Pin box bolts not secure.

[lakeside013104]

We have a 200 mile trip planed later this month. We recently picked up a new 5er and from information learned on this forum, I decided to check wheel lug and pin box bolt torque. 30 of the 32 wheel lugs were up to specks and 2 were just under. I thought the pin box bolts would be about the same results, but every one of them was 20 to 40 pounds under speck and two were only slightly tighter than what you could do with strong fingers. I am sure glad I checked these bolts. I will check shackle and spring bolts next. I wonder how many folks who don’t read this forum are driving around the country with bolts that are not torqued correctly?

Lakeside

[Brokedown]

mguay wrote:

Dave H M wrote:
The pin box bolts were so loose on my Laredo that they showed some movement as evidenced by the washers being moved from the original paint line. I replaced them with grade 8, torqued them, painted around the washers and never looked back - except to check for paint separation that is.

My Laredo did the same thing and my fix was the same as yours! Been good for 3yrs and about 20k so far...

Be careful changing the grade of your fasteners! Some bolted connections are engineered with a "sheer" factor and if changed may cause an adverse effect.

[Ric_Flair]

There are different torque specs for grade 5 vs. grade 8. Make sure you know what hardware you have.

[Norskeman]

Check the trailer suspension nuts too - I found most of them "loose" on our unit.

[Cougarnewbie]

Thanks Lakeside. I have a Lippert manual. Guess I better go read it again.

[lakeside013104]

My frame is made by Lippert and the owner manual says to torque the pin box bolts to 110#.

Lakeside

[Cougarnewbie]

I don't have specs for my pin box. What number should I torque to?

[hammer21661]

mguay wrote:

Dave H M wrote:
The pin box bolts were so loose on my Laredo that they showed some movement as evidenced by the washers being moved from the original paint line. I replaced them with grade 8, torqued them, painted around the washers and never looked back - except to check for paint separation that is.

My Laredo did the same thing and my fix was the same as yours! Been good for 3yrs and about 20k so far...

I don't have a laredo and I changed my pin box twice (long story) If that thing comes off or the bolts need to be retightened I will put the nuts on the outside so I can torque them properly. It ts not as aesthetically pleasing but I believe it is better.

[mguay]

Dave H M wrote:
The pin box bolts were so loose on my Laredo that they showed some movement as evidenced by the washers being moved from the original paint line. I replaced them with grade 8, torqued them, painted around the washers and never looked back - except to check for paint separation that is.

My Laredo did the same thing and my fix was the same as yours! Been good for 3yrs and about 20k so far...

[Dave_H_M]

The pin box bolts were so loose on my Laredo that they showed some movement as evidenced by the washers being moved from the original paint line. I replaced them with grade 8, torqued them, painted around the washers and never looked back - except to check for paint separation that is.

[Pop-Pop_C]

Good you caught It. On our 2012 HH.CE. the recommendations on the wheels were
Relighting at 50,250, 1000, and every 500 up to 2500 mi.
Always ck the pin box at the same time.