Lug Nut Safety Issue

[mojoe7009]

I’m sure many Classic owners already know this but I just found out due to a catastrophic brake failure that required the wheel to be removed. The “Chrome” lug nuts on our trailers are really not Chrome lug nuts. They are lug nuts with Chrome covers attached to them. Why does that matter, you say? To remove the lug nuts requires a 3/4” socket, however, the covers often split causing them to rotate on the lug nut and the lug nut does not loosen. the next step is to use a flat screwdriver and a hammer to get the covers off so you can get to the actual lug nuts. (Photos to follow) Then the actual lug nut is something slightly smaller than 3/4” but not 11/16”. Herein lies the problem. If you have a flat tire and need to change a tire on the side of the road you need to be prepared with more than a lug wrench and a 3/4” socket or you have a problem. The repair shop that replaced the brake assembly got very frustrated trying to remove the lug nuts due to this issue.


Or you can replace them with quality, REAL CHROME lug nuts from McGard before you need to remove a wheel. Here a couple of pictures to illustrate the difference in the two and the replacement McGard packaging showing the item number:



I just replaced mine yesterday and 13 of the 24 caps were already cracked and just rotated around the actual lug nut. Which required using the aforementioned hammer and screwdriver to remove the caps to be able to get to the lug nuts and remove them. I eventually found one of my 3/4” sockets that would stay on the lug and not round them off, but each time I had to drive the nut out of the socket because it was wedged in the socket after removal. If I had not been at home with access to several 3/4” sockets I would not have been able to remove the lug nuts. That would mean being stranded on the side of the road and having to call Roadside Assistance or a mobile repair shop.

[overlander63]

Beginning during the 2017 model year, most new Airstream trailers began being equipped with solid lug nuts.

[Wayne&Sam]

Using a 6-point socket makes it much easier to deal with them.

[mojoe7009]

Originally Posted by Wayne&Sam

Using a 6-point socket makes it much easier to deal with them.

Did that as well. That’s what I meant by being at home and having access to multiple 3/4” sockets. Up until this happened I only carried one when on the road. With the new ones I will only need the one for sure now.

[mojoe7009]

Originally Posted by overlander63

Beginning during the 2017 model year, most new Airstream trailers began being equipped with solid lug nuts.

Mine is a 2017 Classic, so, not so much!

[Hans627]

Originally Posted by overlander63

Beginning during the 2017 model year, most new Airstream trailers began being equipped with solid lug nuts.

Is there a way to tell which models have solid lugs nuts prior to failure?

Do all the new AS have solid lug nuts?

Thanks!

[kendrick.l.j]

Thanks for posting Joe, I will be looking into what I have on my TT and what I need to keep with me. Truthfully, I seriously doubt I will ever be able to change a tire on the road or at home because I am just not strong enough to do it but having the right tools with me my make the repair guy happy and shorten my unscheduled pit stop.

[paiceman]

Thanks Joe, now overlander has me thinking maybe I have solid and it’s why they have not split. I’ll be checking tomorrow

[mojoe7009]

Originally Posted by kendrick.l.j

Thanks for posting Joe, I will be looking into what I have on my TT and what I need to keep with me. Truthfully, I seriously doubt I will ever be able to change a tire on the road or at home because I am just not strong enough to do it but having the right tools with me my make the repair guy happy and shorten my unscheduled pit stop.

It’s kinda like the chrome window knobs...they just look way better. I was waiting on the matching wheel locks to come in before I post an after install picture. But you should be able to tell from the picture what you have if you compare it to what you see on your trailer.

[mojoe7009]

Originally Posted by Hans627

Is there a way to tell which models have solid lugs nuts prior to failure?



Do all the new AS have solid lug nuts?



Thanks!

No way to know for sure that I have come across. All I can say is mine is a 2017 and I had the cheap covers. If they changed them later in the model year, I have no way of knowing. You should be able to look at them and tell.

[turk123]

Originally Posted by Hans627

Is there a way to tell which models have solid lugs nuts prior to failure?

Do all the new AS have solid lug nuts?

Thanks!

Yes, there is! Just remove each nut and tighten back up to torque. After doing this on 4 wheels, you will destroy four or five nuts in the process. Ask me how I know.

I believe the replacement nut you need is a "chevy" chrome acorn. About $7 for 5. Why Airstream put those fake chrome nuts on . . . . oh, don't get me started.

Just plan on replacing them all.

[mojoe7009]

64010 is the McGard number. And yes, you are right. I unfortunately destroyed 13! That’s counting the 5 the tech destroyed taking off the wheel to fix the brake. It’s an issue in my humble opinion.

[mojoe7009]

Apparently, not all 2017’s have one piece lug nuts as mentioned in another post...as turk123 has a 2017 unit as well.

[kendrick.l.j]

I just had my tires rotated while at JC, Would the cheaper lug nut covers been bent, warped, destroyed, therefore discovered in the process of rotating the tires? I know they used an impact wrench but I also watched as they used a torque wrench set to 110. Is it possible I have the solid lugs? It still dark out but I will go look when the sun comes up.

[paiceman]

Lauri

My wheels were rotated at JC and a set of brakes replaced as the Dexter "Never Lube" bearings leaked all over the brakes. So, both the bearings and brakes were replaced on one side. I actually did not think about the lug nuts, at the time, but will check today as to whether I have solid, which I suspect I do as I stopped at 25 miles and again at 100 miles to check the torque on each lug nut and they seemed fine.

[VaTravelers]

My 2017 Serenity came with the 2 piece lug nut. I first discovered this on the road when I torqued my wheels. I replaced them all when I got home as well as the wheels with 16 inch rims and Michelin tires. If you use a 6 point socket and keep it tight against the rim you can minimize the spinning. I only had two do that.

[heslinhotel]

Don't be lulled into a false sense of security after replacing lug nuts on trailer. You could face the same problem on your tow vehicle. I had same issue on my F-150 after getting tires rotated at a tire store. They said it was a common problem, water gets between lug nut and chrome covers then can freeze causing covers to expand. The actual size of lugs with covers is a METRIC size due to covers (23mm I believe). I have had this problem on AS trailers going back to 1989. I would recommend everyone check and replace capped lugs on all wheels.

[bwoodtx]

Solid chrome lug nuts can be purchased at Costco if you have one on your area.

[jnm30327]

For increased security, I bought a set of locking lug nuts which prevent removing the tires without a special key. I was worried that putting a boot on the trailer could be circumvented by removing the tire with the boot as my trailer has two axles.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Tyvekcat]

Yeah, I swapped out the lugnuts on the AS also, after reading another thread on here somewhere about the silly two-piece ones. The good thing is, both Jeeps use the same McGard lugnuts, as the AS, 64010. I have been swapping those out on the 2016 wrangler.
On the older 98 wrangler, they still look good as new. I had replaced those way back in 03.
Good stuff. Made in the USA.
Have a good one.