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We would like to advise all caravaners to torque up their caravan wheel nuts every time they go out, as ours came off when we was on a very busy road, also check when they collect a caravan after a service and thirty miles after they pick up brand new vans.

We have looked into this and have found out caravan wheels are not balanced as new from manufacturer so causes vibration to the wheels, which contributes to the loosening of the wheels nuts

This is a very serious fault with caravans, we have been caravaning for about eighteen years and had three brand new caravans and four second hand but have NEVER been informed about re-torqueing wheel nuts.

Although this is stated in the handbooks, we was never aware of this as you only look in the handbook when you are specific to what you need to  know, we assumed they were, like car wheels, and who checks car wheels for every journey.

 Safe Caravaning

The first thing I bought when we began caravanning was some thread locking compound. Use it on the wheel bolts and I've never had any of them work loose.

I still check them every journey - better safe than sorry.

I have every sympathy. This happened to us with our brand new van a couple of weeks ago. I hope no one was hurt and the damage to your caravan wasn't too bad.

Sara.

Hi and thanks for your replies, no-one was hurt but it was very frightening and the damage is £1700,  we was told that we was lucky as the wheel did'nt go through the floor, but it did overtake the car and could have killed someone !

Sue and Les

Good point OP. I always check mine before every trip - and the air pressure as well. Whilst waiting for the wife to be ready I fill in the time checking the car wheels . Oddly I never check the car wheels when I am not towing, other than for pressure!!!

I use one of these.....

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/redirect.asp?redir=http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_categoryId_165469_productId_180255_langId_-1

A year or so back it came top in some caravan magazine test

Phil