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LarryJM

NoVa

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Joined: 11/09/2007

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Posted: 04/13/12 06:46am

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Fish-a-Palooza wrote:

This is a wear issue as well as a safety issue.

That IMO is a complete WAG on your part w/o any substantiated facts to support that WAG.

The geometry of TT tires (usually two within inches of each other) on tandem trailers is vastly different again IMO that tires at the four corners of motorized vehicles such as cars, trucks, and MHs. It would be interesting to see of OTR tractors balance only the steer axle tires.

Larry

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Ron3rd

Upland, CA USA

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Posted: 04/13/12 06:59am

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Beach-Rat wrote:

Balancing ST tires.

I always have but dealer says it's a waste of $$$ ...

225/75-R15.. do you balance them or not?

My trailer did not come with balanced tires when purchased new. I've heard this is the case with many new trailers. Whether or not they need to be balanced is a matter of debate and the question pops up here from time to time. Balancing them certainly can't hurt anything and is probably a good idea IMO. America's Tire/Discount Tire always balances every trailer tire they sell as a matter of policy.

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Hamops

Oshawa, ON, CA

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Posted: 04/13/12 07:09am

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Beach-Rat wrote:

Balancing ST tires.

I always have but dealer says it's a waste of $$$ ...

225/75-R15.. do you balance them or not?

ASOLUTELY!!!!! Balancing your trailer tires, means a smoother riding trailer. That's means an easier pulling trailer which means a slight improvement in fuel mileage.

It surprises me that the tire dealer didn't want to balance the tires. It's money for him.

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phillyg

Front Royal, VA

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Posted: 04/13/12 07:34am

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Have you ever seen a car going down the road with a rear wheel hopping up and down. That's what happens when a wheel is badly out of balance. Same thing with trailer tires. I'd gladly pay the small amount of money for balancing.

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RCMAN46

NorthWest

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Posted: 04/13/12 09:16am

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If you are having problems with drawers opening when towing your trailer balance the tires and the problem will probably go away. I balance all tires on my truck and trailer. I use balance beads as the drums on most trailers are not balanced and the beads take care of this.

Fish-a-Palooza

Lake Stevens WA

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Posted: 04/14/12 02:15am

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LarryJM wrote:

Fish-a-Palooza wrote:

This is a wear issue as well as a safety issue.

As soon as I find out what a wag is I can reply. Ok I looked it up. Does it mean Wild a$$ guess? I wasn't aware I needed to submit a resume to state an opinion. I see you have an opinion as well

.

FWIW, I was ASE certified on suspension/alignment and brakes and a tire guy in a repair shop for 5 years so I think I'm qualified to express an educated opinion.

The argument for not balancing wheels on trailers is; a comfortable ride is not necessary for a trailer and from that stand point, correct. However, from a wear and towability stand point depending on how bad the tire is out of balance it can make a big difference causing handling issues and tread seperation.

As just one personal example, one of my boat trailers was jittering down the road like crazy as I towed it. I no longer had access to the machines so I took it to the tire shop where I purchased the tires. I actually had to argue with the L** S**** tech about getting them balanced and finally told the tech it was my money, just do it. They used 3 oz of weight to balance one and 2 oz on the other. Once done, the jitter went away.

* This post was last edited 04/14/12 03:15am by Fish-a-Palooza * View edit history

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Posted: 04/14/12 08:18am

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I balance my tires, cheap insurance and it can ONLY help.

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