Lug Wrench

What is it with Forest River? You buy a FW and it has four tires. Don't you think that it would come with a Lug wrench? So I asked my dealer and said that they have never seen them come with one. I tried my truck lug wrench that did not fit. I have a four sided lug wrench and that did not fit. I think I will have to stop by a les Schwab tire center to see if they have one that fits it. Thanks Forest River. Steve

Don't forget to carry a Cresent Wrench or socket that will fit your spare, it's yet another size.

It's my understanding that the manufacturers don't include a lug wrench because they don't want the liability of you sitting on the side of the road changing a flat and getting hit. That is their way of forcing you to use a "pro" service which would not have a claim against them. If you buy and install the wrench yourself, then you have created your own liability for whatever actions result from related activities. A few years ago several of the manufacturers weren't even including a spare.

Do most RV'ers then subscribe to a road side service?

I have the 4 way wrench, and it works fine.

I also have Good Sam Road Side Assistance plan, which i've havent used, yet!!!

LTGC wrote:I have a four sided lug wrench and that did not fit. I think I will have to stop by a les Schwab tire center to see if they have one that fits it. Thanks Forest River. Steve

LTGC,

Not to stir the pot, or ask a wise guy question, but were the decorative plastic caps removed. That would make the right size socket too small and the next one up too big ..... will also damage the plastic caps.

Just wondering.

By the way, I've owned three 5'ers, including the 29RLBS, and none of them came with a lug wrench.

I asked the dealer about that and they said you have to remove the tire to get the caps off. Now thinking about it I have zirk fittings those caps must come off. That's why It is better to ask questions to those people that realy know the answers. Not the dealer. Thanks Steve

Steve,

I think Mike is talking about the black caps that cover the lug nuts.

You should have a black rubber cap in the center of the hub to access the zerk fittings for greasing the bearings.

In each of our vehicles I have a toolbox. In each toolbox I have a breaker bar and the proper sized six sided sockets to fit all the lug nuts, for each vehicle. Also in each toolbox is a jack, "jack handle", gloves, tarp, cloth rags, knee pads, and other tools.

My 4 way will not fit on my 'Cat. It will fit on some lugs but now all. I carry a 1/2" drive breaker bar with the correct socket. My 4 way will fit the spare that is located in the backpack.

Mark

I have an old 4 way, probably 20 years old, and it fits fine.

Dumb question, is your 4 way metric?

My 4-way fits too.

Since the photo of LTGC's rig is a new 2008 model, he won't have the black pastic caps covering the lugs. He probably has the silver colored decrotive lugs. That's what I have on mine. I haven't tried my 4 way lug wrench but, after reading this thread, I will be today.

By the way I have Good Sam ERS and used them twice wiith great results.

#1. pic of metal hub cover with rubber cap. The grease zerk is under that.
You have to take the metal cap off to access the wheel nut if your repacking your bearings.
Once you have the wheel off, just take a rubber hammer and bump the cap off or grab it with your hands and twist it and usually it will come off pretty easy. You don't need to go that far unless your packing your bearings or just want to get a visual look at the bearings and the nut that holds the Hub on.
The #1 pic is of my utility trialer wheel that does not have a chrome center cap. Just the cap on the wheel hub.

#2. Thats the decorative chrome center cap that has a hole in the center of it to access the rubber cap on the wheel hub cap thats under neath the decorative cap #2. You have to remove the wheel if you want to take the metal cap off of the wheel hub itself.
The rubber cap gives you access so you don't have to take the wheel off.

#3. Lug nut thats under those pretty Black plastic lug caps. Mine where off when I got the camper and I never put them on.

#4. Thats the access hole in the center of the decorative chrome center cap that you access the rubber cap to grease the bearing.

#5. Thats the Valve stem that needs to be replaced with a metal valve stem.

No, my 4 way is an SAE, fits my truck and it fits the lug nuts on the 5er. The issue is spacing between the lug nut and silver hub cover. I can get the 4 way on some of the lugs, but others there doesn't seem to be enough room for the wall thickness of the 4 way to fit. I agree it doesn't make sense, but it is what it is.

Mark

MaxRock wrote : I can get the 4 way on some of the lugs, but others there doesn't seem to be enough room for the wall thickness of the 4 way to fit.

Yep, I've had that happen a few times over the years. sometimes the center caps don't fit snug in the center hole so they slide one way or the other. When you wrench the lugs down the cap stays on one side. So you can't get the lug wrench on the lugs. I usually wind up making it work by jaming the lug wrench on there and bend the cap a little to make the wrench spin.
I've also gotten Thin wall sockets to work without bending the cap.
The caps are pretty cheap so I never worried about bending them. I kept on using the dented one's until they rusted then got some new ones. That was on custom wheels for cars and trucks though.
ON the white bullet holes that come on the camper though seems like theres plenty of room even if the cap slid over some. mine did touch a little on a couple of lugs but I didn't really pay it much attention.

Admin,

I agree with your explanation. If I have a flat and have an issue w/ getting the 4-way on, I promise you I can persuade the 4 way to go on the lugs. If the chrome cap gets bent, so be it.

I would really like some nice polished aluminum 16" rims to replace the factory white spokes.

-Mark

Me to, I just can't justify spendig that kinda money on it yet.
right now I'd rather spend that on put'n gas in the ski boat.

Admin. Now I see why you want new wheels. When I get home I will take a closer pic. So you can dream of them

Admin Now you can dream of these wheels

I may just send my little bullet holes in for a chrome dip......

I wish I could splurge for a set of those ......

my four way is 9 years old and fits fine too!

LTGC,

Those are some good looking wheels . I wish my Cat would have come with some good looking wheels as those. I have the crummy looking white spokes.

On the other hand, that is truly a cruel act to post that picture ! Makes me want different wheels...oh well...maybe one day!

-Mark

LTGC wrote:Admin Now you can dream of these wheels

LTGC - Wait a second while I wipe the drool off my mouth!! :tongue: :tongue:

Is that a 15" wheel? Do-tell so I can drool some more!!

TC

TC wrote:

LTGC wrote:Admin Now you can dream of these wheels

LTGC - Wait a second while I wipe the drool off my mouth!! :tongue: :tongue:

Is that a 15" wheel? Do-tell so I can drool some more!!

TC

TC they are 16" wheels so you can drool some more! Go to the wildcat owners gallery, under "new changes" You will see why I was giving Admin a bad time just for fun :P

MaxRock wrote:LTGC,

Those are some good looking wheels . I wish my Cat would have come with some good looking wheels as those. I have the crummy looking white spokes.

On the other hand, that is truly a cruel act to post that picture ! Makes me want different wheels...oh well...maybe one day!

-Mark

Sorry Mark. Was just having fun with Admin. He has a wheel fetish! They are good looking wheels. Steve

I still like the spinners Admin posted earlier those would look pretty sweet hauling down the road.

That is cruel. Especially after I just bought new 16" chrome steel wheels. They look good, but not that good.

Scottz, I was thinking a set of Torq D's

scottz, what are the specs on your rims? Did you maintain the same offset as the factory wheels?

i was thinking if I change wheels, I might look at wheels with a bit more offset to help in getting the tire away from the slide mechanism.

-Mark