Do Trailer Tires Need to Be Balanced

Question:

Do trailer tires need to be balanced

asked by: Gary M

Helpful Expert Reply:

It is not a requirement to balance trailer tires like you do for your vehicle tires. The reason for this is because the trailer tires have a tendency to "throw weights". This means that the weights come off the wheels. This can happen for a number of reasons, but it is not uncommon for the weights to be thrown off when towing a trailer empty (the trailer bounces excessively because of the no load conditions) or when making very tight turns on tandem or tri axle trailers.

Furthermore, the galvanized wheel/tire you were looking at, part # AM31952 should not be balanced. When the steel wheel is dipped into the vat of molten galvanized and then pulled out, some of the liquid zinc always accumulates on one end. Which makes galvanized wheels incredibly difficult to balance. But the galvanized coating does provide one of the best corrosion resistance to harsh environments such as salt water.

expert reply by: Conner L