Trailer vibration

[FISHON317]

I had a vibration at 70 mph pulling boat the other day. I purchased a new truck and it sat higher so I leveled it and I still have it. It’s not the truck but my question is do you all balance trailer tires?

[1ranger487vs]

I do

[Bill Reynolds]

Is it a single axle trailer? If so check for a weak spring on one side. Measure the height from the ground the transom of the boat on both sides (should be same within 1/4 inch). A weak spring will cause the tire on the affected side to wear on the outside.
This is a long shot, but should not be overlooked.
It is more likely that you have a tire problem. I would take it to a tire shop that can do a Road Force balance.

[catdude28]

In 50 years of boating, I never balanced trailer tires until an experience that I had four years ago. I sold my boat to somebody, and put on new tires that were balanced by the tire retailer. Before my buyer picked up the boat, I got to trailer it twice and noticed a huge difference towing at speed on the highway. Needless to say, on my next new rig I had the tires balanced, and, will do so with any future rigs.

[mactlman]

i always have trailer tires balanced

[SteezMacQueen]

They come balanced, so I keep them balanced.

[djb750]

Yes to balancing them.
On my last boat, I headed out one morning and felt a weird vibration. Just hadn’t felt it before. About 10 miles later I had tread separation. Did’t actually blow out, but wouldve destroyed the fiberglass fender if I kept going. Kenda tires.

[Gthunter5]

had a brand new trailer that had a resonance at 72 mph. would go. thru the truck - it wasn't terrible but very noticeable and the fenders shook on the trailer.

I carried the tires in to be balanced. they had balance beads in them. we went to weights and it pulls smooth. not gonna mention the boat brand.

[FISHON317]

Ok thanks all

[250bassFL]

Yes

[krindgen]

I balance. I hope you don't have a belt getting ready to let go. Takes a few miles, but had it happen to me end of last season. Came home on a trip, sensed a slight vibration from the trailer. Nothing found. Next trip, I sense it again, pull off the interstate, take a good look. Nothing found. Twenty miles later I knew dam well what had happened. Tire was shredded.

[javjoe]

My trailer had a vibration right at 70 also. Switched to Goodyear Endurance tires and had them balanced. Trailer rides smooth at any speed now!

[bware]

Yes balance. I’ve also seen manufacturers use balancing bead sacks in the tires, not a fan, recommend removing these and balancing traditionally. Another cause of vibration can be when the wheels are not perfectly centered on the hub, oftentimes the wheel hub hole is larger than the hub diameter and thus allows to wheel to not be centered on the hub when tightening the lug nuts. Tapered lug nuts in theory will center the wheel but care must be taken to tighten lug nuts very evenly. Hub centering rings are available to insert in the wheels for a better fit in these circumstances.

[fly by night]

Yes

[BigFishSteve]

Yes always. Why would anyone NOT balance trailer tires?

[Crappie Bob]

I have always balanced all my trailer tires, even utility trailers. I see no difference in them and a car tire as far as purpose. Some tire stores have balked at it but I insisted with the comment, I'm paying for it - just do it. We have one here that absolutely will NOT balance a trailer tire, he claims it is against some law, so he is off many peoples list...

[Bassin Bob71]

had a brand new trailer that had a resonance at 72 mph. would go. thru the truck - it wasn't terrible but very noticeable and the fenders shook on the trailer.

I carried the tires in to be balanced. they had balance beads in them. we went to weights and it pulls smooth. not gonna mention the boat brand.

Same thing I experienced with my Ranger. When the tire was pulled off the rim, most of the beads were stuck to the tire and I thought they should float to the area that was out of balance. Once removed and regular stick on weights were applied, the vibration was gone.

[Topwater 2]

The tread is separating from the tire.