I just received my spare tire for my new trailer. As I was putting it on the carrier I noticed I could not tighten the lug nuts all the way because there wasn't enough clearnace for the wrench. I ended up using a deep welled socket to finish. I have a 2007 Vanguard tandem axle trailer with the chrome spoke wheels. The lug nuts are somewhat recessed. Is there a sleeve or some other type of accessory I need to tighten them down? Glad I looked at this before I had some type of event (came with Carlisles).

Ohhhh, Carlisles.....Muy mal! (Very bad!). Need to replace those suckers w/Marathons or for sure you'll be needing that deep socket to unfasten the lug nuts after one or more of the tires fail.

I think that a deep socket with a decent length wrench may be the best way to go. I haven't been able to find nay lug wrenches on-line that are described as having deep sockets.

Are the lugs too long on the actual hubs, or the spare carrier?

It is almost like the studs are too short. All four wheels plus the spare are the same. The lug nuts sit recessed in the wheel. There is maybe a 1/4 inch you can get a wrench on. If you had a flat you would be in trouble. My neighbor has what looks like the same trailer. I am going to pay him a visit and see if his is the same. I thought maybe it was one of those, "must be a special tool" deals.

Okay, just got off the phone with the dealer. They said "carry a deep well socket and a breaker bar". I would have thought that a standard 4 way would work. He said they use a battery powered impact gun with a deep well socket. I guess the problem is solved.

I dunno, Marathons are made in China now like most other trailer tires. I don't think there is much difference in quality between the two anymore.

My Duros have worked flawlessly for the last 5 years, still in good shape.

Yeah, I just looked at one of the new Marathons at a GY dealer the other day. I could not have been more disappointed. I know you can't tell anything (really) by looking at a tire, but you can get an impression. Other than the tread pattern it bore no resemblance to the ones I bought 3 years ago.

In a word---ahem--- bull$#!t. I'd make the dealer buy you a set of these:



1/4" of clearance to get a lug wrench on the nuts is just a problem waiting to happen...

Yes, get longer/taller lug nuts.

Instead of a deepwall get an extension and call it good.

The crossbar probably doesn't work because of the clearance between the nuts and the hole in the rim. It's too tight (pun intended).

I have a gorilla wrench that is angled and has been successfully used on some deeper offset rims where the lug nuts were recessed.

Or get a breaker, an extension and a socket and call it good.

Sparkplug socket and and a 1/2 breaker bar.

I use a deepwell and extension with my wheels, as my lug nuts are recessed as well. It is just the design of the wheels. I carry a breaker bar in addition to a torque wrench, as the trailer manufacturer states the lugs should not be overtightened and provides the specified torque on a label on the trailer. It is one of those things that I check periodically throughout the season.

1/2" breaker bar, short extension and a deep well socket. Also, make sure that you have a socket that fits your spare tire clamp/holder...mine is smaller than my trailer lug nuts.

I thought that all trailer tires and wheels used an older Ford rim design?

No one can shed some light on this rim/hub issue?