Should Tires Be Balanced When Installed on Dexstar Galvanized Wheel # AM20134

Updated 01/16/2012 | Published 01/13/2012

Question:

Both wheel rims on my light boat trailer do not run true. Do your galv rims 4.80x12x5on4.5 turn true enough to balance ok for a trailer? Should tires be balanced for highway driving?

asked by: Phil

Expert Reply:

If the wheels on your boat trailer are galvanized and are not bent, and seem to be in good condition, you could be having problems with the finish of your wheels. Since the finish of a galvanized wheel is done by applying zinc to the wheel through an electrical charge, you could have a wheel that might not have the zinc applied evenly. This could cause the wheel to have heavy spots. It is not a common problem with a good, quality galvanized wheel.

The Dexstar Galvanized Wheel, part # AM20134, that you have referenced, has a high-quality galvanized finish. These wheels should run true on your boat trailer and be able to be balanced correctly.

Yes, I would always recommend to balance a tire to a wheel to eliminate any chance of vibration or uneven tire wear.

expert reply by: Jeff D