Please check your lug nuts on your trailer, I didn't and had a tire come off on my single axle trailer as I was heading to the lake. It could have been a lot worse, but it came with a monetary cost that could have been prevented. The tire didn't have a flat, it literally came off at 55 mph and rolled at least a half a mile down the road. It also sheered off all the bolts on the hub, so I couldn't put on the spare and had to get my boat towed to a trailer shop that I have used over the years. Seeing your Champ being put up on a Jerdain flat bed tow truck is a real bummer and the $275 tow job is a kick in the a$$. I know it's my fault because I hadn't checked the lug nuts in a long time, but the real kicker is that my wheels have a decorative cap that cover the lug nuts, so out of sight out of mind, but I check air pressure all the time and I've been looking at my tire tread a lot recently because I knew it was getting time for new tires and I had two different people look at my tires to get their view, but because of those caps covering the lug nuts, you can't see them and just maybe I would have noticed them as I was inspecting the tires. Make sure you check your lug nuts on a regular basis, I know I will for now on.

I need to , thanks

Will do today.

Probably need to change the hub out on the opposite side. If one side broke the other can't be in to good shape. There is a lot of Chinese steel making it into this country and the quality is horrible. I've seen a lot of broken fasters/bolts form over there that shouldn't have failed.

Sorry for your misfortune. It happened to me, too, but it was a new-to-me trailer ‘project’ for my kayak. I found a cheap PWC trailer with no title. I was taking it around to get weighed and inspected by DPS. On my way home, one of the wheels came off. The lugs were rusty, and they broke. I never found the wheel. They were going to be replaced anyway, but I would’ve preferred to have done it on my own time.

Note to OP and anyone else that pulls their boat long distances… A spare hub under the back seat would save you the towing fee. They come nicely packaged with new bearings, seals, and pre-greased enough to get your boat somewhere safe.

JR

“Preferred to have done it on my own time”

That ain’t happening. Hahaha.

Broken studs could be caused by over tightening as well as loose.

I super glued mine on so I don't have to worry about them.

Y'all are using a torque wrench? Right?


The ratings range, depending on the hub type and stud diameter. Anywhere between 55-65Ft-lb to 75-85Ft-Lb. Maybe more if you have a big boy boat with fat wheel studs.

You sure Mike Long hasn't been near your trailer?

It's important to regularly check your nuts!

The one instance I have seen with losing a trailer wheel was the brake came apart which locked up the drum which caused the wheel to shear off the lugs.

Wheel locked up and sheared the wheel studs...



I'm not using brakes anymore. Not worth risking it.

Damn. Haha. Good thing my truck wheels never fall off when I lock up the brakes. Makes a hell of a screeching noise though. Haha. Or my car, or my motorcycle, or my lawn mower, or anything else I’ve ever owned.

overtightening is one reason they they break and fall off.