What causes trailer tires to wobble?

If the wheels are loose or spin with a wobble, the bearings must be serviced or replaced. Check for noise – Have someone listen from both the driver’s side and the curbside as you tow your trailer past at about 25 mph.

Do 12 inch trailer tires need to be balanced?

Since the primary duty of a trailer tire is supporting a vertical load, rather than gripping an automobile through turns, trailer tires do not have to be dynamically balanced like passenger car tires do.

What causes trailer vibration?

I’d tend to suspect there’s some other problem like worn or broken suspension components or a bent wheel or axle that’s causing the vibration, but there’s a possibility that having a severely out of balance trailer wheel/tire could be causing it. If need be, your local tire shop could balance your wheels for you.

Do tires on a trailer need to be balanced?

The answer is yes, you should. Although you may meet RVers and travel trailer owners who disagree, balancing your travel trailer tires is actually necessary for improved performance, tire longevity, and safety factors. Passenger vehicle tires need to be balanced for ride stability and comfort, as well as for function.

Do balancing beads work on trailer tires?

You can use beads or weights to balance your tires if desired, but you will need to use a pin plate adapter to do so with trailer tires. Because of the design of trailer tires, the need for specific balancing is not the same as vehicle tires.

Can trailer tires cause vibration?

During the road test, if the trailer is disconnected and the vibration disappears then the disturbance is typically related to the trailer tires, wheels or hubs.

How do I make my trailer ride smoother?

Generally, 60% of load weight should be toward the front of the trailer. However, you must make sure that the tongue weight does not exceed 10-15% of your gross trailer weight. Lowering tire pressure can make for a smoother ride. A general rule of thumb is to reduce your pressure by half to tow an empty trailer.

How many years do trailer tires last?

Each tire manufacturer will likely have different recommendations on the service life of a particular type of tire, but statistics suggest the average life of a trailer tire is about five years under normal use and maintenance conditions, and that tire replacement should be considered after three years, even if the …

How much does it cost to repack wheel bearings on a trailer?

Trailers tend to be cheaper to repack professionally (think $100-$200), but don’t underestimate the power of the upsells a mechanic might try to give you. If you’re serious about cash, you can likely save a few bucks by repacking your bearings yourself.