Trailer tire not balanced...

[AG]

beyond 60 mph, the left side vibrates like crazy... I checked the tire itself for bubbles -there are none. I thought it was grease, but there is none coming out of the seal.<br /><br />Is there such a thing as balancing a trailer wheel tire? I think I have a 13".<br /><br />Thank you very much...<br /><br />A.

 

[bomar76]

Re: Trailer tire not balanced...

If you consider the huge amount of rotating mass in a trailer tire and rim....it certainly sould be balanced.<br />Why some people don't do it is beyond me <br /><br />Also, jack up the wheel and shake the tire...you may have a wheel bearing that has headed south.<br /><br />Could also have bent a rim.

 

[AG]

Re: Trailer tire not balanced...

No, the bearings are fine, in fact I just repacked them with marine grease - took it on a 700 mile trip and the wheels aren't even warm to the touch.<br /><br />The rim is fine, it must be a balancing problem. my question -- can trailer wheels be balanced professionally at a gas station or tire store? <br /><br />Thanks for responding.

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: Trailer tire not balanced...

Hi Ag. Sure your trailer wheels can be balaced, but you might get some flack from the guys at the shop. Most (in my experience) tire places will tell you it's not necessary. "It's ONLY a trailer", they'll say. I say you can feel the vibration in the tow vehicle as well, and why risk ruining your bearings or blowing a tire at highway speeds.

 

[Maximerc]

Re: Trailer tire not balanced...

For a trailer tire I clean off the bearing and lube it with dryslide, bolt the tire in question back on spin it slow . let it stop , mark it do it again mark it... the heavy side drops to the bottom . You can some times by tire weights at auto parts stores.. Oh yea dont forget to relube you bearing !! You can check your wheel for straightness too with a screw driver ,, spin the wheel and slowly move the driver nearer the wheel till it touches .. if you can support your hand on the fender or something. If it hits every so often your wheel may be bad you can do the same for the tire and you can check for out of round that way too move the driver into the tread slowly.

 

[AG]

Re: Trailer tire not balanced...

Thanks guys.