Should I Balance My New Tires?
I plan on installing new tires on my FW this weekend. Should I have them balanced? Thanks
Forum Discussion
Larry, every single thing you said I also experienced.
I have looked at a lot of trailer brake drums over the years and unlike cars or trucks; I have yet to see one that has balancing weights on them. That is like balancing a crank in an engine but not the pistons or rods. Why bother if not all of the components are balanced?
I still own the same trailer my dad did. I have no idea how many miles it has on it but it has WAAAY over 100K for sure and two trips to Alaska on it on the Al-Can hwy. As far as I know 3 of the 4 hubs has the OEM bearings it had when this trailer was built in 1986. I "think" my dad told me he lost a bearing in AK one time. I know he lost a spring but not sure he lost a bearing also? I never replaced the bearings in any of the hubs; that's for sure.
I race cars so I know a lot of tire store owners. Some of them are old, some of them are young but EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM has told me this when I get my tires: "If you want, I will balance your tires for you, but it will make no difference on your trailer. I will take your money if you want but trailer tires don't need balancing."
I found it telling that every single one of them told me that! To me, that is very telling.
Over the years I probably have saved over a grand by not balancing my tires on my trailers. I have more important things to spend my grand on. Like adult beverages! :B
I have looked at a lot of trailer brake drums over the years and unlike cars or trucks; I have yet to see one that has balancing weights on them. That is like balancing a crank in an engine but not the pistons or rods. Why bother if not all of the components are balanced?
I still own the same trailer my dad did. I have no idea how many miles it has on it but it has WAAAY over 100K for sure and two trips to Alaska on it on the Al-Can hwy. As far as I know 3 of the 4 hubs has the OEM bearings it had when this trailer was built in 1986. I "think" my dad told me he lost a bearing in AK one time. I know he lost a spring but not sure he lost a bearing also? I never replaced the bearings in any of the hubs; that's for sure.
I race cars so I know a lot of tire store owners. Some of them are old, some of them are young but EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM has told me this when I get my tires: "If you want, I will balance your tires for you, but it will make no difference on your trailer. I will take your money if you want but trailer tires don't need balancing."
I found it telling that every single one of them told me that! To me, that is very telling.
Over the years I probably have saved over a grand by not balancing my tires on my trailers. I have more important things to spend my grand on. Like adult beverages! :B
