Tire Balancing Accessories??

AdrianLee · 04-22-2006, 08:44 AM

Does anyone have any experience with Centramatic or Balance Masters wheel balancing accessories?

I've read several threads about Dyna Beads and Equal but I do not want to put anything inside of the tires for a number of reasons.

AdrianLee · 04-22-2006, 08:44 AM

Does anyone have any experience with Centramatic or Balance Masters wheel balancing accessories?

I've read several threads about Dyna Beads and Equal but I do not want to put anything inside of the tires for a number of reasons.

John_Canfield · 04-23-2006, 04:28 AM

Adrian - why not get the tires balanced the old-fashioned way with lead weights? Lazydays balanced my fronts when I was having a vibration problem when the coach was brand new. That wasn't the problem, but at least I know it can be done with a tire that large.

rebelsbeach · 04-23-2006, 05:35 AM

Adrian, I had my "fronts" balanced and adjusted in Forest City and I'm happy to report the coach drove like a dream all the way home...

AdrianLee · 04-23-2006, 05:40 AM

John,

For many years I thougth tires would change due to wear and road conditions. It appears they do from the different threads I have been reading. It is not an radical change but it is a change nontheless. Devices like the Balance Master, Centramatic, Equal, and Dyna Beads all help maintain a balanced wheel / tire under changing conditions. That equates to a better ride and better tire life.

They are not inexpensive which is why I am trying to find out from RVer's if the practical value is worth the expense. It would appear to be for OTR trucks.

3huskies · 04-23-2006, 08:06 AM

Adrian,

I am putting new Goodyear G670's on my 02 Horizon 39QD in 2 weeks and installing the centramatics on both axles then.

They are expensive but everything that I have read and researched in rv and truck forums, everyone swears by them.

Tire balancing is only half the problem. Drums and hubs need to be balanced also and the centramatics keep everything balanced all the time.
I didn't want Equal or beads in the tires either as I have a Pressure Pro tire monitoring system and didn't want to take any chances.

What the heck...$2500.00 for tires, what's another $380.00 to keep them balanced all the time.

We shall see and I'll let you know.

http://www.centramatic.com/

Tom N · 04-23-2006, 08:20 AM

Why doesn't Winnebago balance the tires on new class A motorhomes???

3huskies · 04-23-2006, 08:28 AM

Tom N,
I would guess that it is the chassis builders responsibility to balance the tires (Freightliner in my case) as Winnie gets the chassis, tires and all.

Tom N · 04-23-2006, 10:22 AM

Oh your right.

But the chassis manufacturer doesn't do it either.

I thought large tires didn't have to be balanced.

I've never had a balanced tire on a motorhome and all is fine.

vicsryd · 04-29-2006, 11:01 PM

For what it's worth we just had all six wheels balanced using a certificate we had won at a rally. Supposedly it would have cost $150 otherwise.

Most wheels needed 8 ozs at one point although one (a rear inner) needed an 8 and a 2 at two different points.

Overall the ride has improved and vibrations that used to occur at 45 and 60 mph are now gone. The harmonic vibration at 55 mph set up by the drivetrain/frame that's been there since day one still occurs though.