Balance Trailer Tires

[swankster]

I have talked to two tire shops and 2 guys at each shop and have a 50/50 response on whether or not to balance trailer tires. So why not get a planetnautique opinion poll.

[rbalan]

You need to add an option:

"As long as I am paying the same amount for mounting as someone with a car/truck getting mounted and balanced, they better balance them"

[Woody_tobius_jr]

I'm all for balancing, even if it costs a few bucks more, why not try to get the maximum mileage from your tires. When I bought my boat, the previous owner didn't have the tires balanced, and they looked really bad. I replaced the tires right away and had them balanced. 3 years later, and 2 trips to the states ( about 900 km each way) plus the running back and forth to the lakes around here, the tires are wearing great. My .02 worth 😊


Sent from my iPad

[jonsquatch]

While it may not affect how it tows at all and I can't feel it in the truck I like to have them balanced. I go through tires fast as it is due to mileage and I go through enough wheel bearings already. If reducing vibration saves a little wear and tear on the boat and trailer then its worth it to me, and even if it doesn't at least the next time I am laying under the trailer on 130 degree blacktop on the side of I-10 in 115 degrees wearing pants and a work jacket to avoid serious burns I wont have to wonder if balancing the tires would have helped.

[Nautiquehunter]

If a tire is out of balance it will hop at high speed causing cupping on the thread. Soon your tires will look and roll like a sawblade. If you are trying to save a few bucks this is not a good place to do it.

[rbalan]

I'm really curious if any of the places you get your trailer tires mounted charge any less for not balancing. In my experience, it has mostly not been the case.

[jonsquatch]

No they usually charge the same... it is often bundles as "Installation and Balancing 12-16 bucks a tire" and once they see its a trailer they just choose not to do the balancing unless you make them, and often they don't even ask or tell you they are not going to do it and of course there is no refund for not doing the work. I usually ask up front and specify I want them balanced then watch to make sure they do it. If they refuse to do the balancing there is often a 5-6 buck tire mounting only service however most places that is cash and carry only and you have to remove/install them on the trailer yourself, you have to pay the money for the full service including the balance you wont get if you want them installed for you.

I had one place try to refuse as they said that the excuse was that trailer rims are not built to the same standards as automotive wheels and may be out of balance enough to cause damage to their equipment, an argument that held no water since like so many others mine came with low profile SUV tires on custom wheels rather than equipment actually rated for trailer use.

[wakejunky]

If you didn't do the balance during the install, you can opt to do the balance beads for fairly cheap. Save the money from having to go back to a shop and you get the benefit of a balanced tire.

[Tmosely1]

With all the stories you hear about tires blowing out... I'll pay a little more to get them balanced. Keep in mind that there are sometimes failures in the manufacturing process that could cause a tire to be so bad it couldn't be balanced. That's the whole reason for balancing. I think that the tire shops get used to telling people that because your typical trailer tire sale is to guys with utility and work trailers that don't really care.. they just want out cheap.

I pull for 48 minutes each way to my ramp at highway speed on a road that is far from perfect. So my bearings and spindles get enough abuse without a unbalanced tire on also. I'm guessing if you tell the same tire guy that you are hauling a 150k boat around a trailer not rated for much more than the boats weight, he will likely tell you to balance the tires. My 2cents..

[swankster]

Discount tire was $6 to un-mount / mount and $15 to balance, per tire. I paid for the balancing, figuring it would be worth it in the long run.