VC 23RSS Posted August 2, 2022 Report Share Posted August 2, 2022 I want to remove my wheels to check the brakes and bearings and figure I'll run the Goodyear Endurance tires side at a time down to the local garage to have them balanced. Some say it isn't necessary but that's not the question here. My concern is will I get and accurate balance since the tires haven't moved in 3 months and may have flat spots? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lappir Posted August 2, 2022 Report Share Posted August 2, 2022 There are so many questions. How old are the tires? How long since the last move? Have they been on concrete, grass, gravel or asphalt for the most recent park? Why do you feel the need for balancing? I've recently started working at a Tire Retailer. Back in the 70's I worked at a Full Service "Gas" station and mainly took care of automotive and light truck tires. Now the shop handles almost everything. What I've learned so far with my own tires and from the recent experience at the shop. Trailer tires need to be moved or at least have much of the pressure taken off of them when sitting for long periods. Loss of flex is what you are calling "Flat Spotting" actual Flat spotting is when the tire is slid for a way's during a panic stop or a malfunction of a brake. It actually removes rubber from a single spot causing the flat spot on the tread. None of the Over The Road trucks and trailers ever balance the tires, except for steer tires and they toss in a bag of balance beads usually and that's it. Others have used the "Centramatic" disc's behind the wheels and swear by them. Some even on axles other than steers. It's your choice. I decided on my last tire purchase to use the least expensive tires on the trailer, similar to what came on it from the factory. I got over 7 years on 6 of them, but "Flat Spotted" two with a brake malfunction and had to replace them last spring. On the truck I buy "Good" Steer tires and have gone to mid price drives. I did have equal tossed in all the tires the first time I had them changed but went with just the steers last spring and haven't noticed anything different. That's not exactly true. When I had the "Good" drive tires put on 7 years ago, they were squirrely for over a 1000 miles. Brother (owner of the tire shop) told me that was common on brand new tires until they got through a few heat and cooling cycles. The lesser expensive tires didn't seem to need as much break in time. So if you want to have the trailer tires balanced, check the pressure in all of them, hook up and take a drive to warm them up good before removing them. Have the shop put them on the machine and give them a spin. You will be able to tell how much out of balance they were by the number and size of the weights applied. Steel wheels are the best to have so the weights are attached firmly to the wheel. Aluminum wheels need to be cleaned and an adhesive backed weight is placed. They don't often come off, but the residue from the adhesive attracts dirt and can cause a misbalance after a time if allowed to build up. More info than you probably wanted. Hope it helped anyway. Rod Quote White 2000/2010Volvo VNL 770 with 7' Drom box with opposing doors, JOST slider hitch. 600 HP Cummins Signature 18 Speed three pedal auto shift. 1999 Isuzu VehiCross retired to a sticks and bricks garage. Brought out of storage the summer of 2022 2022 Jeep Wrangler Sport S Two door hard top. 2007 Honda GL 1800 2013 Space Craft Mfg S420 Custom built Toyhauler The Gold Volvo is still running and being emptied in July. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star Dreamer Posted August 2, 2022 Report Share Posted August 2, 2022 If possible, I would take the trailer for a spin around the area for at least 15 minutes if possible. It would be a shame to pay the money for the balancing and it not be right. I always balance my RV trailer tires as it will give a smoother ride for the trailer and we all know how poor our roads are. We pull with a semi truck and use the Centramatic wheel balancers on all of the wheels on it and they have improved the ride immensely. Quote 2005 Freightliner Century S/T, Singled, Air ride ET Jr. hitch 2019 46'+ Dune Sport Man Cave custom 5th wheel toy hauler Owner of the 1978 Custom Van "Star Dreamer" which might be seen at a local car show near you! Check out http://www.hhrvresource.com/ for much more info on HDT's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted August 2, 2022 Report Share Posted August 2, 2022 Everyone I know who runs highway with ANY type of truck, balances all tires. Whether balancing beads or lead weights, it gets done. And most folks who care about their trailers and loads, balance the trailer tires as well. Personally, I've found balancing camper tires makes the trailer last longer, as you aren't inducing vibrations into the structure. The lighter the trailer, the more important this becomes. So, my personally opinion is, yes, tow the trailer around a bit to exercise the tires back into "round", and then balance. Quote KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio1@comcast.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VC 23RSS Posted August 2, 2022 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2022 The trailer was built 01/21/21. i could check the date code to be more specific. Trailer has about 5,500 miles and not unusual wear patterns developing. Currently sitting on limestone for 3 months at home. I called my local garage and he does have the lug centric adapter but agrees balancing them without putting some miles on them is a waste of time and money. Just as I thought. Last winter we were parked for four months and when we left to come home I monitored the rear camera at different speeds in hopes of catching any excessive vibration and saw none. This year we will be staying 7 months in one spot. I guess the best way to do it is to stop at a tire shop on my way south and go get lunch while they are being balanced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray,IN Posted August 3, 2022 Report Share Posted August 3, 2022 Always inflate ST - special trailer tires to sidewall listed pressure! This is due to the extreme stress put on tandem axle tires during sharp turns. It is so important Carlisle Tire used to state in their warranty that running less than sidewall pressure voided the warranty. During storage, inflating to 10psi over sidewall listed pressure is recommended, to prevent inducing a permanent set in the cord plies. Answering your question, yes I've always balanced all vehicle tires for the reasons rickelo stated. Quote 2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA ." And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy 20 Jan 1961 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray,IN Posted August 3, 2022 Report Share Posted August 3, 2022 Just now, Ray,IN said: Always inflate ST - special trailer tires to sidewall listed pressure! This is due to the extreme stress put on tandem axle tires during sharp turns. It is so important Carlisle Tire used to state in their warranty that running less than sidewall pressure voided the warranty. (side note; I once watched a man make a spot turn on a TX blacktop highway with a 5er, the hot pavement and extreme sidewall flex rolled one tire so much it broke the bead seal and flattened that tire) During storage, inflating to 10psi over sidewall listed pressure is recommended, to prevent inducing a permanent set in the cord plies. Answering your question, yes I've always balanced all vehicle tires for the reasons rickelo stated. Quote 2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA ." And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy 20 Jan 1961 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TireHobby Posted August 15, 2022 Report Share Posted August 15, 2022 Trailer wheels are lug centric and cannot be properly balanced without a lug centric balancing adapter. Quote 38' fiver - Dodge Dually AKA: FastEagle USN Retired - DOD Retired - SSA Retired Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star Dreamer Posted August 16, 2022 Report Share Posted August 16, 2022 (edited) 12 hours ago, TireHobby said: Trailer wheels are lug centric and cannot be properly balanced without a lug centric balancing adapter. Disregard my comment, I found what I was looking for. Edited August 16, 2022 by Star Dreamer Quote 2005 Freightliner Century S/T, Singled, Air ride ET Jr. hitch 2019 46'+ Dune Sport Man Cave custom 5th wheel toy hauler Owner of the 1978 Custom Van "Star Dreamer" which might be seen at a local car show near you! Check out http://www.hhrvresource.com/ for much more info on HDT's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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