Tire balancing yes/no

[maggiek]

Getting ready to repack the tt's wheel bearings this weekend and got to thinking about balancing the tires. After looking at them, there doesn't seem to be any adverse wear, but they don't have many miles on them either. Only a couple thousand, so it would be hard to tell if one was out of balance anyway. I know the dealer didn't do them when they installed them when we bought the tt. We had the original 175X13's on steel rims changed out for the optional 205X14's on aluminium rims.
So, since I'll have them off anyway, would it prudent to get them balanced to enhance the ride and life of the tires, or would it be just a waste of time and money?

[ChooChooMan74]

My opinion, yes. Why shake the camper apart.

[BarryD0706]

There are lots of existing threads on that topic (even recent ones).

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by maggiek

Getting ready to repack the tt's wheel bearings this weekend and got to thinking about balancing the tires. After looking at them, there doesn't seem to be any adverse wear, but they don't have many miles on them either. Only a couple thousand, so it would be hard to tell if one was out of balance anyway. I know the dealer didn't do them when they installed them when we bought the tt. We had the original 175X13's on steel rims changed out for the optional 205X14's on aluminium rims.
So, since I'll have them off anyway, would it prudent to get them balanced to enhance the ride and life of the tires, or would it be just a waste of time and money?

In my opinion, it is no different that your tow vehicle. If it spins, balance it if at all possible.

[Herk7769]

Would not even mount an unbalanced tire; they cost a fortune and the camper has no shocks. An unbalanced tire will be bouncing and wobbling all over the place putting lots of stress on your bearings.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by herk7769

Would not even mount an unbalanced tire; they cost a fortune and the camper has no shocks. An unbalanced tire will be bouncing and wobbling all over the place putting lots of stress on your bearings.

Agree 99.9999% Herk, but some have shocks.

[KyDan]

2 boat trailers, 3 travel trailers over 25 years, never had balanced tires
on any of them. None were balanced when I bought them that is.
No problems that I know of. YMMV.

When I replace my current tires I will have them balanced.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by KyDan

2 boat trailers, 3 travel trailers over 25 years, never had balanced tires
on any of them. None were balanced when I bought them that is.
No problems that I know of. YMMV.

When I replace my current tires I will have them balanced.

Don't need to balance if you only go 15 or 20 miles the entire life of the trailer. Messin' with ya' dude!

[Oakman]

Are the tires on new trailers and fifth wheels balanced? I've never had a problem with they way the come from the factory.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Oakman

Are the tires on new trailers and fifth wheels balanced? I've never had a problem with they way the come from the factory.

Surely you jest about the factory/dealer balancing tires. If you pull on long trips (1-3,000), you will mess up the tires if they are not balanced. Voice of experience. Have balanced all my trailer tires since '76 except one. Guess which one messed the tires up on a 2,500mile trip?

[Oakman]

No, I'm not jesting. My states maps should give you and indication of the type of travel my wife and I do with our fifth wheel. The only problem we ever had was with our 2003 Wildcat that had an axle alignment issue.

When I buy new trailer tires I have them balanced but the OP is repacking the wheel bearings, I don't see a need to balance those tires. It certainly doesn't hurt, but IMO it's a waste of time and money.

[Popcorn]

This is a debate that rages on in every camping forum I've ever looked at. I was always of the opinion that the tires should be balanced until I talked to a tech. He explained that the hubs and all their associated items are not balanced, so balancing the tire doesn't really accomplish anything. My question is, why aren't the hubs, etc. all balanced?

[KyDan]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

If you pull on long trips (1-3,000), you will mess up the tires if they are not balanced.

Maybe yes maybe not.
Most trailers come from the factory unbalanced.
I know they do that to save money.
I wish they were balanced.
I'm pretty sure there's plenty of folks with trailers out there on the road
who haven't had theirs balanced too.

I have not gone to the trouble and added expense to balance mine.
Maybe I've been lucky but I've had no issues.
And I have pulled some pretty long trips!!

As a matter of fact, I was looking at my tires yesterday. 3 out of 4 look
fine. One has gotten thin on the inside shoulder. Probably out of alignment.
It's not cupped or thin only on one side. It's thin all the way around.
I'm gonna put on the spare which as zero miles on it and travel on.
Current tires are due for replacement due to age. They have well over
10,000 miles on them. If I ignore age they have plenty of tread left.

When I get new rubber I'll have them balanced.

I'm not trying to tell anyone not to balance their tires!! I'm just saying
when you say they will be ruined if they are not balanced I don't think that's necessarily so.

[KyDan]

Originally Posted by Popcorn

This is a debate that rages on in every camping forum I've ever looked at. I was always of the opinion that the tires should be balanced until I talked to a tech. He explained that the hubs and all their associated items are not balanced, so balancing the tire doesn't really accomplish anything. My question is, why aren't the hubs, etc. all balanced?

Hubs and brake drums are cast. They aren't balanced for the same reason
new trailers are shipped un-balanced. Economic$$$
IMO the hub and less so the brake drum ARE rotating parts but they are
much smaller in diameter and weight than the big ole tire and wheel.
A slight out of balance in the hub and brake drum won't cause as much
bounce as an out of balance Tire.
Also, I remember way back in the 1960s when tire shops would
"spin balance" the tire ON THE CAR. This was supposed to also balance
the hub and brake drum. In reality- today's off the car computer
balance does a much better job in most cases.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Oakman

No, I'm not jesting. My states maps should give you and indication of the type of travel my wife and I do with our fifth wheel. The only problem we ever had was with our 2003 Wildcat that had an axle alignment issue.

When I buy new trailer tires I have them balanced but the OP is repacking the wheel bearings, I don't see a need to balance those tires. It certainly doesn't hurt, but IMO it's a waste of time and money.

Just stating my personal experiences since '76 and 9 rv trailers. Was the one that I didn't balance a fluke, could have been, but for $40 more for balancing to help save $600 of tires is worth it.

[Triguy]

Originally Posted by Popcorn

This is a debate that rages on in every camping forum I've ever looked at.

Agreed. In fact, there are at least two threads on this topic running on another forum that I know of and the topic is a constant on all RV forums I visit; including FRF.

I've concluded from these discussions that the issue is inconclusive. Its the only conclusion that explains how the topic comes up so often and how bright, experienced, knowledgeable and reasonable people on both sides have a never-ending discussion over the merits of balancing or not balancing.

I wish it were black and white.

[KyDan]

Yeah, here's a couple more that are guaranteed to generate discussion--

Which OIL is best?
Should I drive with my LP on?
Who makes the best Truck?
I'm not trying to hijack this thread!

Tire balance is a valid question/concern.

[maggiek]

Thanks to all that replied to my request. As BarryD0706 suggested, I went through all the threads I could find, on this forum and some others. What I found was what I expected, lots of pros an cons. I believe the quality of the wheels used in RV'ing today, particularly the newer aluminium ones are equal to their automotive cousins and we would be better served to be take better care of them.

So to that end, the wheels on the Mini will be balanced. Again thanks to all for your expertise and experience.

[fast murray]

I had ours balanced, it doesn't cost that much and I'd also say that the added rotational mass of an unbalanced tire would be more substantial than a hub or a drum.

[BarryD0706]

Pros & Cons:

Pros: May extend the life of tires and RV

Cons: ONLY cost (which is quite low).

The only reason I think people argue against doing it is to rationalize that they didn't do it.