2021 FC 25 - first lug nut torque check

[canuck_in_wa]

Hi all,

I'm getting set to verify 110 lbs torque on the lug nuts of our new trailer. It has aluminum wheels and 6 nuts. The manual states: "Remove the lug caps and check the tightness of all the lug nuts"

I tried to wiggle the caps loose with a pair of needle nose pliers but they seemed to be on there pretty tight. How do you remove the caps? I have the 4-way wrench that came with the trailer, a torque wrench and a thin wall socket set with common sizes ( https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EHK86WS ).

[uraljohn]

I am pretty sure the newer Airstreams have solid lug nuts. They used to have regular lug nuts with a press on chrome cover. Major PITA. The cover would start to slip on the lug nut and a mess was created.

As I stated, I think you should get the proper size 6 point socket, not a 12 point as they are prone to slippage, and give it a go. Congrats on your new rig.

[wayner61]

UralJohn is right. Those don't come off. Use a good fitting 6 point socket and check the torque. Then check it again after a few hundred miles. If it hasn't moved by then you will be fine.

[ZOZ]

6-pt 13/16", 110 ft/lb aluminum wheels, solid McGard lugs.

zoz

[Mollysdad]

A 4 way "universal" wrench won't fit in the machined Sendel rims.
Mine requires a 13/16" thin wall deep socket.

[drbrick]

On our 2004 International I got rid of the stupid capped nut for the McGard and check the torque before every trip.

[mediaman]

Originally Posted by canuck_in_wa

Hi all,

I'm getting set to verify 110 lbs torque on the lug nuts of our new trailer. It has aluminum wheels and 6 nuts. The manual states: "Remove the lug caps and check the tightness of all the lug nuts"

I tried to wiggle the caps loose with a pair of needle nose pliers but they seemed to be on there pretty tight. How do you remove the caps? I have the 4-way wrench that came with the trailer, a torque wrench and a thin wall socket set with common sizes ( https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EHK86WS ).

What type of torque wrench did you buy? Hope you are enjoying your new unit, we purchased the same one in February.

[SeaLevel]

Originally Posted by mediaman

What type of torque wrench did you buy? Hope you are enjoying your new unit, we purchased the same one in February.

I've been very satisfied with this one, which I bought back in 2015:

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

Along with these:

https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-4950-2...D54TMB54KYFS5M

You might need a breaker bar too, if you don't already have one. You shouldn't use a torque wrench as a breaker bar to loosen tight lug nuts.

https://www.amazon.com/Neiko-00206A-...7FAVFN4ECM4PWR

[majorairhead]

I searched and found this online 2021 Flying Cloud Manual. It states to check lug nut tightness (same as my unit) at 10, 25, and 50 miles when new, before each trip, or any time a wheel is removed. It also gives the lug pattern.

It's interesting, I searched the pdf manual for the specific wording "lug caps" and did not find it. Maybe the manual in a new Airstream, and the pdf manual online differ.

Anyway, I think you have solid lug nuts.

https://www.airstream.com/wp-content...ers-Manual.pdf

[Mount'n Man]

We replaced all the old lug nuts with the press on caps with solid ones after the young lad at Discount Tire managed to do a number on a handful of the caps as well as the center hub caps (the manager at DT took care of the issue, but sheesh!).

I'm a slave to the torque wrench when it comes to aluminum wheels, checking the lug nuts regularly, especially after a wheel has been off. 110 ft/lbs for me.