Trailer Wheels

GasCan II

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 15, 2010
Messages
281
Just got new tires for my boat trailer, and they did not balance them ( I see no weights ).Do they need to be balanced ?
Thanks !
 

tpenfield

Moderator
Staff member
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Jul 18, 2011
Messages
18,199
Re: Trailer Wheels

'normally' trailer tires are not balanced, but it can't hurt if you get them balanced.
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: Trailer Wheels

Your boat will get a lot smoother ride if they are balanced, GCII.
 

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
16,368
Re: Trailer Wheels

The forces exhurted by an unbalanced tire can be enormous.

Unbalanced tires put uneven pressure on the treads causing premature wear that can develop into cupping. Tire imbalance also strains the wheel bearings and suspension system.

Avoid irregular tire wear, which can contribute to poor tire performance and tire failure!
Unbalanced tires, which can be caused by hitting curbs, potholes or other road hazards, affect your ride quality and tire life. If you suspect that your tires may be unbalanced, have them inspected by a professional as soon as possible to avoid excessive wear and damage to your trailer’s parts.

http://www.maxxis.com/Industrial/Trailer/Trailer-Warranty.aspx
 

MH Hawker

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jul 13, 2011
Messages
5,516
Re: Trailer Wheels

That is another of the debated things, I have mine balanced just to help the wear, but then I have never had a set wear out, age all ways get mine. But most tires run true enough so that your don't need it but from experience work in a old style gas station that sold tires you do run across that odd one ever now and then that is badly out of balance.
 

bruceb58

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 5, 2006
Messages
30,592
Re: Trailer Wheels

I always get my trailer tires balanced. How much money are you actually saving by not?
 

jbetzelb

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 28, 2011
Messages
301
Re: Trailer Wheels

Why put the extra vibration on the boat and trailer when $40 bucks will balance 4 tires. I always have mine balanced.
 

skyking897

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 21, 2010
Messages
208
Re: Trailer Wheels

Do you need to balance them .... no. But I would. With all the cheap chinese crap tires out there, I balance mine. I figure, for what I've spent on the tires just to purchase them, it's a small price to pay for the added insurance of trying to get the most out of them.
 
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