Lug Nuts and Lug Wrench

[DWavs]

I was about to put the spare on the small trailer that I bought to carry my small 12' Jon Boat and noticed that none of the sizes of my 4 way lug wrench I carry in my Tacoma fit the lug nuts. The boat lug nuts are smaller than all 4 sizes on the 4 way.

So...do I buy a special lug nut wrench for just the trailer? I plan on attaching the spare to the tongue just using a crescent wrench but that is probably not a good idea if I had to change a flat tire, right??

Here is a pic of the trailer.

 

[ricohman]

Re: Lug Nuts and Lug Wrench

Lug wrenches are cheap. A small import wrench from the local wrecker would be nearly free.
I use a breaker bar with extension and a socket when I don't have a wrench handy.
And I always have a small bottle jack and a couple pieces of 2x4 for jacking.

 

[DWavs]

Re: Lug Nuts and Lug Wrench

I will look into purchasing one. Which brings up the next question since I am new to trailers:

It is obvious from the picture that we are not talking a lot of weight here. If I do get a flat, what type of jack do I need to carry for a trailer as small as that?

 

[DWavs]

Re: Lug Nuts and Lug Wrench

I just matched up the existing size on the wheels using my socket set. I am looking at a 3/4" lug wrench or a 4 way that contains that size.

 

[gm280]

Re: Lug Nuts and Lug Wrench

e

I will look into purchasing one. Which brings up the next question since I am new to trailers:

It is obvious from the picture that we are not talking a lot of weight here. If I do get a flat, what type of jack do I need to carry for a trailer as small as that?

Not knowing what type of jack you carry in your vehicle, it could work for you light-weight trailer. But don't wait until you actually have a flat and need to use it to find out. Take it out now and see if it will work and that you know exactly how everything will be used ahead of time...

 

[DWavs]

Re: Lug Nuts and Lug Wrench

e

Not knowing what type of jack you carry in your vehicle, it could work for you light-weight trailer. But don't wait until you actually have a flat and need to use it to find out. Take it out now and see if it will work and that you know exactly how everything will be used ahead of time...

I will check since I have only had to use it once it 12 years for the truck, but I believe it is the scissor type jack which would work fine.

Just ordered a 4 way lug wrench containing the 3/4" size.

Thanks!

 

[colbyt]

Re: Lug Nuts and Lug Wrench

I will look into purchasing one. Which brings up the next question since I am new to trailers:

It is obvious from the picture that we are not talking a lot of weight here. If I do get a flat, what type of jack do I need to carry for a trailer as small as that?

The only thing that will go low enough to get under my axle is a scissors jack. Measure from your drive or garage floor to the bottom of the axle and subtract a couuple of inches for a flat tire. A one ton or 1.5 ton will be plenty.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Lug Nuts and Lug Wrench

And make sure it fits under your axle if your tire is flat. No sense having it fit with a fully inflated tire if it won't fit when its flat.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Lug Nuts and Lug Wrench

You could probably put the jack under the frame rail, if you can get enough lift.

And you could buy larger lug nuts that would fit you existing 4-way.

 

[royal0014]

Re: Lug Nuts and Lug Wrench

Check out one of the aluminum jacks at Harbor Freight

Floor Jacks'

Small enough to fit behind the seat of your truck, but stout enough for the truck, trailer, riding mower, etc.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Lug Nuts and Lug Wrench

The typical (modern) 1/2 ton pickup jack fits under even a snowmobile trailer axle, so unless you've got an old style huge bottle jack in your tow vehicle you are probably all right. As for the lug wrench, I'd measure it and find a 4 way that fits it. I keep a collapsible 4 way and an 8 way ratchet in the pickup so that I'm prepared for what ever trailer I'm towing.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Lug Nuts and Lug Wrench

The lug nuts on the Tacoma are metric

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Lug Nuts and Lug Wrench

I'd just get one of the cheap collapsible 4-way lug wrenches and keep it in the boat. The jack from your vehicle will likely be sufficient, but just get it out and check to be sure. Also, if your spare tire is held on with nuts/bolts, make sure you have the wrench you need to remove it. Nothing worse than having a flat, and not being able to get the spare tire off because you don't have a socket or wrench to remove it!

 

[DWavs]

Re: Lug Nuts and Lug Wrench

The lug nuts on the Tacoma are metric

My 4 way lug wrench did not come with the truck. I bought it separately since the ones that come with a Tacoma suck!

 

[colbyt]

Re: Lug Nuts and Lug Wrench

I admit that my 96 Nissan isn't modern. The bottle jack that came the truck is at least .75" taller than my coil sprung trailer axle.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Lug Nuts and Lug Wrench

I admit that my 96 Nissan isn't modern. The bottle jack that came the truck is at least .75" taller than my coil sprung trailer axle.

Not modern - also not a 1/2 ton For some reason little trucks and SUV's seem to have taller jacks than full sized trucks.

 

[minuteman62-64]

Re: Lug Nuts and Lug Wrench

Need a dedicated lug wrench? Need a dedicated jack? That's what Harbor Freight is for

 

[airshot]

Re: Lug Nuts and Lug Wrench

Yep...pickup the required size 4-way and if you can't find a jack, hit the local junkyard, I have picked up small scissor jacks from a subcompact car that fold flat down to less than 3 inches for 5 bucks. Throw these item into a small gym bag or grab one from a garage sale, add a couple of your expired boat flares in case of a flat after dark, along with a flashlight and you will have all the necessary items needed in case of a flat.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Lug Nuts and Lug Wrench

These are nice because they collapse and more leverage than 4-way ones have.

Torin Jacks Lug Wrench - Walmart.com

 

[plztellme]

Re: Lug Nuts and Lug Wrench

Using the appropriate tools is always a good idea. A scissors jack with a ratchet and socket for me.