White Knight II
Thompson, Mb
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Joined: 07/10/2010
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First of all, let me say thanks to all of you for relating your knowledge/experience. As a a person that is new to fifth wheels, I'm sure that it will all come in handy eventually.
This is my first post and it seems to be a hot topic. Of those of you that have had problems with these or any other tires, were your tires balanced? It seems strange to me that some people relater very negative experiences while others are quite the opposite.
I looked under my 2010 Eagle 29.5 RKS and my tires appear to not have been balanced at the factory. I, for one, will spend the money unless there is enough that say they have balanced and had it not make a difference. I'm sorry if it sounds like I'm beating a dead horse, but I haven't seen a lot about balancing of tires.
Again thanks to all for your related experiences and help.
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fordsooperdooty
Southern California
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Joined: 08/13/2004
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None of my 7 Jayco tire's had balance weights on them, nor were they needed, as evidenced by no unusual wear patterns, and averaging 30-40,000+ miles before replacements. All were Goodyear Marathon ST's.
I don't believe that I've ever seen a RV Trailer come from the factory with balance weights. One idiot on another forum stated that he puts a Equal packet of sweetner in each tire when mounted and claims "One time balance, all you have to do is rotate."
"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and consciencious stupidity."
-Martin Luther King, Jr.
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TubaPete
Comstock Park, MI
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Joined: 03/05/2005
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If they have been balanced, you will see balance weights. No other way.
If you research these threads you will see a lot of support for balancing. Most tire problem threads do not address balancing. Balancing should improve tire life and lessen vibration inside the unit. Not a lot of hard data to "prove" it.
Tuba Pete
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ol Bombero-JC
USA
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Joined: 06/24/2004
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fordsooperdooty wrote:None of my 7 Jayco tire's had balance weights on them, nor were they needed, as evidenced by no unusual wear patterns, and averaging 30-40,000+ miles before replacements. All were Goodyear Marathon ST's.
I don't believe that I've ever seen a RV Trailer come from the factory with balance weights. One idiot on another forum stated that he puts a Equal packet of sweetner in each tire when mounted and claims "One time balance, all you have to do is rotate."
Interesting! Sooper is a proponent of GY tires.
Goodyear indicates all tires should be balanced.
That's good advice - especially from GY !!
BTW - there's lots of "things" trailer mfgrs cut corners on - the bean counters aren't going to bother with the time - or the dime!
Because it's a trailer, you won't know *if* there is an unbalanced tire/wheel until you have some uneven wear - and lost "miles" out of the tire.
*Maybe* you will never have any uneven wear - all perfect. But - everything changes any time a tire is removed, repaired, or replaced.
Balancing anything that rotates at "speed" is an excellent plan - and it's dirt cheap (often included in the price of the tire).
IMO the question should really be - other than paying for it, tell me why *NOT* to balance tires/wheels?
~
JC
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KSadler1
Albuquerque, NM
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Joined: 05/30/2007
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Drive your car around with unbalanced tires and then imagine your trailer with unbalanced tires. I've heard a lot of people say they don't balance trailer tires. More power to them, but I agree with JC. If it rotates at high speeds it needs to be balanced. It also improves gas mileage.....
Ken
2008 Ford F250 XLT Super Duty SB Crew Cab 6.8L V-10 4x4 4:10
(Just sold the 5er but have a lot of great memories)
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amxpress
Clayton, NC
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Joined: 04/14/2007
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If it rotates, spins or rolls, it should be balanced. Especially if it is a 20#, 28" diameter spinning mass of rubber & steel.
Trailer tires aren't balanced from the factory because of cost.
There was a post on here where someone road in his fiver before & after the tires were balanced. He said there was a big difference in the ride quality.
Balance your trailer tires.
2007 Dodge RAM 2500 Quad Cab w/6.7 Cummins
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Chuck&Gail
In the Colorado Mountains
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I always get mine balanced, and install metal valve stems. IMO TT suspension will last much longer.
Chuck
Wonderful Wife
Australian Shepherd
2010 Ford Expedition TV
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JIMNLIN
out here
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Joined: 09/14/2003
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Never had any of my trailer tires balanced. Even any of my RV's I've owned.
Zero issues with tire wear like a tow vehicle.
"good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" ............ Will Rogers
'03 2500 QC Dodge/Cummins HO 3.73 6 speed manual Jacobs Westach
'97 Park Avanue 28' 5er 11200 gvwr two slides
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larandjane
Mannford, OK
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I pay to have mine balanced mostly to protect the trailer from any more vibration then it already gets
Larry and Beautiful Wife
2005 HR Savoy 29RKS 2007 Chevy 2500
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Brent and Gina
Arkansas
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Joined: 12/28/2008
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Odd. I thought all tire shops balance when they install. All of the ones I have ever used have. Makes me wonder why an RV mfr would agree to push out their valuable product without a simple, inexpensive (usually no cost) issue covered.
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