Tire rotation.

[grizz272]

I have always rotated the tires on our previous campers. I have also had the tires balanced. Is this something I need to continue with the new fifth-wheel?

[N-Trouble]

laknox wrote:

grizz272 wrote:
I have always rotated the tires on our previous campers. I have also had the tires balanced. Is this something I need to continue with the new fifth-wheel?

Most trailer tires show very little wear, even high-milers, unless there's an issue with the axles or suspension. The only reason I can think of for rotating tires would be if you've scaled each wheel and you know you have a heavy side or a particularly heavy corner. As for balancing, =that= will cause severe tire wear if you've got an out of balance tire. I've seen a couple FWs going down the road where one wheel was bouncing badly enough to see daylight between the tire and the road. IMO, =anything= that rotates that fast needs balancing.

Lyle

There are other more likely reasons a tire would bounce like that than a balancing issue.

[fj12ryder]

How do Magic Balancing Beads work? Magic of course. Be aware also that any moisture in the tire can cause the beads to clump. Weights are the sensible way to go.

[Turn_Key]

grizz272 wrote:
Balancing beads? Never heard of them. What are they, and how do they work?

Here you go;

Tire Balancing Beads

Have heard them but never used them. Idea makes sense but I have just always used the weights.

Happy CCamping!

[Turn_Key]

Balance; yes. Rotate; no.

[grizz272]

Balancing beads? Never heard of them. What are they, and how do they work?

[All_I_could_aff]

Balancing beads in the tire will help compensate for the unbalanced hub assembly. And you won’t need to degree the rim to the hub each time you remove for inspection /maintenance.

[grizz272]

I will balance the new trailer tires. I will rethink the tire rotation though.

[laknox]

grizz272 wrote:
I have always rotated the tires on our previous campers. I have also had the tires balanced. Is this something I need to continue with the new fifth-wheel?

Most trailer tires show very little wear, even high-milers, unless there's an issue with the axles or suspension. The only reason I can think of for rotating tires would be if you've scaled each wheel and you know you have a heavy side or a particularly heavy corner. As for balancing, =that= will cause severe tire wear if you've got an out of balance tire. I've seen a couple FWs going down the road where one wheel was bouncing badly enough to see daylight between the tire and the road. IMO, =anything= that rotates that fast needs balancing.

Lyle

[JIMNLIN]

I don't balance tires on my trailers simply because trailer hubs aren't balanced and those 26" very short leaf springs work like a big damper.

My truck tire dealer many years ago showed me what happens when a tire is spun balanced then placed on the trailer and spun with a old spin the tire mounted to the vehicle machine.
1. he mounted a LT tire (no weights) on the jacked up trailer and spun it...no shaking.

2. then took the wheel off and spun balanced it per lug center adapter....placed it back on the trailer and spun it up...the trailer shook severally.

3. he then pulled the weights off the tire and spun balanced it on the trailer...matched marked the stem to one of the lugs. Just like #1 no shaking.
He then rotaded the wheel two lug holes and spun it up....more shaking.

Moral of my story is if I was going to have a tire balanced on any of my trailers it would be done on the trailer.

Rotating ?
Only if a brake loacked up and severally flat spotted one tire I rotate it with the spare.
Left and right turns scrub the tires differently so wear equals out.
Loads fore and aft....side to side change continually all making same wear on all the tires unlike the tires on the tow vehicle.

Other folks have their own ideas.

[rhagfo]

Balance new, never rotate.

[SabreCanuck]

I have done both on all trailers. I have a tread gauge that tells me if I have one tire wearing more than any others and I rotate as required. Extends the life of the tires and have them off every season anyway so why not.

[B_O__Plenty]

time2roll wrote:
Trailer tires all see virtually the same forces and do not need rotating the position like the tow vehicle with drive wheels vs steer wheels etc.

Besides if you develop an alignment issue you will know exactly where to look.

I agree. They don't steer and have no power applied to them. Balance yes, keeps from shaking the suspension apart. Rotate no.

B.O.

[time2roll]

Trailer tires all see virtually the same forces and do not need rotating the position like the tow vehicle with drive wheels vs steer wheels etc.

Besides if you develop an alignment issue you will know exactly where to look.

[wilber1]

Yes to balance, don't see the point in rotating if they are wearing the same. I've always changed mine because of age, not wear.