Lug nut torque?

[noelH]

Pacific trailer built for the Sage 15.  Sticker notes 2017 build date.  Couple stickers covering  tire size, cold tire psi, load....  Nothing about lug nut torque.

ST 175/80R13 tires on steel rims.  Interesting note is the trailer sticker notes 50psi for x load.  Tires note 65 psi max for max tire load.  I've been just following the sticker's 50 psi recommendation.  Assuming rims might limit the max psi. 

1/2" lug studs. 5 studs. Steel wheels. Anyone know what the correct torque is?

I run two sets of wheels/tires on the truck.  Winter specific ice and snow and the so called all seasons in the warm month.  Always have checked the torque to see if up to what they are spec for after 25-50 miles.  Couple times a year I check the tractor's lug nut torque.  So far, the boat trailer wheels have stayed on, but maybe over torqued?  I haven't checked the torque.  Just test to see if firmly threaded on.

[pgandw]

Load range - what comes after the tire size - determines max tire pressure AND max load for the tire. Load Range C is generally 50 PSI, and Load Range D takes it to 65 PSI. The trailer sticker will likely say Load Range C with the tire size and max load.

Tires could have been upgraded to Load Range D for a couple of reasons. Load Range D was available. Or PO wanted additional load capacity to allow overloading or extra load margin.

Best thing to do is get actual weight on your trailer tires at a CAT Scale or similar. Then you can determine proper course of action. Chances are your rims can handle the 65 PSI - IF your weight requires the extra carrying capacity. Somebody who knows rims can tell you better than I.

Running tires down the highway under-inflated for the load they are carrying is a known way to have a blow-out. Running tires over-inflated for the load is a rough ride. Running tires significantly inflated over their max rating is also known to cause blow-outs.

Fred W

[Charles Brennan]

noelh, Recommended torque range for ½"-20 studs on a 13" steel trailer wheel (aluminum wheel torque is different) is 75 - 85 ft/lb.
Strongly agree with Fred W, about matching load weight to tire pressure for a given load range and is only one of the (several!) reasons, I am obsessive about knowing my rig weight.

Hope this helps,
Charles Brennan