balance trailer tires?
 

six new skins going on my trailer

I can see nothing but positives for smooth ride and tire life, but 9 out of 10 say it's not neccesary.

opinions?

Absolutely not necessary. But most times it's included with the tires so why not take it?

I think it depends on how much you are going to use the trailer. If just for short trips several times a year not necessary.

If you are doing some long road trips it is absolutely necessary for tire longitvity and it does make a difference in ride!

Yeah, but who rides in the back with the boat? ;)

LOL, believe me. It does make a difference in the tow vehicle as well! Most trailer tires that are used enough before dryrot sets in IMO are replaced because of the uneven wear patterns that develope due to improper tire balancing.(also the classic flat spots that occur if one has been locked down :D )

I had a contract when I was in the trucking business delivering HS yearbooks. Brought a trailer load of books from the factory and used a duellie and a trailer to deliver to the schools. Night and day difference in ride quality once I decided to balance the trailer tires!

Technically not neccessary to balance the trailer tires, however it will only be better on the trailer & cause less wear & tear to have them balanced. It just is not a safety issue.. :) Jamie

I have noticed that my bearing life has increased because I balanced my six tires.I think it's cheap insurance.I will always have mine balanced.

Why would anyone NOT balance the tires ?? It makes the tires last longer, makes the trailer bearings and suspension last longer and probably lessens the chance of a blow out due to excess heat.

believe me...I'm all about it,

but my long long time buddy and lifetime large local tire shop owner jumps up and down "it's not neccessary!"

they are all loaded in my snow trailer and are going first thing in the am to get mounted and BALANCED.

Thanks guys for backing up my thinking.

He is correct..


It's not necessary..





Neither is breathing...




I prefer to do both :)

I would absolutely do it. How do you know they aren't selling you piece of crap out a balance tires if nobody throws them on the balancer? Why shake the **** out of your boat and trailer?

LOL! Do you buy your trailer tires from him???? :D

easy guys...

Tom and I have been doing lots of good business for 25+ years
countless tires, wheels, performance parts, 5 pieces of Simplicity equipment, I store his toys, we used to do the Corvette thing (he still does has 2), and he's a Formula owner :D...
this guy has saved me so much money and done me so right over the years, you wouldn't believe...even taking crazy care of my friends and women...

It's just this trailer tire balance thing is like an old wive's tale that he believes and I don't want to offend him, but I told him on the phone the other night I want them balanced and he balked at the idea...
during that same call he told me he has two more jet skis to store and a buddy who needs to store his CC...$$ for me.

I have collected 6 brand new, nubs and paint still on the face of the tread, 245/75-16E Bridgestone V-Steel RIB unused spares and take-offs from GM HD trucks. They will make an excellent trailer tire and I don't have $300 in them.

Going tomorrow at 7a to get them mounted and balanced.

I own a tire store, and I balance mine, and all of the ones I do for customers.

I've had Bearing Buddies repeatedly tossed off until I balanced the wheels/tires on a trailer. If they can vibrate bad enough to toss those off it cannot be good on the bearings.

just got home mounted and balanced.

Those Star trailer wheels and the B'stones were both pretty true!
One took 2.25 oz. and no other took over 1.5 oz.

thanks for the input backing up my thinking on this. :ernaehrung004:

Good decision. I always balance.

did you notice a difference going down the road with them balanced. thanks Jeff

hey Jeff,

sorry I can't give you that answer as these are new tires.

I think balancing can be nothing but a positive.
If not for tire life alone, my thinking is that even the smallest out-of-balance harmonic is "heard" right in the bearing sets...

all of my Kodiak parts and my BrakeRite SD just arrived! I got some work to do!

I just flipped 5 tires from raised white letter to blackwalls on my jetboat trailer yesterday.

I had them balanced while I was at it. (they were not balanced before)
No I probably won't notice a difference, but I know it's right.

If your already there doing new tires, why not? cost is basically nothing. may be included with the mount.

Plus, like Rippem said if a tire/wheel is out of balance it may wear itself and the bearings to a premature death.

I always balance mine.

Absolutely balance Trailer tires. None of the trailer tire come balanced from manufactures.