Lug Nut Torquing; Tire Rotation; Axles And Bearings - Airstream Basecamp 2020 Owner's Manual

Maintenance
Refer to the following table for wheel specifications.
Wheel Specifications
Size/Center Size Lug Pattern
In Inches
18 x 8 / 4.5
15 x 6 / 4.5
All wheels have an offset of 42

Lug Nut Torquing

Trailer wheels must carry much higher loads per wheel
than passenger car or truck wheels. Each wheel may
carry 1000 pounds and higher. Furthermore, wheels on
tandem axle trailers do not steer, and are subjected to
very high side load stress whenever the trailer makes
a tight turn. When going around corners, especially on
slow, tight turns, the wheels are subject to very strong
side loads. This tends to flex the wheel and gradually
loosen the wheel nuts. Although the materials and
manufacturing methods are maximized for this kind of
service, these extra loads can cause stress, which can
result in flexing and loosening of wheel nuts.
Before each trip and any time a wheel is replaced, be
sure to tighten the wheel nuts, following the lug-pattern
sequence shown below. If the wheel was replaced,
check the torque every 10, 25, and 50 miles.
NOTE
A 3/4" Thin Wall Socket will be needed to tighten or
remove the Basecamp's lug nuts.
If you notice wheel wobbling, or hear a rattling sound
coming from a wheel, especially at low speeds, a
wheel lug nut may have come loose. This problem is
usually caused by improper tightening, or by faulty or
damaged lug bolt threads.
If suspicious of a loose lug nut, safely stop the vehicle
as soon as possible. Put up warning devices. Remove
the lug caps and check the tightness of all the lug nuts.
Tighten all lug nuts to the specified torque, using a
torque wrench. If stud threads are damaged or faulty,
get professional service help.
8-8
Model
5 Basecamp
5 Basecamp X
NOTE
Use a torque wrench to tighten lug nuts.
Tightening by hand or with an impact wrench is
not recommended. Torque Aluminum Wheels to
110 ft. lbs and Steel Wheels to 100 ft. lbs.Spare Tire
Carrier
The Basecamp's spare tire is held on the end of a
cable stored under the rear of the trailer using a winch
system. A ratchet, stored under the curbside dinette
seat, has been provided to assist in changing a tire. To
lower the spare tire turn the winch, accessed through
the hole in the rear lower trim, counter-clockwise using
the provided 3/4" socket. To secure a spare tire turn
the winch clockwise to raise the cable and tire up into
position.
NOTE
The spare tire is intended for emergency use only
and is not to be used as a long term replacement.
Airstream recommends driving on the spare tire at
a maximum of 50 MPH for up to 50 miles.
CAUTION
The unit is designed for hand operation only, DO
NOT use impact type tools to drive the device.

Tire Rotation

(10,000-mile intervals)

Axles and Bearings

Each rubber torsion axle is aligned during
manufacturing, and double-checked on a random
basis. Alignment after delivery is the customer's
responsibility.
Hitting chuck holes or rough railroad tracks while
traveling straight will only cause misalignment after
the tire has struck such objects many times. Of
course, a deep enough hole can affect the alignment
immediately. The worse culprit is a curb because they
are normally struck at an angle. Axles are occasionally
damaged when people are attempting to park beside a
curb while backing up their trailer.
2020 Basecamp