Groan: One More Replacement: Lug Nuts

[Rgentum]

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.

[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.

[AWCHIEF]

An informed consumer is a happy consumer. Welcome to the world of cost cutting at any cost.

[moosetags]

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

[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.

[RamblinManGa]

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

[WestieHouse]

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.

[m.hony]

1. tires replaced
2. lug nuts replaced
3. need new converter for AGM batteries- Which converter?

[WestieHouse]

I'm looking at Progressive Dynamics http://progressivedyn.com/mobi/index.html

Or maybe just a smart multi-stage charger from Xantrex
http://www.xantrex.com/power-product.../overview.aspx

[centennialman]

What kind of converter would you recommend?

[MAJORJDB]

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

[dames7]

I put Gorilla lug nuts on, the best.

[greghoro]

Originally Posted by moosetags

As far as the lug nuts go, The quality replacement is the McGard solid chrome, part number 64010.

+1


Greg

[Rollman]

[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

[m.hony]

Originally Posted by WestieHouse

I'm looking at Progressive Dynamics http://progressivedyn.com/mobi/index.html

Or maybe just a smart multi-stage charger from Xantrex
http://www.xantrex.com/power-product.../overview.aspx

Me, too, but...
I gotta know what I have to know what to get.


Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

[Rgentum]

Originally Posted by m.hony

1. tires replaced
2. lug nuts replaced
3. need new converter for AGM batteries- Which converter?

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

[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?

[PKI]

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

[m.hony]

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?

Your trailer had the upgrade from the factory.
Many of us did the upgrade later.


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[2dabeach]

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.