Forum Discussion

jamnw's avatar
jamnw
Explorer
Apr 26, 2013

Balancing RV tires

I've been reading a little about tires; brands, LR, and balancing.

I know this is a question that has been batted back and forth, but do the RV and tire manufacturers not read these forums or listen to customers?

It seems most RV tires are not balanced.

My TT came with Carlisle tires. They were not balanced, and I was too ignorant to check or realize they needed to be.

After three years, I finally realized the tires were about to blow. All 4 had really bad "cupping".
I went to a tire/repair shop local to me and the guy just could not believe they weren't balanced.
I purchased new tires from him, he balanced them and they've been fine since. The new tires are wearing great, I keep them properly inflated and covered when not in use.

I feel like the manufacturer cost me a new set of tires. They're out of business and were when I noticed the problem so my rant is probably pointless.

Bottom line, if you're new to this, check your tires and don't let anyone tell you that TT tires don't need balancing.

Oh and now I read about "lug centric" vs "cone centric" balancing...

25 Replies

  • If your tires cupped, you may want to look at having your axels aligned. Cost me a $150 to get an alignment last spring. I was surprised at how much the alignment was out.
  • ronniedean1234 wrote:
    They build these things as cheap as possible, saving and nickel here and a nickel there, adds up over time. I do agree they should be balanced so we use Equal Tire Balancer in every thing we own from the pick up truck up to the semis....
    also that's why we are contuinually fixing things falling apart..
  • The build these things as cheap as possible, saving and nickel here and a nickel there adds up over time. I do agree they should be balanced so we use Equal Tire Balancer in every thing we own from the pick up truck up to the semis....
  • Ron3rd's avatar
    Ron3rd
    Explorer III
    My tires on my old trailer weren't balanced either when new. Americas Tire/Discount Tire won't install them without balancing. Consensus is they should be balanced.

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