trailer tire balancing

[Eddie Fulmer]

I've always static balanced my bike tires and they've worked fine. However I need to know a good way to balance my 8 inch trailer tires. Any ideas?

[bkuhr]

http://www.harborfreight.com/portable-wheel-balancer-39741.html

[dynodon]

Probably won't make much difference. The 8" tires are so small and light that even if out of balance quite a bit, you probably won't ever feel it. Probably can just let them rotate on the axle. and see if they spin and stop at the same place every time, that is the heavy spot, put a tiny stick on weight opposite (at the top) and see if the tire spins and goes random. Probably as good as you will need. Nothing to buy unless your bearings drag so much the tire won't roll free, in which case, remove the wheel, repack and re-adjust the bearings. Most trailer bearings can have a tiny bit of free play, not like cars where they need a pre-load.

[kj5ix]

You might try an Oz of Dyna Beads,,,

 

I haven't even thought about it on my trailers with 8 in wheels.

[Guest tx2sturgis]

Probably won't make much difference. The 8" tires are so small and light that even if out of balance quite a bit, you probably won't ever feel it.

 

 

Actually the 8" tires can and do cause noticeable vibration on a trailer behind a motorcycle, if they are out of balance. The rotational speed is so high that imbalances and out-of-round conditions are very noticeable at freeway speeds.

 

When the same tires are mounted on, say, a small boat trailer, pulled behind a minivan, the shaking probably won't be notiecable. But on a light-weight trailer behind a bike, then yep, they can transmit the vibrations to the bike frame.

 

I balanced mine manually, with wheel weights. Feels alot better now!