I just spoke with Alan Sheley at Scamp with a question on lug wrench needed on the new Scamp 16. He advised me that they're having problems with standard lug wrenches and that I should carry a 11/16" socket with breaker bar for a better fit. Of course an extension will be needed as well .
Fri, 04/24/2015 - 14:34
#1
Lug wrenches
The lug wrench for my truck (Nissan Frontier) fits the lugs on my Scamp 13. But it is not deep enough to get the spare tire off the studs! You need a deep socket to get the spare off and your spare tire does you no good hanging on the back of the trailer when you have a flat. I think Scamp could very easily fix this problem by using shorter studs. Why don't they???
Sad to say, the usefullness of a tool as simple as a lug wrench comes into question. The 11/16" impact socket I bought is deep enoght to go over the length of a stud. Too bad we have to consider things like this if we're old enough to remember that lug nuts eons ago were so rugged that "rounding out" was not an easy thing to do.
Thanks for the tip. Before hitting the road, I am going to make sure we have on board a wrench and socket--and a jack!--with which to remove both the spare and the running wheels!
Let me suggest; rather than an ordinary socket, be sure to get a socket made for impact wrenches with 1/2" drive. It will then be deep enough to swallow the stud so it can properly grip the lug nut.
It is not enough to tighten your Lug Nuts, you need to properly Torque them also. Your Breaker Bar will be useful for removing the tires, but you want to use a Torque Wrench (ratchet) to properly install (and maintain) your tires. Lug Nuts can loosen over time and most axle manufactures recommend you re-check the torque after the first 100 miles and then regularly after that.
I purchased a Ratcheting Torque Wrench (click type) specifically for use on my truck and trailer (I keep it in the truck so it is always handy). I installed new tires on the camper and properly Torqued the wheels, when I checked the wheels at 100 miles several Lug Nuts had loosened. I now Torque the Lug Nuts before each trip to ensure our safety. This re-torquing takes only a few minutes for both the truck and camper.
Here is the Torque Wrench I use and can recommend:
Pittsburgh Professional 1/2" Drive Click Stop Torque Wrench
As Always,
Happy Scamping !!!
Gosh, i want to thank you guys, i thought i was all right with the car lug wrench, fit the lugs on the scamp fine, but i did not check the spare lugs. I will get the 11/16 deep socket and bar. The scissor jack on the car should work ok, i hope. Carl
Anytime we've changed trailers or tow vehicle, I always check to make sure my car's jack will work with the trailer. Sometimes, one or more of my leveling 2x6s will be needed. The car's parking brake will control any movement and I usually lower a leveling jack while the trailer wheel is off the ground. A 12v air compressor is also often useful.
Lynn