Are Trailer Wheels Marked for Where to Mount Trailer Tires

Published 09/22/2016

Question:

Tires often have yellow and/or red dots. Yellow dots indicate the lightest point on the tire, and tires would mount with the yellow dot by the valve stem. Red dots indicate the point of the tires maximum radial runout, and tires would mount with the yellow dot by the point of minimum radial runout on the wheel. If the wheel is marked at the point of minimum runout, using the red dot is preferred. Are Dexstar wheels, specifically the AM20514, marked at the point of minimum radial runout, and if so, how?

asked by: Mike S

Expert Reply:

Yes they are marked with the red dot for the radial run out. If you took the wheel to a shop to have them mounted they would know where to put the tire on the rim # AM20514.

Typically the yellow dot indicates the point on the tire that SHOULD be mounted next to the valve stem for the best balance.

The red dot is the uniformity mark. As well as not being able to manufacture perfectly weighted tires, it's also nearly impossible to make a tire which is perfectly circular. Every tire has a high and a low spot, the difference of which is called radial run out. Manufacturers typically mark this high point with a red dot on the tire sidewall.

expert reply by: Jameson C