Trailer Tire Balance Question

[757guy]

I ordered a new set of tires for my boat trailer and wonder if anyone bothers to have them balanced. Seems to me it would be better overall if they were spin balanced so I wonder just how many of you have had that done for your trailer tires.

Thanks.

 

[Elkins45]

When I've had trailer tires mounted they balanced them for me. When I bought new tires and wheels they came wearing wheel weights so they must have balanced them at the factory.

 

[Oily_Thing]

If it spins, it ought to be balanced.

 

[Rat407]

Yes, I balance all my trailer tires. To me it helps with the life of the tire as well as the trailer. Nothing like an out of balanced tire on a trailer vibrating everything to death.

 

[Kira]

It appears that people balance trailer tires. Only occasionally do you hear an unbalanced tire on a trailer singing its song.

 

[Rand]

My new sure-trac trailer was badly out of balance.. a $20 and walmart fixed that for me.. much better.

 

[joekingcorvette]

Yes, I always have mine balanced. Those 14 inch wheels on my trailer are spinning around quite a few times compared to the big tires on my F-150. Most trailer tires are only made for 65 mph however I see lots of people going 80mph pulling a boat. I highly doubt they all have the tires rated for the higher speeds.

 

[The motor guy]

I can't remember what it's called, but trailer tires have to be balanced differently than vehicle tires, and most shops don't have the adaptor on their tire machine. I might have this wrong, but tire machines balance the tire from the center hole and they should be balanced by the lug nut holes.

 

[Nick1994]

Yes you need to balance them.

I saw a couple weeks ago a dual axle flat trailer with a pallet of something on it, the tires were hopping all over the place on the freeway! Rapid bouncing!

 

[supton]

I was going to on my last set, but I was in a hurry and the shop didn't, and I didn't notice until later on. Have had several sets and none were balanced, and they were all fine. No bouncing etc. YMMV but it sure seem optional

Given how narrow the wheels are you might be able to get by with static balancing--not that many do that any more, but if you were to have the tool, it might work just fine here.