Owner`s manual

Quicksilver
22
Wheel Nut Torque
Proper wheel nut torque is essential to safe
and dependable towing. The wheel and axle
systems used in trailers are similar in many
ways to those used in cars and tow vehicles,
but they differ in several important ways.
These differences require special attention to
wheel nut torque both while the trailer is new
and throughout the trailer’s life.
Furthermore, wheels on tandem axle trailers
do not steer, and are subjected to very high
side load stress whenever the trailer makes
a tight turn. When you go around corners –
especially slow, tight ones – the wheels on
your trailer are subjected to these strong
side loads. This tends to ex the wheel and
gradually loosen the wheel nuts. Although the
materials and manufacturing methods are
maximized for this kind of service, these extra
load stresses and exing can cause loosening.
I
WARNING
It is important to maintain proper torque
to provide safe and secure attachment
of the wheel to the hub/drum. Be sure to
use wheel nuts that are compatible with
the coin in the wheel. Improperly torqued
wheel nuts can cause the wheel to
separate from the wheel mounting surface
during operation. This could result in
property damage, serious personal injury,
or loss of life.
It is critical that the wheels be properly
torqued at the start of the trip and every 50
miles for the rst 500 miles of road operation.
Although the wheels have been properly
torqued before leaving the manufacturing
plant, settling and wearing in of components
during the rst few miles of operation may
cause some loosening of the wheel nuts.
The wheel nut torque is 50 – 75 ft-lbs. on 12-inch
wheels and 90 – 120 ft-lbs. on 14-inch wheels.
ALWAYS USE AN ACCURATE TORQUE WRENCH
TO TIGHTEN WHEEL NUTS. A torque wrench
with adequate accuracy is available at most
automotive tool stores. Considering the overall
investment in the trailer, this is a very reasonable
cost. Use of a torque wrench can also reduce the
effort required to tighten the wheel nuts.
Any time a wheel is replaced, be sure to tighten
the wheel nuts, following the sequence shown
in the diagram to the specied torque. If the
wheel was replaced, check the torque again at
every 50 miles for the rst 200 miles and prior
to each trip thereafter. If you notice wheel
wobbling or hear a rattling sound coming from
a wheel, especially at low speeds, a wheel
lug nut may have come loose. This problem
is usually caused by improper tightening or
by faulty or damaged lug bolt threads. If you
have reason to believe a lug nut has come
loose, SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE AT THE
SIDE OF THE ROAD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Put up warning devices. Remove the lug caps
and check the tightness of all the lug nuts.
Tighten all lug nuts to the specied torque.
If lug bolt threads are damaged or faulty, get
professional service help. Do NOT tow the
trailer with missing lug nuts or faulty lug bolts.
I
WARNING
Do not use a size and type of tire and wheel
other than that originally provided by Livin’
Lite Recreational Vehicles, Inc. because
it can affect the safety and performance
of your vehicle, which could result in an
increased rise of loss of vehicle control,
vehicle rollover and/or serious personal
injury or death. The installation of incorrect
wheels could cause wheel separation which
could result in property damage, serious
personal injury, or loss of life.