Tire Balancing

[crewstx]

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I am changing to Goodyear G614 tires on 16 in rims for my 2010 Montana 34RL.
The dealer on has center holding wheel capability but can borrow the finger holding set. Treditt which manufacturers the wheel rim says they are meant to be center balanced only by use of finger balance method which picks up bolt holes.y Montana dealer says they do not balance their tires unless they get a reason such as large vibration.

I have had two tier places try to balance these tires and each time they get a balance at one place on the balancer and the rotate the tire about 90 degrees the next time it shows out of balance.

Is my dealer correct in that you do not need to balance fith wheel tires. and has anyone else had this experience?

[JIMNLIN]

C.B. wrote:
I take mine to a local Auto/Truck Alignment Shop.
They spin balance with wheels mounted on fifth wheel.
They also balance the front wheels on my truck that way.


C.B.

Most truck tire dealers I've did business with will only balance trailer wheels or lug centered applications this way.

They also would match mark the lug inline with the valve stem.

[C_B_]

I take mine to a local Auto/Truck Alignment Shop.
They spin balance with wheels mounted on fifth wheel.
They also balance the front wheels on my truck that way.


C.B.

[bpounds]

crewstx wrote:

I have had two tier places try to balance these tires and each time they get a balance at one place on the balancer and the rotate the tire about 90 degrees the next time it shows out of balance.

That's not uncommon. Usually they don't clock the tires and check again, because they know they will be chasing their tails forever trying to get it perfect. Doesn't need to be that perfect.

Did you ask them to clock the tire and check it again? That's the only reason they would do that in my experience, which means you are overthinking this and trying to get perfection. In doing that you're just giving yourself a headache needlessly.

[RCMAN46]

I was thinking about this statement. (yes I know an Old man thinking is dangerous)

"The lug holes are seldom concentric to the rims tire bead seat flange"

This can be easily checked by raising the tire on the trailer so it is just off the ground. Rotate the wheel and see if the tire runs true. If it does not then either the above statement is true or the tire is the problem. Or it can even be the brake drum/hub studs not concentric with the bearing bores.

I have found the brake drum braking surface not concentric with the bearing bores on three of my 5th wheel drums. Had a machine shop correct that problem.

Also if the above statement is true not likely the tire can be balanced even with beads. If it is the wheel replace it with a good one.

[laknox]

If it rotates, it should be balanced.

Lyle

[Hunter11]

X3 on balance beads

[thedoghouse]

X2 on balance beads

[Gib3633]

I agree with Equal. You have tire dealer that sells equal to break down the one sidewall and throw in a 6 ounce bag and blow up the tire. It works great. It is always working and never needs re balancing. It re balances every time you stop and start.

[sdetweil]

RCMAN46 wrote:


I have had good luck with balance beads taking care of the balance problems with trailer tires and brake drums/hubs.

+1.. I also use balance beads and in the truck tires.

[RCMAN46]

JIMNLIN wrote:

The dealer on has center holding wheel capability but can borrow the finger holding set. Treditt which manufacturers the wheel rim says they are meant to be center balanced only by use of finger balance method which picks up bolt holes.

Trailer wheels are lug centered as a trailer axle hub has no centering stub unlike our truck wheels. The hole in the trailer wheel is just a clearance hole.

Montana dealer says they do not balance their tires unless they get a reason such as large vibration.

I've owned three rv trailers and 14-15 flatdeck/equipment/stock trailers/boats/cargo and wore out dozens of tires on those trailers and have never had one balanced. I only balance them if a out of balance issue pops up (tread wear pattern) which is rare however I don't use ST tires on any of those trailers.

I have had two tier places try to balance these tires and each time they get a balance at one place on the balancer and the rotate the tire about 90 degrees the next time it shows out of balance.

This is typical of most steel trailer wheels and cheap aluminum wheels. The lug holes are seldom concentric to the rims tire bead seat flange. most Quality aluminum wheels are machined so its a better chance the bead seat flange is concentric to the lugs.
And along with that issue is the trailers hubs are not balanced.

Other have their reasons/preferences.

I have had good luck with balance beads taking care of the balance problems with trailer tires and brake drums/hubs.

[JIMNLIN]

The dealer on has center holding wheel capability but can borrow the finger holding set. Treditt which manufacturers the wheel rim says they are meant to be center balanced only by use of finger balance method which picks up bolt holes.

Trailer wheels are lug centered as a trailer axle hub has no centering stub unlike our truck wheels. The hole in the trailer wheel is just a clearance hole.

Montana dealer says they do not balance their tires unless they get a reason such as large vibration.

I've owned three rv trailers and 14-15 flatdeck/equipment/stock trailers/boats/cargo and wore out dozens of tires on those trailers and have never had one balanced. I only balance them if a out of balance issue pops up (tread wear pattern) which is rare however I don't use ST tires on any of those trailers.

I have had two tier places try to balance these tires and each time they get a balance at one place on the balancer and the rotate the tire about 90 degrees the next time it shows out of balance.

This is typical of most steel trailer wheels and cheap aluminum wheels. The lug holes are seldom concentric to the rims tire bead seat flange. most Quality aluminum wheels are machined so its a better chance the bead seat flange is concentric to the lugs.
And along with that issue is the trailers hubs are not balanced.

Other have their reasons/preferences.

[ol_Bombero-JC]

RAS43 wrote:
You are going to get comments on both sides of this issue. IMO if it is a tire that runs on pavement it should be balanced for better life. And it also may be easier on the equipment it is running on due to less vibration. It is true that trailer tires are not normally balanced at the factory but that doesn't make it right. I have all my vehicle, trailer and boat trailer tires when first installed. Vehicles get rechecked later on.

All of the above!

You're spending big bucks for the tires!

The cost to have them balanced is chump change and a no brainer...:W

~

[ford_truck_guy]

I have been running the GY G614's on my 5er since 2008 and each time I either replace 1 ... or all .. I have them static balanced....With zero issues

[2oldman]

dupe