Do Bias Ply Trailer Wheel/Tires Need to be Balanced more than Radials

Updated 12/11/2018 | Published 12/10/2018

Question:

Can you “bead” balance these bias tires? Or should I go to a radial tire in the same size in order to balance them?

asked by: Jon

Helpful Expert Reply:

Actually trailer tires don't normally get balanced so typically it's not an issue but in general radial tires are better overall so if you were considering a radial I would recommend that highly. Trailer tires and wheels are marked where the heavy and light points are so what the people who mount them will do is line those up properly and you get a balanced enough setup. In general people who go ahead and balance trailer tires don't notice a difference.

The main difference between a radial ply and a bias ply tire is how the tire is constructed. The cords inside a bias ply tire run at a 32 degree angle to the direction of travel, and the cords on a radial tire run at a 90 degree angle to the direction of travel, or across the tire from wheel lip to wheel lip.

A radial tire flexes more than a bias tire, giving it better ground contact, traction, stability, and tread wear.

A radial tire will normally run cooler than a bias ply tire, especially when the tire is under a load. A tire that runs cooler will last longer.

expert reply by: Jameson C