Wheel wrench thoughts

rh5555

As all of you probably know, TABs do not come with a wrench appropriate for removing the trailer wheel lug nuts should you get a flat.  In our old TV (Jeep Cherokee), the vehicle wrench fitted perfectly, but with our new TV it doesn't come close to fitting.  Amazon to the rescue: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B092HM24NC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1.

I suggest checking that you have the tools to remove your wheels before you find out the hard way that you don't.

Towhee

I carry a torque wrench with appropriate socket so I can check torque.  Not sure if a tire tool could be used. to apply the 100 lbs specified.  

Denny16

I believe the TaB wheel torque is 9lbs (for the TaB400)  not 100 lbs..    
But use the torque value referenced In your manual.
 cheers I

Slackers

Good point @rh5555 - Fortunately for us the lugs on the Tab and TV are identical (after I replaced the cracked acorn nuts with solid versions).  We have a long-handled tilting socket wrench and socket for the lugs.  Our torque wrench usually stays at home (guess I'm a gambler) but it makes sense to bring it.

ScottG

I carry a T-bar with multiple sockets, two of which match my tow vehicle and the T@B. A T-bar also may provide a bit more leverage than a standard wrench for breaking lug nuts loose.

I also leave the torque wrench at home. For changing a wheel on the side of the road I'm confident I can tighten the nuts securely, but I doubt I'm strong enough to actually damage anthing from over-torqueing.  ;-)  YMMV.

techietab

A more convenient and versatile form of the T-bar that I keep handy in the back of my tow vehicle: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015DJ8A40/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

(You can move the bars across both axes for better leverage)

tabiphile

Γ=r×F=rFsin(θ)
If you eat your Wheaties you might be able to budge the lug nuts with that....but probably not.
A proper breaker bar or torque wrench with the proper socket should be in every campers gear.
You need to be able to remove the lug nuts that some jackhammer mechanic torqued to 110 pounds. You need to reinstall them to the correct tightness and then re-check them after 50 and then another 50 miles.
These Amazon tools do not fit the bill. Also, if you have decided to protect your wheels with locking lugs, have a plan for how to remove the wheel if the tool strips (it will) or if you (or your shop) lose it. 
1/2 in. Drive Click Type Torque Wrench (harborfreight.com)

scott14

@denny16 - Are you sure about the 90 ft-lbs?  I find in the 2022 T@b 320 manual where it shows 110 ft-lbs.  See attached PDF snap shot.  I have been using 110... so if this is not right, I will change my value.

Thanks

CanadianTabber

For Canadians this is pretty nifty...an expandable lug wrench from Canadian Tire...fits our 2021 Tab nuts perfectly...now to just find a perfect jack!

Slackers

PSA: A torque wrench should not be used to loosen lug nuts.

techietab

tabiphile said:

Γ=r×F=rFsin(θ)
If you eat your Wheaties you might be able to budge the lug nuts with that....but probably not.
A proper breaker bar or torque wrench with the proper socket should be in every campers gear.
You need to be able to remove the lug nuts that some jackhammer mechanic torqued to 110 pounds. You need to reinstall them to the correct tightness and then re-check them after 50 and then another 50 miles.
These Amazon tools do not fit the bill. Also, if you have decided to protect your wheels with locking lugs, have a plan for how to remove the wheel if the tool strips (it will) or if you (or your shop) lose it. 
1/2 in. Drive Click Type Torque Wrench (harborfreight.com)

Ranting about 'Amazon tools', then turning around and recommending something from Harbor Freight? I can't tell if this is a joke that's going over my head, or actually serious. 

There's nothing wrong with the kit I suggested, it works fine. I've used it. I also happen to have a torque wrench that costs an order of magnitude more than your recommended tool that I'm quite happy with for situations when I'm not stuck on the side of the road and need a quick fix.

Remember the context of the thread here - OP is discussing what to use when you get a flat. That rarely happens in the driveway, and most of us don't bother to haul a torque wrench around.

dsfdogs

At Verna's recommendation, I bought this expandable lug wrench/breaker bar and was able to loosen the lugnuts.
: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RF95TDC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Towhee

@Denny16 Per the user manual for our 2022 Tab 320 s BD, correct torque for lug nuts is 110 lbs.

2. Tighten in two stages: a. First, snugly tighten the lug nuts in the proper sequence following the lug nut tightening diagram. b. Second, again following the diagram sequence, tighten each lug nut to 110 ft. lbs. using a calibrated torque wrench. 3. After you purchase your trailer (and after remounting wheels at any time) you must tighten the lug nuts at 10 miles, 25 miles, 50 miles and before each trip you take

Due to severe consequences if a wheel comes loose or comes off, I think carrying and using a torque wrench is good insurance.

Denny16

scott14 said:

@denny16 - Are you sure about the 90 ft-lbs?  I find in the 2022 T@b 320 manual where it shows 110 ft-lbs.  See attached PDF snap shot.  I have been using 110... so if this is not right, I will change my value.

Thanks

If the manual states 110 lbs, then that is what I would use.  But the TaB400 states 95 lbs (changed my previous post to correct value) and our dealer confirmed this.  

Cheers 

scott14

@DENNY16 Understand and appreciate that there may be a difference between the 320 and 409 models.  I agree that the manuals should dictate.

rh5555

dsfdogs said:

At Verna's recommendation, I bought this expandable lug wrench/breaker bar and was able to loosen the lugnuts.
: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RF95TDC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This looks really good, and I would probably have bought it instead had I seen it.

My point is that it is important to carry something to make sure you can change a tire on the road and it's best that that something always be in your trailer, not shared with your workshop (or you won't have it when you need it).  Getting lug nuts properly torqued is secondary, they just have to be really tight, and stay tight so your wheel doesn't come loose.  You can guestimate an appropriate torque based on the length of your lever arm:  My wrench is about a foot long, so I stand on the end with half my weight - 100 ft.lb near enough. ymmv.

Tip for getting a lug nut loose that some garage has torqued impossibly tight:  Before you jack your trailer up, use your jack to lift up on the end of your wrench - move your trailer a bit so the wrench arm is close to horizontal.  Once you have started it, you can proceed normally.

dsfdogs

@rh5555 yep, carry both the breaker bar and torque wrench at all times. 

MuttonChops

I'm with @CanadianTabber and @dsfdogs.
As I carry an extendable breaker bar with sockets that fit both the TaB and tow vehicle.

Had to use it on the TV this past spring, on a dusty, dry, hot gravel road . . . not my most enjoyable towing day

Binghi

I use a 21-inch steel cheater pipe in combination with my TV lug wrench. The pipe also fits my bottle jack handle and helps me jack up the trailer and TV.

Slackers

Last year we had to change TV tires on 2 consecutive trips.  On the first we pulled into a truck parking lot to do the change.  Interestingly a trailer with a load of new Tab 320s was parked there.

WayneW

 I carry a Tekton 1/2” drive 24” breaker bar with deep impact sockets for the trailer and tow vehicle. I used to rely on a 4-way lug wrench but found it wasn’t up to the task of breaking loose the lug nuts on my pickup on a very hot and dusty day. The 24” breaker bar solved the problem.