Check Your Wheel Nuts

This story happened on: 14/09/2012

I want to share my experience with Club Together.  Can I suggest you all check the wheel nuts on your outfits at regular intervals, I will do in futrue.  I recently had a service  and my wheels were torqued up before I left the dealer, I saw him do it. Do make sure they torque for the right type of wheel, having read my handbook alimunium wheels need a higher setting than steel wheels.  I recently lost a wheel whilst towing on the A1, fortunately nobody was injured but the guy behind took the brunt of running over my wheel and it damaged his tyre wheel and suspension on teh near side front wheel, as he stopped at the same time as me he was quite polite, maybe it was the shock!  The caravan is now being repaired fortunately the motor mover and spare wheel carrier took the brunt, I was lucky that a layby was about quarter of a mile away and I could stop there.  All in all a scary experience so make sure when you have your caravan serviced you ask that the torque is set at the right setting AND check yourself 30 miles later. I was not told to check after a service or indeed was I told to check after we took delivery of our caravan. We all have enough lesure time when we holiday with our caravans so when you have a moment "lads or lassies do check your nuts!"  Finally I am not saying that the torque was wrong on my wheel after a service but as to why the wheel fell off is still a mystery. Keithster

Willbe commented on 15/09/2012 16:07

Commented on 15/09/2012 16:07

I will not go near 'approved' service agents. The usual trouble with all garages I have ever known is that wheel torque is not in their training. Usually wheel nuts ar so tight that they cannot be undone with a normal wheel brace. I carry a  torque wrench, £10 from one stop tools.

shogun04 commented on 16/09/2012 16:42

Commented on 16/09/2012 16:42

Just finished a two week break in Cornwall 960 miles there and back,checked torque settings before I went and also for return journey.Started to check torque settings after one of my neighbours lost a wheel on his month old Bailey Unicorn on his return trip from Wales never bothered before but now do.

ail

Woman sitting in camping chair by Wastwater in the Lake District with her two dogs and picnic blanket

Follow us on Facebook

Follow the Caravan and Motorhome Club via our official Facebook page for latest news, holiday ideas, events, activities and special offers.

Photo of Wast Water, Lake District by Sue Peace
Visit Facebook