Sorry if this is a dumb question, but while preparing for our last trip I was tightening the lug nuts, ( checking ) and this cover broke off one. Interesting thing is the actual lug nut does not seem to fit any of my 4 way wrenches sizes. Looks like it was a cheap way to get a shiny lug nut maybe?I am thinking about replacing all the lug nuts ( 2 piece ) with a quality one piece lug nut. Is that a reasonable solution, or just replace this one? Are they standard auto size ( thread wise )? Where to buy?2014 Coachmen Apex 21rbs dual axleBTW, How often would you have the wheel bearing packed / brakes checked? Towed about 5000 miles so far in 2 years with no problems ( I keep a check on wheel / drum temp when we travel ). Brakes seem to work fine. I do not plan on doing it myself.thanks in advance

Yes those are just cheap caps to make the lug nuts shiny.Yes that is why the inner nut doesn't fit your wrench.You can replace them with real chrome lug nuts pretty cheap.Never did like those things, but the factories are all about the mighty dollar.

Just get some McGard lug nuts of the correct size and style from Summit Racing. The McGards have a life time guarantee.

Get some solid lugnutshttp://recstuff.com/parts-accesories/trailer-parts/1-2-20-chrome-trailer-lug-nut-lifetime-warranty-wont-rust/

McGuard and Gorilla make 1-piece lug nuts. When I worked at a tire shop I had an 18mm socket for removing the lugnuts that had lost their cover.Sad, but my F150 also has the plated lugnuts.

Solution? Lug nuts are cheap, replace them...or don't and just replace one at a time. Buy a pack of 5 and replace them as they c rap out?If you can't fisher out the thread size any other way, take a lug nut to the hardware store and find the bolt that screws into it. Read thread dia and pitch.

solution to lug nut covers? | Good Sam Community

BenK
Explorer
Nov 16, 2016
Personally do NOT skimp on this kind of component...not likely to have to buy
them again...ever if taken care of...

Agree, if the OEM lug nut was torqued that high to break apart the outer covering...the
studs are most likely over tightened too...

I'd replace them all...again, not likely to have to do that again, ever if taken care of

The OP can check them often...if they will NOT hold...they have stretched past
the yield point and will NEVER be able to hold...with breakage point very near...
1ofmany
Explorer
Nov 16, 2016
riven1950 wrote:
OP here: I ordered new lug nuts online. Got a bag of 20 for about 1.10 each. Had the wheels repacked today, brakes checked, and new 1 piece lug nuts installed.
Unfortunately, the lug nuts on our fifth wheel are a bit more expensive....
riven1950
Explorer
Nov 15, 2016
OP here: I ordered new lug nuts online. Got a bag of 20 for about 1.10 each. Had the wheels repacked today, brakes checked, and new 1 piece lug nuts installed.
drsteve
Explorer
Nov 15, 2016
time2roll wrote:
1ofmany wrote:
Just had some character do a wheel bearing repack (another story)...he reinstalled the lug nuts, grossly over torque specs, breaking the caps off four of the lug nuts...after waiting about 8 1/2 hours for the job to be done I was just too tired to do my usual inspection of the job. Well, I have replaced the broken lug nuts, and they were not cheap as suggested above...nearly $40 for a pack of eight! Now I have to hope no other damage was done by over-torqueing.

Sad news is that you may need new studs to go with the new nuts.
And people wonder why so many remove their own wheels and take them down to swap the tire.
Always always insist on a torque wrench. No torque sticks or air tools for installation.

If the lugs were over torqued as badly as you say, it might be a good idea to replace them. Torque sticks are useful to prevent over tightening, but final torque should always be performed with a torque wrench. For a great explanation of proper torque procedures, check this out:
http://www.tirereview.com/the-right-torque-procedures/
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Nov 15, 2016
Yes, get some new lug nuts.

As far as repacking goes. I do mine every other year. which is about 7-8k miles. this year I`ll be replacing my brakes. they have approx. 20k miles on them. and BTW, the factory usually skimps on the grease to keep costs down. wait till you see how little grease is in there! which is why it is a good idea to repack them almost right away after purchasing a trailer.
time2roll
Nomad
Nov 15, 2016
1ofmany wrote:
Just had some character do a wheel bearing repack (another story)...he reinstalled the lug nuts, grossly over torque specs, breaking the caps off four of the lug nuts...after waiting about 8 1/2 hours for the job to be done I was just too tired to do my usual inspection of the job. Well, I have replaced the broken lug nuts, and they were not cheap as suggested above...nearly $40 for a pack of eight! Now I have to hope no other damage was done by over-torqueing.

Sad news is that you may need new studs to go with the new nuts.
And people wonder why so many remove their own wheels and take them down to swap the tire.
Always always insist on a torque wrench. No torque sticks or air tools for installation.
1ofmany
Explorer
Nov 15, 2016
Just had some character do a wheel bearing repack (another story)...he reinstalled the lug nuts, grossly over torque specs, breaking the caps off four of the lug nuts...after waiting about 8 1/2 hours for the job to be done I was just too tired to do my usual inspection of the job. Well, I have replaced the broken lug nuts, and they were not cheap as suggested above...nearly $40 for a pack of eight! Now I have to hope no other damage was done by over-torqueing.
Durb
Explorer
Sep 30, 2016
One of the first things I did after purchasing a used trailer was to swap out the lug nuts Amazon sells a 10 pack marketed for travel trailers The nuts are pictured in an earlier post. These are heavy one piece crowned nuts with thick bright chrome plating in 1/2" - 20 size. I think you will be pleased.
Weldon
Explorer
Sep 26, 2016
Would not pack wheel bearings with 5000 mikes on them.
time2roll
Nomad
Sep 26, 2016
I would be replacing asap as you have already had an issue.
No need to be on the side of the road with this.