Tires Balanced

[NorskeBob]

Had the trailer tires balanced today at a local shop I use. Mechanic was surprised on the quantity of weights he had to add (as compared to a car tire). Two tires took 7.5 oz, one tire took 5.5 oz and one tire too 4.5 oz.

I had tires balanced on my last RV when I replaced the tires and they seemed to wear better.

Having the 6 point leveling system made it easier to pull the wheels (2 at a time). I did put the spare on one of the axles when I pulled the wheels. Really did not need to but I figured it could not hurt.

I have the 16" load range G Provider F835 tires and HiSpec aluminum wheels on the RV.

[slow]

My original Trailer King tires required a lot of weights when I had them balanced. On the same aluminum wheels and metal stems with the Carlisle Radial Trail HDs, not much weight was required.

[NorskeBob]

As a side note:
Things I found when I had the tires balanced:
Spare tire pressure was 90 psi instead of 80 psi.
The trailer tires ranged from 100 psi to 106 psi. Always good to check the tire pressures.

I had to purchase a new hose for my air compressor - old hose was a "plastic" one rated at 100 psi. Purchased a nice kink free hose at Lowe's

[rhagfo]

Local shop so I assume too small to just take the 5er into. My new Yokohama's didn't take much weight at all.

[NorskeBob]

Local shop so I assume too small to just take the 5er into. My new Yokohama's didn't take much weight at all.

Local shop - local garage "car/mechanic". I use him to perform preventative and corrective maint. on our car and truck. The shop is only 2 miles from my house so it is pretty convenient for me. I watched him balance the tires so I could see what weights were needed.

So what I learned is that the wheels are not "balanced" when made or the tires are not "balanced" when made.

When I install Maxxis tires on our last RV they did not need much weight to balance them.

Would have had the RV dealer do it before we took delivery but they are not set up to balance tires.

[66joej]

My original Trailer King tires required a lot of weights when I had them balanced. On the same aluminum wheels and metal stems with the Carlisle Radial Trail HDs, not much weight was required.

Hi slow sent you a PM.

[bsmith0404]

That is typically a sign of a poor tire. When I put the Carlisles on my 5er 2 of them balanced with less than 2 oz. One took 3.5 so the tech spun the wheel a quarter turn on the rim and rebalanced, it took 2.5 oz. The 4th tire took 4.5 oz, tried spinning it, but that didn't help so he mounted a different tire, it took 1.75 oz.

Recently I installed new wheels rated for 110 psi and upgraded to Hartland LRG tires to include both spares. Of the 6 tires the most weight used was 2.75 oz, the best one was .75.

[BuxCamper]

Make sure the tech is doing the balancing with the rim mounted through the lugs and not the center holes. Trailer rims center holes are not punched as accurately as car rims.

-- Mark

[NorskeBob]

Make sure the tech is doing the balancing with the rim mounted through the lugs and not the center holes. Trailer rims center holes are not punched as accurately as car rims.

-- Mark


He used the center hole method - may have been the reason for the weights. I think that is the only method he was set up for. Will watch the wear on the tires. At least they should be balanced without any balancing.

Have purchased Cooper tires from the Shop (car and truck) and that is where I took the trailer tires to for mounting and balancing on our last fifth wheel.

[Dave W]

Make sure the tech is doing the balancing with the rim mounted through the lugs and not the center holes. Trailer rims center holes are not punched as accurately as car rims.

-- Mark

I doubt very much that cast/forged aluminum wheels are 'punched' but are finish machined with a single lathe or boring mill set up and can be used either hub or lug centric depending on your application. I would be more concerned with the mass produced drum hub then a wheel.

Oh and the 'E' 16" LTs on our 5er - 1/2 to 2 ounces and hub centric balanced.

[flybouy]

I doubt very much that cast/forged aluminum wheels are 'punched' but are finish machined with a single lathe or boring mill set up and can be used either hub or lug centric depending on your application. I would be more concerned with the mass produced drum hub then a wheel.

Oh and the 'E' 16" LTs on our 5er - 1/2 to 2 ounces and hub centric balanced.

I don't know what brand wheel is on your unit but I would recommend finding out and contacting them. Mine are Sendel and the manufacturer told me theirs are lug centric.