[VAL] Re: wheel for spare tire

[Daniel Childress <daniel@xxxxxxxxx>]

Experience can be a expensive teacher.  I would suggest that you pop 
off the hub caps and check the lugs.
When I purchase my 69 caravel the prev owner had it checked out by a 
trailer co. ( not airstream ) so it would be ready to go after I had 
driven for 6 hours to pick it up.   Had problems with the tow back 
home.   I thought that I was having problems with the "old tires", 
maybe out of balance, cupping, ect.  The last two hours I reduced 
speed to 40 mph.  This was between 1 and 2 am.
Upon getting home, I ordered new tires.  Some of you are probably 
ahead of me, but when the hub caps were popped, one wheel had almost 
disconnected from loose lugs. You could almost pull the wheel off 
without removing the lugs.  Had enlarged the holes large enough that 
the lugs would slip through.  At that point I had mixed emotions. One 
very greatful to  have made it home without distroying my New Prize 
and two angry that the trailer co had not checked the lugs.  Now I 
carry a torque wrench and check after the first 50 miles of every 
trip.  "Have you ever seen a one axle airstream that has lost its 
wheel while traveling at 55 mph.  Please check the lugs.
Dan
69 Caravel
14148