Ok, just been out for the weekend in our caravan. Our first one, so be gentle!!
Its an Abi Marauder 450 CT, and whilst I was lowering the corner steadies, I realised that the nuts on two of them are getting rounded, and it was a bit of a struggle to lower and raise them. I was wondering would I be best off just getting complete new ones, or can i just get the bolts changed?
I think you will find that the bolt heads are welded to the thread that wind up the legs but I'm not absolutely certain as I have never checked to confirm this but I would have a look first and if they are then a complete new fitment will be required. One UKCS member said that he tried to repair one once but it was more trouble than it was worth and said it was easier to remove the existing leg and refit a new one.
The other thing to consider is 'Why have they rounded'. Usually because they are too tight!! Make sure the whole thread is greased and all the moving bits oiled or greased also. I do this as a matter of course every Spring.
If the nuts are really badly rounded AFTER you have cleaned and greased the threads to minimise the effort needed to operate the steadies:-
1. Sort out 4 (or however many you need) nuts the same size as your worn ones.
2. Take your caravan to a small motor garage that has a welder.
3. Disconnect your caravan battery.
4. Get the nuts welded on the end of the existing nuts.
A reasonable garage should only charge tenner or so. 10 minutes or less work.
Not pretty but should be neat enough. It'll do the job!
The best way to avoid rounding off the nuts is to use the correct size hex socket and not a multi hex socket, if there's any rounding on the corners a multi hex socket will make it worse but a hex socket will always grip.