Equal in new tires?

[George Z]

New tires for the coach and dealer wants to install equal packs and required stem cores to balance. Looking for pro and con if you have experience with it. Installing Kumho 245X75X22.5 ....$2000 out the door installed w/equal. We don't wear tires out we throw them out because the sidewalls crack.

[Alleyman]

You may consider waiting until you drive a little to see if they need balance. I just installed 6 new ones and dealer suggested I wait to balance. Went on a 3500 mile trip, absolutely no bounce or vibrations. Some say the equal will gel up in wet cold weather.??? who knows. good luck.

[Rocky 2]

I have had Equal on two coachs and three sets of tires. I have no complaints. On my first coach, I had to use Equal to keep the tires in balance due to a problem with Ford's center hubs.

[jimkate]

check this out:

DynaBeads

[Thudman]

The dealer put Equal in my new Michelins (235/80R 22.5) 3 years ago & have had no problems.

Thudman

[njs42]

Equal claim is to be impervious to dampness---does not absorb moisture---other wise it simply would not work IMHO. I have seen a lot of threads on this subject and I tend to believe Equal is just fine---but that is an opinion---mine. Do a google search on it and see what the manufacturer says---as with all these type topics you are going to be left with opinions when what you need is facts.

So far respondents have given you their experience of course which is fact based---they have had no problems---if all goes as per normal soon you will get conflicting information.

As for me I would read what the manufacturer has to say them decided for myself. I am getting new tires now and one place uses Equal one place spin balances---the spin balance is less expensive for the same tire by quiter a bit so I am going there----but I would not hesitate all things being equal (a pun) to use-----Equal.

[Petro]

I have used Equal in 2 different sets of tires. I was very happy with it. There are 2 issues to be aware of. first is to be sure and used the special valve cores and the 2nd is to make sure the installer does not over use the tire mounting lube. If the lube gets into the tire it will bunch up the Equal. I highly recommend it if installed properly.

Don

[Joe Gilbert]

I used ceramic beads in the tires on my previous F53 with great results. I have a good friend in the tire business who says his company always uses Equal on truck tires because it works so much better than weights. He says "show me a truck tire with conventional weights, at 50% wear, and I'll show you an out of balance tire". I think he may be correct.

Having said that my new Michelin's were ballanced using a machine which loads the tire (typ of loading while on you RV) while spin balancing. So far so good.

JoeG

[George Z]

Thanks to everyone for the replies. We are going with the Equal to tire balance. Will try and head all your warnings.

[oemtech]

Just make sure you have the screens install in the stems.

[George Z]

Quote:

Originally Posted by oemtech Just make sure you have the screens install in the stems.

Thanks Qemy, each Equal packet comes with a valve stem kit. I'll make sure their installed.

[Dunner]

Quote:

Originally Posted by njs42 As for me I would read what the manufacturer has to say them decided for myself.

So, you would go by the manufacturer's hype over real life experience? Good luck with doing that for everything you buy.

[Max Hubrich]

I have Equal in my tires.

When I took off my TST (tire pressure and temperature sensors) and my wheel covers, before I drove to have my brake recall done on my Workhorse chassis, I then drove 6 miles. When I got to the facility my left front was more than half flat. Some equal got caught in the schrader valve. And YES, I had the required special valve cores that Equal supplies, in all my tires. That tire was ruined.

Lesson learned- when removing any tire sensors, Shoot some soapy water on to the valve stems if your going to move the vehicle anytime soon- I also do this soapwater solution spray anytime I adjust tire pressures, because I have to remove and reinstall these same sensors.





Never had, or have now, any balance problems.

Cheers,

[George Z]

Thanks Max