Tires on pull-behind trailers can be another issue, however. New lug nuts, especially on painted rims, can loosen in initial use. Warranties on the trailer and the axle may not apply to damage caused by loose lug nuts. Check your lug nuts on your first few initial trips for up to 100 miles of use. Stopping a few miles down the road to check the lug nuts also affords you the opportunity to make sure the items on the trailer itself have not shifted and are still secure. Take this time to also feel the axle hubs and make sure they are not getting excessively hot, a sign of a bearing or lubrication problem.

Do you have the correct tools for tightening the lug nuts? Do you have a spare tire and rim in case you get a flat tire? Service stations and spare tires can be few and far between in Alaska, and many times the travel occurs on weekends and holidays when everyone is closed. Be prepared, but most importantly pay extra attention to those first break-in miles to insure trouble free travel.

Changing a Tire

1. After dismounting old wheel, remove all dirt, rust, grease and oil from stud threads. Do not lubricate threads.

2. Position wheel on trailer. Inspect to ensure full contact between mounting surface (seat pads) of wheel and mounting surface of hub or brake drum.

3. Start wheel nuts on studs.

4. Finger tighten nut (1), Then rotate wheel so that the number two is at top and finger tighten. Finger tighten remaining nuts in numerical order; always tightening nuts in top position.

5. Repeat Step 4 Rotating wheel and finger tightening nuts until all nuts are snug.

6. Tighten nuts in same fashion as described in Steps 4 and 5. Nuts should be torqued to 80-90 ft. lbs. Torque nuts after 50 miles of driving and periodically thereafter.

7. After wheels (with tires) have been mounted, visually inspect to ensure noninterference with body or other component parts, Be sure to inspect wheels in all possible positions (extreme turns, etc).

AMDS Service Department