wheel fell off

[CAN'TSKI]

I have driven trailers of all types for 30 yrs, and other than maybe an occasional glance, I have never checked the torque on lug nuts. I guess I will in the future, but if a company can't keep their nuts tight for more than a 100 miles--that is COMPANY error and negligence. I didn't have any stickers on my MAGNUM trailer. Just fix the lug nuts so they don't fall off! ABSURD!

[gride300]

i think it was more of a hub issue than lug nuts, but i will post when i find out what the problem was

[Quinner]

In my experience certain wheels require more torque maintenance then others, steel wheels generally can be mounted and forgotten while Aluminum wheels may require more maintenance. Usually if the wheels are initially installed and torqued correctly they will not require any additional maintenance.

As far as a brand new boat being delivered, I have never been told to watch or re-torque the wheels by any dealer and I would guess the majority of new boat buyers would probably never even consider checking the trailer lug nut torque let alone even own a torque wrench!

[BigBald]

I have an 07 boat...but a brand new ram-lin trailer....no sticker information notifying me of anything special. So, I'll have to add this to my list of "to-do" items.....check the air pressure. & check the lugs before heading out. And do I really have to buy a torque wrench? And I guess carry it with me in case I have to change out a flat....???

[gride300]

i just called ramlin and they are going to check and call me back. i had my hub blow out twice on my old mc single axle, but the wheel stayed on fine. they eventually replaced the plastic hub with a metal one and no more problems.

[2gofaster]

My new Magnum trailer lost a wheel within 100 miles of picking up my boat. The bearing retainer washer failed inside the bearing buddy and the wheel fell off with the hub still attached. That was after the first time I put it in the water. Luckily, I'd just pulled out and was only doing about 10mph when it happened. I had to fight with Sail and Ski in Austin over that one. They tried to tell me I needed to grease the bearing buddy every time I used it. To which I replied that WAS the first time I used it. In the end, I had to call Magnum directly to get it resolved. They ended up truck freighting a new axle, fender, tire and wheel to me.

[gride300]

i just got back with my boat. basically the trailer just sat still for a long time and the oil in the hubs all drained away from everything so it blew pretty instantly. they replaced the rear axle and changed all the hubs or hub bearings(not too sure how the whole thing works) with grease style rather than oil so it won't happen again.

[Hollywood]

i had my hub blow out twice on my old mc single axle.

And obviously that didn't teach you anything about trailer maintenance.

[gride300]

well, it's a different, trailer, im not a mechanic, and it was 100% not my fault, ask ramlin.

[CAN'TSKI]

This topic is getting a little funny. To make sure I fully understand the issue, I have come up with a fictional scenario.
NAUTIQUEJEFF: Ok my little family of Nautique lovers, lets pull the boat over to Lake Whatever for a long weekend of boating pleasure!
NAUTIQUEJEFFERINA: Oh Honey! You are so much fun and such a wonderful hubby!
NAUTIQUEJEFF: I know sweetsie. It is 350 miles to the lake, so bring the TORQUER egg timer to make sure we properly torque the lug nuts along the way. We will be averaging 70mph, so we will need to set the Torquer to ding every 45 minutes.
NAUTIQUEJEFFERINA: Got it! You know I always carry the Torquer in my purse, right next to the beautiful pink torque wrench you gave me for Valentine's Day. I love you Poopsie!
NAUTIQUEJEFF: Yeah. Yeah. Lets go!
(45 mins later on the side of I-63, NAUTIQUEJEFF is frantically searching his trunk)
NAUTIQUEJEFF: Muffin! Where is my toque wrench?!!!
NAUTIQUEJEFFERINA: OH MY GOSH! I took it out to polish it when I did the silver. It is on the dining room table. OH NO! And I took my lovely wrench out of my purse to make room for extra make-up.
LILNAUTIQUEJEFFREY: DADDY! I have my SpongeBob torque wrench you gave me on my birthday in my lunchbox!
NAUTIQUEJEFF: GOOD BOY! Let's first read the owners manual.
(45 mins later still on the side of I-63)
DADDY, it says here on page 52 that my wrench has a lifetime warranty unless it is used on a Raplin trailer--In that case the warranty is good for only 2 days.
NAUTIQUEJEFF: Then we must check our nuts quickly, my little closed bow!
(11 hours later as the family finally views the beautiful lake)
NAUTIQEJEFFERINA: Sweetbuns, do you think you could call Correct Craft and request they put some lug nuts on our next boat? I do believe I love torqueing more than wakeboarding!
NAUTIQUEJEFF: Good idea sweetroll, but I would be scared. Those things could start flying off as we speed across the lake. Let's just take more trips and make sure we all have our wrenches. As they say, "The family that torques together, Stays together!"

[Hollywood]

well, it's a different, trailer, im not a mechanic, and it was 100% not my fault, ask ramlin.

I'll agree it sounds like the trailer was neglected, I wouldn't be selling trailers that weren't road ready. I just found it funny with your experience, trailer maintenance would be on your mind to prevent even more problems.

[M3Fan]

Hollywood, looks like you showed up after he edited his post to be a little less harsh. Too bad you missed it!

[swooddc]

So when I go to buy my new car, I have to check the oil, coolant level, Trans fluid, Lug Torque and tire pressure before driving off the lot? Shouldn't have to with a boat either. Dealer negligence here.

[gride300]

thanks swooddc. even my dealer fully appologized and said they understood my frustration. that is one thing i could not get from mc shops, a simple appology/acceptance of responsibilty.

[AirTool]

This topic is getting a little funny. To make sure I fully understand the issue, I have come up with a fictional scenario.
NAUTIQUEJEFF: Ok my little family of Nautique lovers, lets pull the boat over to Lake Whatever for a long weekend of boating pleasure!........

Good job Can'tSki, but you left out the entire episode "Was that in foot-pounds or Newton-meters?"

AirTool