Caravan Wheel Loss Precautions

Shield Total Insurance, the caravan insurance specialist offers some timely advice on the need to get into the habit of checking the torque of your caravan wheels, as a means to reducing the risk of a caravan wheel becoming detached. Just as you would conduct routine checks on your caravan’s tyre pressure, tread and condition prior to any long caravanning trip.

The need for regular torquing of caravan wheel bolts, was highlighted recently when a major UK touring caravan manufacturer reported a small number of caravan wheel loss incidents, where the wheel had become detached. For safety reasons, this well known manufacturer acted quickly to recall the newly launched single-axle caravan model. The exact cause of the wheel loss in this instance is still being investigated.

Each year, caravan wheel detachments do account for a small number of caravan insurance claims made by Shield Total Insurance’s customers. In the unfortunate event that you are one of the unlucky ones, it is important that you have a comprehensive caravan insurance policy to adequately protect you against the costly damage this kind of problem can cause.

When a caravan is sold or is in for its annual service, the wheel nuts should be tightened to the correct torque (as stated in the operating guidelines of the caravan owner’s manual). Many caravan service centres will insist on you being present when this job is performed.

Checking the wheel nuts on your caravan once a year though is not enough. Really, caravan wheel nuts should be checked every time you are going to tow your caravan. If this isn’t possible, you should check them at least prior to a long journey. Remember also to check the wheel nuts after a caravan wheel has been changed. It is a simple and easy task and should only take a few minutes.

Invest in a good quality, calibrated torque wrench. It will give you good service and could prevent you from having a nasty accident. Prices range from about £25 at Machine Mart to £55 at Screw Fix.

A torque wrench with a range of at least 110 Nm is a necessary caravanning tool, as this is the most common torque setting for wheel nuts on touring caravans with alloy wheels. Steel wheeled models often have a torque setting of 88 Nm. Make sure to check with your caravan dealer, service centre, or of course the owner’s manual, to establish the correct settings for your caravan.

Always return the torque setting on your torque wrench back to zero after you have finished checking your vehicle. If you leave it set on 110 Nm it can lose its accuracy.

Wheel bolts should be tightened in sequence to guard against any potential misalignment. Don’t over tighten your wheel nuts though. It is easy to assume that ‘more is better’ but over tightening can stretch the studs or damage the threads, which will reduce (not increase) their clamping force. It is also good practice, when refitting a wheel to make sure to check the wheel nuts again after say a journey of 20 miles, in case any of the fixtures have come loose.

Shield Total Insurance offers low cost caravan insurance, no caravan age limit and the option of UK only cover. Why not get online caravan insurance quote today.

To know more about caravan insurance and the best caravan insurance policy visit http://www.shieldtotalinsurance.co.uk/caravan-insurance