Rear wheel fell off while towing motorcycle trailer

RockyAEV · Jul 25, 2019

tap4154 said:
Aluminum expands more under high temps than steel and cast iron, so you'll have a much more stable situation using steel wheels with steel lugs and nuts. Perhaps the nuts were loosening a bit over time, then the extra hot day with the stress of the trailer set the failure in motion? Glad no one was hurt!

Yep yep that’s what I’m figuring as well...lack of maintenance on my part as well....but I promise that is the last time it happens to me! Lol I learned a lesson the hard way that day for sure

2018 Ram 2500 Tradesman
6.7L, G56

maverickmk · Jul 29, 2019

This did not happen all of a sudden. This was happening over a period of time. You should felt something. There is too much damage to the inside of the wheel to be a sudden issue. In my opinion.

boblonben · Jul 29, 2019

buddy guy said:
Universal wheel

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sure looks like a dual spaced wheel with MOPAR/Ford and GM spacing. I'll be anything these were over torqued for a while, then backed off for what ever reason. That damages the lug nuts and lugs. Does not take much after that for the wheel to loosen and the lugs to fail. Somebody did not know what they were doing and caused this.

joecal · Jul 29, 2019

So what did you do after that happened, did you call a tow truck? I'm just curious since I tow a boat. I'd hate to have the truck towed and leave the boat on the side of the road. I'm glad you're okay and that the tire didn't cause an accident, so you're fortunate in that respect.

David DeSau · Jul 29, 2019

I would think loose lug nuts would cause this - I was behind a van one night when the wheel came off - we figured out it was loose lug nuts on the wheel that caused them
to snap off. I would go and tighten them all if you haven't already !

Dusty · Jul 29, 2019

erictomlin said:
Here's a pic with the rotor out of the way...

View attachment 174493

Just a theory, but since this happened on a left side wheel, with right hand threaded stubs and the forward movement of the vehicle, it would take a long time for the wheel nuts to come off. In fact, I've experienced a situation where months have gone by with lug nuts loose and they did not come off.

I suspect you had several lug nuts missing for some time and didn't realize it, and I've seen that, too. It could be a possibility that someone removed some, either because they didn't want to buy them, or someone has a grudge or playing a (dirty) trick on you.

The broken studs are likely the result of the severely loose wheel turning off centric putting too much lateral force on the stud, which got progressively worse has the hub lost studs.

The "holes" in the back of the wheel are casting vents. Not noticeable in the photograph, but there are small slots in those cavities to allow air in.

Sorry to hear of your mishap. Glad nobody was injured.

Best regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Silver Billet Laramie, Quad Cab, 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, 18 inch wheels. Build date: 17 April 2018. Now at 018904 miles.

DA Smith · Jul 29, 2019

Did you check with the dealership where you bought the truck from to see if they might have rotated the tires, or had the wheels off to check brakes or other mechanical checks. If they did have the wheels off for any reason they may have missed tightening to correct specs or even over tightened the lug nuts which could have damaged the studs

Pull Ya · Jul 29, 2019

joecal said:
So what did you do after that happened, did you call a tow truck? I'm just curious since I tow a boat. I'd hate to have the truck towed and leave the boat on the side of the road. I'm glad you're okay and that the tire didn't cause an accident, so you're fortunate in that respect.

If you tow a boat(trailer) always carry an extra hub and 2 spares----ask me how I know---LOL
Jay

Harley Harrold · Jul 29, 2019

On all aluminum wheels, after proper torque is attained, and the vehicle is driven at least 50 miles, not to exceed 100 miles, the lug nuts MUST BE RETORQUED TO SPECIFICATION. This process prevents the loss of a wheel due to loose lug nuts. Then every 1,000 miles the lug nut torque should be checked again. I always re torque the wheels lug nuts on my truck, after having had my tires rotated. I use my personal 1/2" drive torque wrench to insure my lug nuts are at the right torque, this also prevents brake disc warpage.

Elkman · Jul 29, 2019

With my 2500 truck the owners manual recommends checking the torque on the wheel nuts every 3,000 miles. I lube the front suspension every 3000 miles and so check the wheel nut torque as well.
I follow the manufacturers recommended maintenance and service schedule so as not to have a breakdown on the highway and risk injury or death.

Even with old model years it takes only a few minutes to download the owner manual. I then use it to create a cheat sheet of sorts that shows at which mileage what should be done all the way up to 120,000 miles (at which point the first 100K usually repeats). It takes 30 minutes to an hour depending on the vehicle to do this but it makes my life simpler as I keep a copy in the glovebox. When the dealer's service rep says that my truck is do for maintenance I check my summary sheet and 100% of the time he is dead wrong and only trying to bring in extra money for the dealer at my expense.

DarthMegaHD · Jul 29, 2019

Used truck, aftermarket wheels, wheel spacers, and what looks like aftermarket rotors because I’m pretty sure mopar doesn’t make OEM drilled and slotted rotors. Probably cheap Chinese crap rotors that the threads sheered right off from towing. Plus adding the spacers to crap rotors and towing. That’s your culprit right there

Jordo · Jul 29, 2019

Can you show us a picture of the front of the wheel to see how many lug nut marks are on the other side. No marks no lug nuts. Someone might have taken them off. If you have marks then maybe they have loosen over time. No one checks their lug nuts I only check every 6 months when it comes back from a wheel rotation. Don’t trust little tommy with the impact gun. Good to hear no one was hurt. Do you tow often? That could be a factor too.

TRANSMITTERGUY · Jul 29, 2019

I carry a HF torque wrench with me in my truck and the first of the month I check my lug nut torque , tire pressure and all fluid levels especially oil level. I have always done this with all my vehicles and have had 0 problems. Every 40k miles I replace the rotors and brakes too, then everything is even and in good shape. I will never turn a rotor again.

Moparfanatic21 · Jul 30, 2019

22hemi13 said:
What’s up with the wheel though? So many holes looks like a spacer. Or maybe I’m crazy. Shouldn’t there only be 5 holes

View attachment 174491

I don't think those are all holes. Some have little valleys cut into it

22hemi13 · Jul 30, 2019

Moparfanatic21 said:
I don't think those are all holes. Some have little valleys cut into it

Yeah. We’ve since clarified that. Darn blurry pic haha.

ReefRaider · Jul 30, 2019

Your over thinking this. I've spent over 45 years working on cars and trucks for a living . Your lug nuts were either loosened by someone or they were never torqued down enough to begin with.
It's not uncommon for this condition to go unnoticed until the wheel comes off especially at highway speeds.

I base this on the pic you posted of the broken studs. I personally have never had a car come back to me for this issue. But have seen it many times and to varying degrees.

Thanks for your service !

Craig G · Jul 30, 2019

Really need better picture of in of wheel but all said sounds like loose lugs, the picture of wheel shows to many holes for 5 lug hub. Have to agree any enemies or recent tire rotation.

ReefRaider · Jul 30, 2019

Ok there is is one more condition that can lead to this. Someone had broken of 1 or 2 studs in the past and never repaired that conditon.
But I would think you might have noticed that .

boblonben · Jul 30, 2019

I was wr0ong before as the first pics looked like it was a universal wheel that had loosened up. But like these other folks looking at the new pic the center and mounting holes all look wallowed out, meaning the lugs were loose. Wow... Where they factory lugs or aftermarket? Factory ones tend to not loosen up but some aftermarket ones do, won't go into brands but some more so than others. Gotta check'em periodically for sure. Good thing no one hurt.

buddy guy · Jul 30, 2019

i wonder if the spacer contributed to it? its possible they weren't torqued properly..or locktite wasn't used on them even more likely and the whole assembly loosened to the point the lugs snapped? i've used spacers. i'm always leary of them. one more part in the equation to have issues. taking the wheel off the other side and checking the spacer might give a clue to why this side failed. spacers should be checked for torque when tires are rotated as well. quite possibly they weren't. and spacers aren't a solution for every offset situation. i think they should be the last.

Rear wheel fell off while towing motorcycle trailer

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