Tire balancing

[BGKirkham]

Being new to RVs, I was surprised to see that my trailer wheels (steel) don't have balance weights. I am of the opinion that if it turns at high speed, it should be balanced. It seems to me that the imbalance will cause premature bearing wear. What am I missing?

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by BGKirkham

Being new to RVs, I was surprised to see that my trailer wheels (steel) don't have balance weights. I am of the opinion that if it turns at high speed, it should be balanced. It seems to me that the imbalance will cause premature bearing wear. What am I missing?

Not only bearing wear, but drastic wear (cupping) of tires. Get them balanced and a TST TPMS system.

[extremebike]

Hi!

Go with bead balancing. That way you don't have to worry about losing a weight.

They don't even have to remove the tire. They broken the sea at the top of the tie and poured in the beads, then reinflated. Done.

[OldCoot]

The only thing against beads is when the tires are not spinning the beads settle and it takes the tire spinning before they re-balance and during that time, the tires are not balanced.

I've been lucky I guess as I've never lost a wheel wt in over 50+ yrs of driving. I prefer the old tried and true method of spin balancing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq263AYgyYg

[KyDan]

Never had my trailer tires balanced because each new trailer came without
being balanced and we never had a trailer long enough to purchase new
tires until now.
Last fall the old tires were showing their age and it was time. I purchased
new tires and paid extra for the spin balance. I also replaced bearings and seals and checked brakes at that time. We went camping ONE time locally then winter arrived! Wound up purchasing a new trailer over the winter!
Of course the new one is not balanced

[geotex1]

Originally Posted by BGKirkham

Being new to RVs, I was surprised to see that my trailer wheels (steel) don't have balance weights. I am of the opinion that if it turns at high speed, it should be balanced. It seems to me that the imbalance will cause premature bearing wear. What am I missing?

There is actually a rationale why they are not balanced. Trailer axles in no way, shape, or form are fabricated with the precision and accuracy that automotive axles are. In fact, welding the spindles to the tubes is about as primitive as you can imagine, and the tolerances for acceptance in QC review are several times that of automotive axles. So, its the why make one component better argument...

That said, balance!

Originally Posted by OldCoot

I prefer the old tried and true method of spin balancing.

Not me - too archaic!

I balance all mounted tires on a road force balancer using proper lug- or hub-centric adapter. Superior balancing. If you use any TPMS system that's on the stem, make sure it's on the stem when balancing.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by geotex1

...I balance all mounted tires on a road force balancer using proper lug- or hub-centric adapter. Superior balancing. If you use any TPMS system that's on the stem, make sure it's on the stem when balancing.

That is what I was referring to as spin balancing. Had all 5 of mine balanced that way with the 507 flow thru sensor on the valve stem.
Shame you can't include the hubs, seeing as how rotating tires is not necessary on trailers.

[BGKirkham]

Originally Posted by extremebike

Hi!

Go with bead balancing. That way you don't have to worry about losing a weight.

They don't even have to remove the tire. They broken the sea at the top of the tie and poured in the beads, then reinflated. Done.

Interesting approach. The biggest question I would have is, "how do I know it's working?"

I'll have to study on that for a while.

[bob caldwell]

I use an old service station type bubble style, and work's for me.

[vinmaker]

I will have to look into getting my tires balanced also.

Thanks,

Vin.