Do Trailer Wheel/Tire Setups Need to be Balanced

Updated 07/24/2013 | Published 07/22/2013

Question:

I am buying two 4.8 by 12 trailer tires from you. Im going to have them mounted to rims that I already have no dings or curb marks, they are in very good shape Do they need to be balanced or should they be good to go? Thanks

asked by: Ken

Helpful Expert Reply:

You should be fine as most people do not have trailer wheels and tires balanced, but if you are having a shop mount the tires, and you want to have them balanced, it probably would not cost much more to have the setup balanced as well.

One reason people do not balance trailer tires is that the balance weights have a tendency to bounce off when the trailer is unloaded and being towed. The light load of the trailer can sometimes cause the trailer to bounce as it travels down the road which causes the weights to come off.

Sometimes your average tire shop will not be able to balance trailer tires, so you may contact wherever you plan on going first to determine if its even possible for you.

Most people to do not feel a difference between towing a trailer with balanced wheels vs. unbalanced wheels.

expert reply by: Jameson C