Here's why you really need a torque wrench

One of the most-overlooked tools for every Airstream trailer owner is a torque wrench. Yet it's one of the most essential tools to carry.

True, a good quality torque wrench is a moderately expensive tool, and it will probably sit in your Tire Changing Kit most of the time.

But here's why you need one.

The aluminum alloy wheels found on all late model Airstreams are prone to allowing lug nuts to loosen in the first 50 to 100 miles of towing. To prevent them from coming completely loose, you need to check the nuts with a torque wrench at least twice after a trailer wheel is removed. 

Each lug nut must be tightened to a specific tightness, and that's what the torque wrench is for. It's a calibrated wrench that measures the tightness of the lug nuts.

For aluminum Airstream wheels this is usually 110 foot-pounds (ft-lbs) of torque. (If you use metric specifications that's 150 Newton-meters.)

Steel wheels, which are commonly found vintage trailers and spare tires, might need anywhere from 75 to 100 ft-pounds. To verify the correct torque spec for your wheels, check the Specification page in your Owner's Manual or ask Airstream about the wheels you have.

Why proper torque is so important

You may wonder why the lug nuts on a travel trailer's wheel need to be tightened with a torque wrench, when this is not needed for a car. Here's the reason:

The wheel studs (the part the lug nuts thread on to) are designed to stretch a tiny amount to clamp the wheel on. This elasticity of the stud is what helps to secure the wheel on the hub. (For more on this, see our blog "Why do trailer wheels come flying off?") 

If the lug nuts are put on too tightly, the threads on the wheels studs can stretch beyond their elastic range. In the extreme, this can cause the studs to break and the wheel will come flying off with disastrous results. Too loose, and the lug nuts will gradually work their way loose, which is just as bad.

When a wheel comes off, the wheel is generally damaged beyond repair, and the Airstream tends to get collateral body damage that can run into the thousands of dollars – like the disaster shown below, which resulted from a service technician over tightening the lug nuts.

Here's how to use a torque wrench 

Never guess at the proper tightness of the lug nuts. Even if you work with cars every day, you can't accurately estimate how tight the nuts should be. The torque wrench is the way smart professionals verify the job is done right.

Here's how to use this essential tool to make sure the lug nuts are properly torqued.

Always wind the torque wrench down to 0 after using it, and before you store it in its case.

If you prefer written instructions, download our guide:
 

A few final tips

Before putting lug nuts on, check that the threads are clean (no dirt or grease).  Wipe any contaminants off with a paper towel or clean rag.

Don't use any kind of lubricant (oil, grease, moly, anti-seize compound) on the studs. Those things will make the torque reading inaccurate and you’ll end up over-tightening the nuts. 

Make sure you choose a good quality torque wrench, and that it comes with a hard plastic storage case to protect it. We include a quality wrench in the AIR GEAR Tire Changing Kit.