Community Forums

bamaboy473 · 07-06-2014, 07:09 AM

We're having all six tires replaced next week and would like to know what the majority of Class A owners use to balance their tires. In a perfect world, those that have used their MHs enough to replace tires would add comments based on your experiences with one system over another.

Steve Ownby · 07-06-2014, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bamaboy473

We're having all six tires replaced next week and would like to know what the majority of Class A owners use to balance their tires. In a perfect world, those that have used their MHs enough to replace tires would add comments based on your experiences with one system over another.

OEM tires were balanced with weights. When I replaced, I used Dynabeads. I would recommend Dynabeads without hesitation. The 2 mm version doesn't require filtered valve cores.

Steve Ownby
Full time since '07

Sky_Boss · 07-06-2014, 07:46 AM

I am kinda split on beads vs weights. In the end I just had all my beads removed because I just don't think they did the job consistently. I got beads when I purchased the MH and got 8 new tires.

The reason I had the beads removed was that on roads with lots of jarring bumps it seems that the beads take some time to settle down. Well...to be honest those roads suck anyway. However, I also seem to notice that roads with "ripples" seem to be more of a minor nuisance. I just seemed that I would feel those ripples a bit harder than I thought we should.

So...while at the Spartan Factory while I was having a full coach wheel alignment, some wheel seals replaced, brake work, and new Koni shocks I had them remove the beads and weight balance. After that I took it for a 20 mile trip on I-69 between Charlotte & Lansing and my initial impression was that it was not a bad choice. Now, to be perfectly fair it is important to note that I did have new shocks so to be perfectly honest, I can't say the wheel balance was the sole reason the tires seemed to ride a tad better.

So, in the end I have to say that maybe the beads did their job and my shocks didn't but so far I'm happy with the traditional weights. Time will tell.

Bumps · 07-06-2014, 08:04 AM

Les Schwab installed our new Michelins with beads. I was hesitant and VERY skeptical ... but now with a whopping 550 miles on them, I gotta tell you I am impressed. Many more miles to come [I hope] so time will tell. \ken

CampDaven · 07-06-2014, 08:29 AM

I have always had spin balancing on all tires. I have had, and always will have, good ride and performance. No beads, thus no questions or issues.

Theberrys · 07-06-2014, 08:39 AM

I'm told you don't need to balance at all. I wouldn't know because I always get spin balance with weights. for two reasons. First I believe in balancing the tires and like to know just how much weight it takes to get then balanced, that way I can make a call on how precise the tire were made. Second, if the place I'm talking to about tires says they can't spin balance them because they are too big, or some other such half arsed reason, I'm at the wrong place to buy tires for my coach, and I look elsewhere

Dick

ichn2go · 07-06-2014, 08:40 AM

Weights, beads just didn't work for me.

bamaboy473 · 07-06-2014, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ichn2go

Weights, beads just didn't work for me.

That's good to know, coming from a guy that's tried several systems.

How about the Centramatic system from those that have used it?

Tom N · 07-07-2014, 09:27 AM

I have never balanced any 22.5" tires. My new 2005 Suncruiser came from the factory unbalanced. They ran very smooth.

My last set of new 22.5" tires (Dec 2012) were not balanced by my Michelin RV truck tire dealer. He told me he never balances 22.5" tires. Of course they have to be mounted concentric on the rim per Michelin's RV Tire Guide. This Michelin dealer owns a Bluebird Wanderlodge motorhome so he is well versed in large motorhome tires.

-Tom

rdelcamp · 07-08-2014, 03:20 PM

I always spin balance all tires. Smooth ride at all speeds.
96 Monaco Windsor
Ron D

koda59 · 07-08-2014, 04:18 PM

I have had both beads and spin balance. I prefer the spin balance.

Daveinet · 07-08-2014, 07:07 PM

I am running Balance Masters which uses Mercury to balance the wheels. The only drawback I have seen is that it tends not to work at speeds above 80 mph on 16 inch tires. Most likely larger tire sizes spin slower, so they should not have that problem. Other than that, they seem to be fine. If the road is extremely bumpy, it may take longer to equalize, however if the road is that bumpy, you are not going to go very fast anyway.

vsheetz · 07-08-2014, 07:09 PM

Equal in all tires. Works great.

t55watson · 07-08-2014, 07:15 PM

I have used Centra-matic and saw no improvement. I have had good luck with spin and weights. I now have beads in the new front tires, 4500 miles this winter, and am very satisfied with them. I will use beads in the rears when I replace them later this year.