Lug Nuts Shearing off Hub and Drum of 7,000 lb Dexter Axle

Question:

Bought camper and sheared off lug bolts around mile 250 towing home. Had an Rv place fix that hub, inspect all the others and repack bearings. They tightened lug nuts to manufacturers torque. I took trailer on road Friday evening and sheared off the same lug bolts. What can be causing this? It had been pulled 8000 Mike’s before with no issues. Montana travel trailer. 2018 3820 FK. 2 7000# dexter axles.

asked by: Eddie H

Expert Reply:

I can only make a guess and can't know for certain, but generally speaking, the two main reasons that lug nuts shear off is that they are overtightened - though you can rule that out if you are sure they were torqued to the manufacturer's specs - or that your wheels have elongated, wider holes. This would make the wheel have excessive movement on the lug nut and cause enough vibration for it to shear off.

If you need to replace the hub and drum on your 7,000 lb Dexter axle you can use one of the following:

- Dexter Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly # 8-219-4UC3

- Dexter Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly - E-Z Lube Axles # 8-219-4UC3-EZ

expert reply by: Kyle S