. tires replaced
2. lug nuts replaced
3. need new converter for AGM batteries- Which converter?
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I chose the 55 amp converter replacement kit, $213 at
http://www.bestconverter.com/55-Amp-...l#.VuwyW-IrJhE
(Recommended by Randy, the main man at Best Converter.)
The installation is supposed to take 30 minutes, but I took significantly longer (even tho I have decades of electronics experience). For the installation process, see:
http://www.bestconverter.com/Magnete...II_ep_8-1.html
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wayne&Sam
An 8 point socket helps a lot, but I agree the lug nuts are cheesy. The other four things you listed however were things you upgraded by choice and weren't necessary to use the trailer.
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While I acknowledge that I chose to upgrade & that the trailer worked without any of the upgrades, I respectfully suggest that the inherent quality of the items that I chose to upgrade etc. were, in my opinion, below the quality of usual AS components & should not have been included in a 28 ft trailer with a MSRP of approximately $90,000. Furthermore, there is overwhelming evidence presented in posts in this Forum that both the Marathon tires and flooded batteries are problematic & less than ideal, and that if AGM batteries are installed, a three-stage charger is needed. For $90,000, I would have expected the manufacturer to have ironed out & omitted components known to be problems. My false assumption!
Quote:
Originally Posted by GCinSC2
Try reinstalling the cap, maybe put it in the socket first. then try again to remove. Solid lug nuts exist. Sorry don't have my part number right now but they exist.
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The cap itself is split entirely down its side, so in my hands, at least, none of my sockets work with it.
Several of you suggest one-piece, triple-chromed, solid lug nuts, for example, by McGard. Thank you for your suggestions. I agree. So far, I've found AccuWheel LNA-12000C6 Chrome Bulge Acorn Wheel Lug Nuts (1/2"-20 Thread Size) 1.4" Tall - Pack of 24 Lugnuts for $20 on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A295M0YSJKHL0M
They've gotten five stars, & I'm inclined to give them a try.
Gentlemen & ladies, thank you for your generous & helpful comments & suggestions. This Forum has been a Godsend for me; thank you all.
__________________
Richard Wills, Olympia, WA --- WBCCI 8873, WL7Z
"Aurum": 2018 Ram/Cummins 3500
"Argentum": 2016 AS FC 27 FB
RIP "BigDog": M Harlequin Great Dane, 150 lb
"St. Rocco": M Black Great Dane, 150 lb
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03-18-2016, 11:39 AM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2020 28' Flying Cloud
Upper St Clair
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,943
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Not to down play the problems, but our Newmar Luxury 38' Coach came with two piece lug nuts as well and lets just day it cost considerably more than any AS.
Our 2015 FC with factory installed Sendel Wheels and Michelin LT tires has one piece chrome lug nuts on the wheels?
__________________
2020 28' Twin Flying Cloud
2021 F350 6.7 King Ranch
USAF Master Training Instructor (TI) & (MTI)- 68-72
Volunteer K9 Rehabilitator & Trainer
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03-18-2016, 12:14 PM
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#18
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Walnut Creek
, California
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 3,952
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The Gorrila nuts use a special spline socket. That is either a terrific idea or a terrible one depending on your perspective. I kind of like it. You may not. Can't go wrong on the McGards. We are happy with the Gorrilas and they were in stock and not so expensive.
A fibreglass hole in the water requires you add a long line and a hunk of metal for brakes, a horn and signal flares to warn others you are around, a long stick to push away or grab a parking spot, rubber balloons to defend from parking dings, a radio, a GPS, and a whole slew of other gear so you can use it with any enjoyment .... including better batteries, a multistage charger, and solar panels. Lots of hobbies cost money and the price is the same. All you can afford. Think of the money you are saving with AS.....no anchor required. Pat
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03-18-2016, 12:16 PM
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#19
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Rivet Master
2013 30' Classic
Greenwood
, Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 12,111
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Quote:
Originally Posted by paiceman
Not to down play the problems, but our Newmar Luxury 38' Coach came with two piece lug nuts as well and lets just day it cost considerably more than any AS.
Our 2015 FC with factory installed Sendel Wheels and Michelin LT tires has one piece chrome lug nuts on the wheels?
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Your trailer had the upgrade from the factory.
Many of us did the upgrade later.
Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums
__________________
2013 Classic 30 Limited
2007 Silver Toyota Tundra Crew Max Limited 5.7 iForce
2006 Vivid Black Harley-Davidson Road King Classic
1999 Black Nissan Pathfinder LE
TAC #MS-10
WBCCI #1811, Region 6, Unit 56
Airforums #70955
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03-18-2016, 12:29 PM
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#20
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4 Rivet Member
2007 25' Safari FB SE
North/East
, New Jersey
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 367
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Moosetags, thanks for the information on the lug nuts. I found the best online price for the McGard 64010 lug nuts at Summit Racing who sells them for $8.97 for a package of 4 lug nuts. I ordered 6 packages (24 lug nuts) and the shipping to NJ was $9.95.
__________________
2007 Safari 25' FBSE LS
2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD Crew Cab 4WD Duramax
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