AstroRig57
near Tehachapi, CA
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Joined: 01/15/2009
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I'm wondering if anyone here has ever used this product and, if so, your experience with it.
Centramatic Wheel Balancers
I have a friend who has installed these on his large Truck Camper and who has been relentlessly telling me that this is something I must have. He insists that I'll wonder how I ever got by without them as the truck will ride so smooth "it will feel like it's on glass".
Of course, he seemed to have a perpetually out of balance situation on his truck, which he solved with the Centramatic system, whereas I have never had balance issues (of which I'm aware).
* This post was
edited 01/11/12 11:47pm by AstroRig57 *
2005 31' Coachmen Freelander 3150SS, Stargazer II - Mobile Astronomy Unit
Do you remember when the sky was dark, and the stars were bright?
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American by birth...Scottish by the Grace Of God.
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SCOMP225
Brownsburg,Indiana
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Joined: 12/08/2002
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Been looking at these for a while now,can't wait to see reponses.
Chuck
1992 American Eagle
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WMMitchell81554
Elverson, PA
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Joined: 12/11/2003
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I have used the Centramatic Balancer in the past on a 1998 Kenworth Tractor and a 2000 Holiday Rambler Endeavor motor home. In both cases, I used conventional balance (dynamic spin balancing) on the steering tires and the Centramatic balancers on the drive tires. In both cases I found the Centramatic balancers to work well, however, not better than conventional balancing. In the case of coaches purchased since, I have balanced all tires, steering and drive, and have not purchased the Centramatic Balancer. I found the cost of balancing drive tires well worth the cost, although many do not. This should be an interesting thread. Thanks for bring up the subject!
2006 50ft Kingsley Coach Custom, towing GMC Crew Cab
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Kamphiker
South Florida (this 'aint paradise anymore)
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Joined: 07/09/2002
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Here is current discussion on them in the Class "A" section on RV.Net
Truckers I have talked to that use them have no negatives to say about them. One good aspect is that you re-use them when you change out your tires.
Critics say it adds un-sprung weight to the wheel assembly, I say this is designed for real truck use and not a sports car.
I looked at the application for our RV and went with Dyna Beads.
2006 Winnebago Outlook WF324V
2009 Honda CR-V 2wd TOAD ......Campgrounds in the Smoky Mountains NP
Last Camping trip ->2011 SUMMER SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
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bmoon1952
Vidor,Texas
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Joined: 05/29/2010
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I have used a set of the Centrimatic Balancers on three Class C's. The first RV was a 22' 1978 Dodge Brougham, second was a 1987 26' Minnie Winnie, third is a 2005 Winnebago Minnie 31C. I got them at a good price in 1992. The balancers fit all Class C bolt patterns. All three machines drove smooth as silk down the highway. They eliminate any balance issues with the tires. I have always balanced new tires when they were installed on any the motorhome. They do get in the way of the inside wheel valve stems on the dually's a little, but never a big deal. The balancers will compensate for a weight that is lost.
I would buy another set in a minute.
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AstroRig57
near Tehachapi, CA
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Joined: 01/15/2009
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bmoon1952 wrote:I have used a set of the Centrimatic Balancers on three Class C's. The first RV was a 22' 1978 Dodge Brougham, second was a 1987 26' Minnie Winnie, third is a 2005 Winnebago Minnie 31C. I got them at a good price in 1992. The balancers fit all Class C bolt patterns. All three machines drove smooth as silk down the highway. They eliminate any balance issues with the tires. I have always balanced new tires when they were installed on any the motorhome. They do get in the way of the inside wheel valve stems on the dually's a little, but never a big deal. The balancers will compensate for a weight that is lost.
I would buy another set in a minute.
Thanks for the response...all of you.
bmoon,
Would the valve stem access be any kind of an issue with the extended Tireman valve stems? Do you know if the Centramat system would interfere with, or possibly preclude, the use of the Tireman stems?
FWIW, I always have both the drive and steering tires balanced on my Class-C as well.
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