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Topic: Can they balance?

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Dave11

26/2/2015 at 11:51pm
Location: Sussex
Outfit: Swift 645 Elegance - Range Rover Sport

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During March I am due to take delivery of my new van and was wondering if I should insist on the caravan wheels all being balanced?

I know this could cause a problem to the dealer, as I understand caravans don't normally leave the factory with the wheels pre balanced. There appears to not be a requirement for them to do this, so the dealers probably don't have the equipment to do it either.

Personally, I believe that a lot of the problems with catches working loose, internal screws etc., which appear to come loose are due to vibration from unbalanced wheels on caravans?

Has anyone else insisted on their dealer balancing the caravan wheels before taking delivery?

Thanks

tango55

27/2/2015 at 12:10am
Location: Lichfield
Outfit: Coachman Amara 450

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I doubt if the dealer will merely because they don't consider that caravan wheels need balancing but there's no reason as to why you can't take it to a tyre dealer and have them checked for balance yourself. I agree that unbalanced caravan tyres can cause major problems if they are not running concentric but my philosophy is the same as yours, prevention is better than cure. There is no harm in asking the the dealer though because if you don't ask you don't get.

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iank01

27/2/2015 at 10:00am
Location: Worcestershire
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We had our tyres balanced prior to collection. I would be very wary of taking it to a tyre fitting place as they may jack up the caravan using the chassis.
Get the dealer to do it as it is easier for them and they are experienced in removing wheels from caravans. It cost us about £45 for all 4 tyres and was well worth it.

checkley1973

27/2/2015 at 10:22am
Location: Sheffield
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I see Bailey are now balancing them at the factory.

alpiner

27/2/2015 at 11:55am
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Yes if you have ever driven a car with the wheels out of balance you will see and feel that its essential
We read on forums, magazines and in conversation about wheels falling off caravans over and over again
how often do we hear about a wheel falling off a car?????
And how often do we hear "a wheel fell off my caravan just after a service.
and what about the cop out of well its on your service sheet to re-torque the wheel nuts after 300 miles so when it happens its not their fault.
do you re-torque your cars wheel nuts after you have it serviced???????
if a wheel on your caravan is vibrating due to being out of balance, you wont feel it
so anything to stop vibration is a good thing
Err Rant over

tango55

27/2/2015 at 12:04pm
Location: Lichfield
Outfit: Coachman Amara 450

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I can't add any more to what 'alpiner' has said because he is absolutely spot on with everything he has said.

chinster1957

27/2/2015 at 2:34pm
Location: Essex
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We bought our van from Sussex Caravans. I asked them to balance the wheels which they did before delivery.

-------------
The Chinster

Some people are just all show. I don't mind that if the show is worth watching, but .....

tango55

27/2/2015 at 3:03pm
Location: Lichfield
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If you ask and the dealer agrees to have the wheels balanced then make sure you ask for a receipt of proof that the work was carried out. You need to do this because if you have a warranty and anything does go wrong they could say that parts had been interfered with which invalidates the warranty. You are actually making the unit safer to tow which puts you on the right side of the law so don't let the dealer escape any rights you have because of this. Just worth mentioning that's all.

millermicm

27/2/2015 at 4:26pm
Location: west country
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The time to insist was when the purchase deal was done. To insist now would be post contract. You can ask now and may have to pay.

-------------
Steve

Dave11

27/2/2015 at 8:10pm
Location: Sussex
Outfit: Swift 645 Elegance - Range Rover Sport

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Thanks for all the replies, I agree with them all and like you Alpiner have had concerns that caravan wheels could be causing vibration and damage or at worst the cause of wheels coming loose?

I was hesitant to take the van to a tyre dealer for the same reason iank01 says that the tyre dealer might inadvertently lift it in the wrong place , which could cause strain or at worse twist the chassis?

Note your comment Chinster 1957 about Sussex Caravans valancing the wheels for you, coincidently that is where we have ordered our new Crusader Super Sirocco from , so I will ask them to do it for me. This will be the third caravan I have bought from them and never thought of asking for it to be done until now.

trog100

27/2/2015 at 10:15pm
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a good tyre properly fitted will not be out of balance at caravan speeds.. which is why the makers dont do it..

having said that if it gives peace of mind have it done.. he he

trog

Dave11

27/2/2015 at 10:38pm
Location: Sussex
Outfit: Swift 645 Elegance - Range Rover Sport

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Hi trog, personally I can't say I agree.

Having been driving for 40 years now,, I have in the past had front wheels balanced because out of balance causing vibration around
50 - 60 mph .

Certainly unless someone can give a categoric answer as to why caravan wheels can vibrate loose and car wheels don't , I think it's safer to balance them.

Vectratot

27/2/2015 at 11:00pm
Location: DURHAM
Outfit: Mondeo TItanium 140 Avondale Mayfly 25

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Have to agree with you Dave 11, even a pedal bike wheel can be out of balance. I have always balanced my caravan wheels for over 40 years. I have the equipment to do so, it makes comm on sense that anything spinning out of balance can cause vibration.

tango55

27/2/2015 at 11:09pm
Location: Lichfield
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Anything that spins should be balanced whatever it is. If balancing tyres wasn't important they would do it on cars even though it's twice the cost than a single axle caravan.

Grampian91

28/2/2015 at 12:54am
Location: Midlands
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I had to insist they balance my tyres when they were fitted. They said its for a caravan and dont need balancing.

trog100

28/2/2015 at 4:46pm
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cars go a lot faster than caravans and i dont know that caravan wheels vibrate loose.. 60 mph is about the speed out of balance becomes noticeable on a car more so with the front wheels because its felt through the steering wheel..

and one has to ask if its so essential why dont the manufacturers do it.. are they that negligent.. if they are i would be more worried about other things than the theoretical out balance tyres..

but as i said if it makes you feel better have it done..

trog

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