Lug nuts for steel wheels?

[myredracer]

I've just had a need to mount the spare tire on our TT for the first time while I deal with a tire issue. The lug nuts for the alloy wheels are conical but are they the correct ones to be using with steel wheels? Or is that what's normally done? The holes in the steel wheel are quite a bit larger in diameter than the studs.

[Lynnmor]

RJsfishin wrote:
Most lug nuts have the long sholder that centers and tightens the alloy wheels, but also has the tapered end on it for centering the steel wheels. You normally don't need different nuts for the spare.

I agree. Two things to watch for is that the fancy acorn style nuts are deep enough, and that the nut doesn't bottom out on the hub before the wheel is tight. Usually not a problem, but check anyway.

BTW, I haven't encountered left hand threads for about 50 years.

[RJsfishin]

Most lug nuts have the long sholder that centers and tightens the alloy wheels, but also has the tapered end on it for centering the steel wheels. You normally don't need different nuts for the spare.

[RoyB]

This post brings up a question for me... My wheels are aluminum and wondering now if you have to use special lug nuts that are compatible with aluminum corrosion wise...

Roy Ken

[brulaz]

??
Both my trailers have came with alloy wheels but a steel spare, with no separate lug nuts for the spare. So I've always assumed there's no difference.

The xtra tall lug nuts that were on the alloy wheel I replaced work fine on the steel spare so far. Drove across the continent with it. It's still on there and going to Florida soon. Recently had the trailer into a tire and suspension shop, and they didn't mention anything about it.

The conical shape of the lug nuts fills the hole you noticed. I torque both wheels to about 110.

On the other hand, lug nuts just for steel wheels may not be tall enough to fit in my alloys. But don't think there's any effective difference in threading or mating surface.

[drcook]

I buy my lugs from a small mom and pop trailer shop near me. The prices are great as are the service. The advantage to going in person is that you can take one of the existing ones with you so that you can match up the thread pitch, unless you have a thread pitch gauge. Doesn't matter that you take one of the ones for the aluminum wheels, they will just run a new stud in to absolutely make sure.

I realize that most use a standard pitch, but it is better to buy once, than buy, pay to ship to return, then buy again.

[jodeb720]

most any auto supply should have the nuts you need, but if you want a set specifically made for trailers, etrailer.com and Best Trailer.com are both reliable and have great customer service!

[myredracer]

j-d wrote:
Suggest you carry a set of nuts appropriate for the steel spare. Also make sure you have a wrench for both nut types if they're different sizes.

Please understand that unless the left (driver) side has Left-Hand threaded wheel fasteners, those right-hand ones will want to work loose on the left. Just in the course of normal driving and maneuvering. Don't check just the right where it's curb side and might be easier access. The left is more likely to be loose.

Thanks. Both sides are right hand threads and the spare is on the curb side.

Where would I get set of lug nuts for these particular steel wheels? Would they have a step on them? There must be standard ones used for those with steel wheels and not aluminum?

Don't want to torque the nuts up too tight against the steel but I won't be going very far. But what if a person were hundreds of miles from home or a tire shop?

[j-d]

Suggest you carry a set of nuts appropriate for the steel spare. Also make sure you have a wrench for both nut types if they're different sizes.

Please understand that unless the left (driver) side has Left-Hand threaded wheel fasteners, those right-hand ones will want to work loose on the left. Just in the course of normal driving and maneuvering. Don't check just the right where it's curb side and might be easier access. The left is more likely to be loose.