Do trailer tires need to be balanced?

[ThomasE]

Ever since I got my trailer, I've noticed places that sell trailer/wheel tire assemblies (eg. auto parts, Lowes) have no wheel weights on them, wheel sizes were from 12-16". The 2 tires on my trailer are balanced but the spare is not. Don't trailer tires need to be balanced like car tires are?

[Doug Mager]

I've heard from both camps on this issue and it seems basically its up to you the owner/tower.

Those that say NOT to bother say that there should be no body (legally) riding back there anyway, so does it matter if the trailer rides rough?

The other side of the coin seems to agree that a rough riding trailer may make for a rough TOW job. I ALWAYS get our balanced anyhow (including the spare tire).

[Michel, Bouchard]

I had mine balanced, smoother on the suspension, tires will wear more even and won't develop any flat spots.

[Frederick L. Simson]

Don't trailer tires need to be balanced like car tires are?

I buy all of my tires from a dedicated tire store (A small business that sells nothing but tires and wheels.) They always balance my mounted tires. On the invoice it is a separate line item. On my Fiber Stream's wheels, he puts the weights on the [b]inside/backside so that they don't spoil the look of the wheel/moon combo.




I was unaware that Lowe's sells already mounted tire/wheel combos. I suspect that balancing is usually done on site at other retailers; I doubt that Lowe's has the equipment at each retail store to do it. Since the weights are made out of lead, there is also a hazardous material issue. I plan to look for the tires the next time I am in Lowe's and see if they don't have a disclaimer sign somewhere that balancing is the customer's responsibility after the sale.

[Marinab]

I just bought 3 new tires and had them balanced as well. If it's good for your tow vehicle,
why wouldn't it be just as good for your trailer? Marina

[Mike Bromley]

If it's good for your tow vehicle,
why wouldn't it be just as good for your trailer? Marina

That was my remark to a Know-it-all tire shop attendant. Those little wheels spin fast, and if they're out of balance, that means wear and tear on bearings, and poor handling.

His remark was that you won't feel the vibration. That DOESN'T mean it's not doing what vibration does.

[ThomasE]

I was kind of surprised to find mounted tires at Lowes too, they were sitting on the bottom shelf in an area that had towing accessories. They had 13", 14", and 15" tires mounted on white modular style wheels. Probably meant more for cargo trailers than travel trailers. Regarding lead weights, I don't know if it's a California thing or not, but I read that lead will no longer be allowed, only non-toxic wheel weights.

[Gord Plowright]

Ever since I got my trailer, I've noticed places that sell trailer/wheel tire assemblies (eg. auto parts, Lowes) have no wheel weights on them, wheel sizes were from 12-16". The 2 tires on my trailer are balanced but the spare is not. Don't trailer tires need to be balanced like car tires are?

Hi;
I've had my tires balanced every couple of years and had the alignment done on the my 17' Boler once as well, Most tire shops can't do alignments on a trailer so you need to find a shop that's equipped to do a proper alignment on a trailer!Hope this helps.
Happy Camping; Gord

[slbran]

I balanced the tires on my Fiber Stream and I could feel the difference while towing. Walmart also sells mounted tires and wheels un-balanced.

[Bobbie Mayer]

It does sound like a good idea. I'm taking my trailer down to a truck and trailer shop today to get the alignment checked but when I get new tires I'll make sure they are balanced. I suspect with the smaller tire radius it is less important than with car tires, though, the rim of the wheel is closer to the axle so there should not be as much wobble.

[Bruce Thomas]

when you believe Goodyear or anyone else has produced the perfect tire...buy them and dont balance them......they shouldnt need it and will last over 1000 years probably .............Bruce

[Bud Kennedy]

Be aware that to properly balance a tire, or anything else other than a thin disc, correction weights must be applied to both sides. Otherwise the tire is only statically balanced and not dynamically balanced.

Unless the tire is dynamically balanced it may still develop flat spots, vibrate and cause wear and tear on the bearings. This can only be properly done on a machine that spins the tire and wheel assembly. Those bubble balancers don't really get it done.

If you are balancing on the inside only, you may as well not balance at all. You have to choose between purty and functional.

[Dave Bese]

Both Walmart and Costco used lead free weights and all lead weights will be gone next year. EPA estimates that 13% of wheel weights fall off each year and are a major cause of lead pollution today.

[Ray N]

My new EggCamper came from the factory with balanced tires. It's such an easy thing to do I don't know why all the companies don't do it, unless they think it isn't necessary.

[Kevin K]

Short answer---------------YES-----------------

[DonDeutsch]

I guess this is to Dave but open to anyone: If 13% of wheel weight were lost each year, should we be getting our auto tires balanced every 2 years, rather than only when they are replaced?

[Frederick L. Simson]

EPA estimates that 13% of wheel weights fall off each year and are a major cause of lead pollution today.

I don't think it works like that, Don...
My first question would be: 13% of what?

• 13% of all the wheel weights installed on every vehicle in a given year?
• 13% of the total of all the wheel weights ever installed?

But you do bring up an interesting point: I don't think I ever think about my wheel weights as an ongoing maintenance issue...

[Dave Bese]

13% of 'all'

[Perry J]

For whatever it's worth I'm pushing 70. I have owned and towed 8 horse stock trailers. utility trailers, ATV trailers and travel trailers for the last 45 years. I have 3 different trailers now.
I have never had the need to balance a tire nor have I had any unusual tire wear due to a lack of balancing.
I've had only one wheel bearing go bad and that was on my very first boat trailer many years ago.
John

[ThomasE]

I guess this is to Dave but open to anyone: If 13% of wheel weight were lost each year, should we be getting our auto tires balanced every 2 years, rather than only when they are replaced?

I would rebalance only if I noticed a missing wheel weight. For my cars, I do check both inside and face of wheel during tire rotations. Have never lost a wheel weight.