Wheel balance for trailers?

[Dryrot]

I have a double axle trailer with 14 in. wheels. Do I need to get these wheels balanced for highway driving?

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Wheel balance for trailers?

Yes. Any spinning wheel whether its on a car or a trailer needs to be balanced. An out of balance wheel will cause uneven tyre wear and and cause vibrations which lead to brake/bearing/suspension problems. <br /><br />Aldo

 

[NYMINUTE]

Re: Wheel balance for trailers?

Yes, yes, yes. all four.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Wheel balance for trailers?

I don't know anyone personally who has had their trailer wheels balanced (including me) but it does seem to make sense. I'm not sure your aveage tire store is going to be equipped to jack your trailer to take the wheels off to balance them. Perhaps if you take them off at home and bring them in .....

 

[kence]

Re: Wheel balance for trailers?

Always balance as it will prevent wheel vibration and uneven tire wear. As for who can remove and balance, any tire shop should be able to do this. Most tire shops that sell "ST" tires which are for trailers will service your trailer outside and can remove and balance.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Wheel balance for trailers?

If its a trailer boat, they simply back into the shop (assuming tires are their business and the building is relatively modern.

 

[Dryrot]

Re: Wheel balance for trailers?

Thanks for the info everyone. I can take the 4 wheels off the tailer in my garage and take them to a tire store for balancing. I too do not know of anyone in my area that has his/her trailer wheels balanced. I'm heading out next week on a 2000 mile road trip with the boat so it sounds like the cost of wheel balancing will be worth the money.

 

[beezee28]

Re: Wheel balance for trailers?

dryrot, for that long trip it is going to be well worth the money spend.

 

[artburr]

Re: Wheel balance for trailers?

I just bought new trailer tires from a tire shop and had them mounted. When I mentioned balancing they said that it isn't necessary. Maybe they sell more tires that way!

 

[kence]

Re: Wheel balance for trailers?

I bought four new tires last year. I just pulled trailer up close to door and they changed all four and spin balancing is included in tire price. I couldn't back into shop as boat is too high to be jacked up inside but they problably sell a lot of trailer tires to boaters and campers and they balance every tire.

 

[artburr]

Re: Wheel balance for trailers?

PS It was a Les Schwab tire store that said trailer tire balancing was a waste of time.

 

[NYMINUTE]

Re: Wheel balance for trailers?

Originally posted by Art B:<br /> PS It was a Les Schwab tire store that said trailer tire balancing was a waste of time.

I knew a guy named Don Schwab.....he was a Moron.

 

[ufm82]

Re: Wheel balance for trailers?

Balancing trailer tires is not a waste of time. At the very least they will wear faster and unevenly when run unbalanced, and at worst they will damage your boat. Run a trailer for 500 miles with unbalanced tires and hope you don't have any gelcoat damage from the bunks/guide-ons/straps vibrating against the boat. I've seen serious gelcoat damage from vibrations from unbalanced tires. It also can cause damage to components IN your boat- things shaking on brackets, attachment points, etc. I truly believe that many boats get more wear on them while being trailered than when in the water. It costs less than $5 or so per to balance them- get it done!<br /><br />UFM82