Newbie Panic - EMS & Torque

[TheNiceFamily]

Hi, Been parked up in our beautiful 17B for a couple of days and starting to compile a little list of questions/concerns, which explains why I'm up at 1:30a.m. writing this message - yes, they're keeping me awake! Please help!

Our EMS panel keeps flashing. Is that normal? It's saying E0 which I know means no errors and the electric's working fine, it's just the flashing that's worrying me.

Our detachable power cord has a red light on it. Only just noticed as we walked past it last night. Is that normal?

Last one's difficult to explain but I'll try. Watched the Escape vid and know the importance of torquing. Confession - we drove about 150K before our first stop so didn't attempt torque until then. Anyway, got to our site, took out new click torque wrench, set to 95, placed on bolt and tightened except, it was already super tight (i.e. couldn't really go any tighter) and it didn't click. Should we be loosening until it clicks or, trying to force it tighter?

Thanks for listening. I'll go back to bed now, lol.

 

[wackyburggeezer]

You're connected to 120 volts, right? Your EMS will automatically change displays. It's working. If you're not on 120 volts the EMS display is dark. The neon indicator lights in your power cord are showing that the cord is energized. Torquing of lug nuts in the middle of the night isn't worth the loss of sleep. I'd leave the lug nut alone (did you check only one?) and question whether you have great confidence that the wrench is 100% accurate, and not reading "close, but not exactly".

 

[Bill and Earline]

Hi, Been parked up in our beautiful 17B for a couple of days and starting to compile a little list of questions/concerns, which explains why I'm up at 1:30a.m. writing this message - yes, they're keeping me awake! Please help!

Our EMS panel keeps flashing. Is that normal? It's saying E0 which I know means no errors and the electric's working fine, it's just the flashing that's worrying me.

Our detachable power cord has a red light on it. Only just noticed as we walked past it last night. Is that normal?

Last one's difficult to explain but I'll try. Watched the Escape vid and know the importance of torquing. Confession - we drove about 150K before our first stop so didn't attempt torque until then. Anyway, got to our site, took out new click torque wrench, set to 95, placed on bolt and tightened except, it was already super tight (i.e. couldn't really go any tighter) and it didn't click. Should we be loosening until it clicks or, trying to force it tighter?

Thanks for listening. I'll go back to bed now, lol.

Not all torque wrenches make an audible click. Some just feel a slight bump or clunk when you reach the number shown on the adjustment.
To make yourself more familiar with this action, set your wrench to 50 and try again. I'd imagine each nut is at least that number. You will then feel or hear the action of the wrench, and can then up it to a higher number like 80, and finally to 95.
Sometimes one or several lug nuts may be way over-tightened when the wheel was first mounted, and you could have a problem changing a flat tire some day. When you feel more familiar or have a friend consulting you, you might want to back off on each nut and re-tighten to the prescribed number, but so long as you currently have at least 90 or so, you'd be fine for this trip.

Backing off a tight nut with a torque wrench is not recommended, so other tools would be best for that.

 

[GinoandLinda]

Hi, Been parked up in our beautiful 17B for a couple of days and starting to compile a little list of questions/concerns, which explains why I'm up at 1:30a.m. writing this message - yes, they're keeping me awake! Please help!

Our EMS panel keeps flashing. Is that normal? It's saying E0 which I know means no errors and the electric's working fine, it's just the flashing that's worrying me.

Our detachable power cord has a red light on it. Only just noticed as we walked past it last night. Is that normal?

Last one's difficult to explain but I'll try. Watched the Escape vid and know the importance of torquing. Confession - we drove about 150K before our first stop so didn't attempt torque until then. Anyway, got to our site, took out new click torque wrench, set to 95, placed on bolt and tightened except, it was already super tight (i.e. couldn't really go any tighter) and it didn't click. Should we be loosening until it clicks or, trying to force it tighter?

Thanks for listening. I'll go back to bed now, lol.

You can rest easy. Things are going to be okay. You already got the answers you needed but it's always good to get validation.

Your EMS panel is working fine. You got power and you have an E0. All is good.
Your power cord is telling you it has power going from the pedestal to the trailer. That's good too!
Your torque wrench may not click, it may slightly "give". You'll get the hang of it. Here is YouTube video. Note placement of hands.

Enjoy your camper!

 

[Iowa Dave]

I would only add that if you have occasion to loosen the lug nuts on your trailer or tow vehicle wheels for rotation, or tire trouble, I would advise using a breaker bar to get them broke loose. The torque wrench accuracynxan easily be affected if you use it like a breaker bar or even a good quality 1/2 inch ratchet. Even with the ratchet it’s possible to go gorilla on the wrench and strip the head out. This is true of the 3/8 and 1/4 inch drive ratchets too.
Iowa Dave

 

[TheNiceFamily]

Oh, look at all these lovely replies! Thank you, thank you, thank you. Just got up, snuggled into our little bed nest with a mug of tea. Will review everything you've said put all that good and reassuring advice into action. xox all

 

[Genebuilder]

Just another thing to remember about your torque wrench. When not using it, always set the torque value back to zero before putting the wrench away. Lengthens the calibration interval as well as relieving unnecessary tension on the internal spring mechanism.