Forum Discussion

howardwheeler's avatar
Jul 27, 2013

How to determine torque on trailer lug nuts

I have heavy duty Alcoa forged wheels now on my fifth wheel with g rated Goodyear tires. The original steel rims wouldn't hold up. What determines proper torque? Is it the lug and nut which hasn't changed or the aluminum wheel which has? How do I know what to torque the nuts to?
  • My 16" Alum wheels, 8 studs, with G rated tires on 7000 lb axles call for 125 ft. lbs.... recheck after first 100 miles and then after 500 miles.... then before each trip..... per Dexter.
  • I'd check Alcoa website for recomendations. They made the wheel. Alum is softer than the steel stud and nut. I'd want to see it in print, not someones opinion.
  • If your studs are 9/16" 120#, 5/8" 150#.

    Alcoa's are nice, recently changed out my GY G's for GY H with 17.5" Alcoa's.
  • So it is the axle and its studs that determine torque. Great. I can look that up for they are Dexter 7000 lbs. axles.
  • I use 146 on my 19.5 Vision aluminium wheels with G rated tires for my camper. Best solution is to check the wheels website to see what they recommend though.
  • Stud size, Dexter specifies torque values for their axles and hubs if you have a Dexter axle. It's 100-125 pounds for a 1/2 inch stud on my unit.