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Old 08-01-2016, 11:06 AM   #1
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Question Wheel Balance, Centamatics or Beads

Debating if I should use Centramatics Tire Balance or Beads in Tires. I have never had to use anything other than spin balance in over 40 years of RVing. I find that I am not getting as smooth a ride on this RV that I presently own. I was going to use the beads, but worry about them clumping up when sitting for 3 or 4 months at a time. We don't go as much anymore, but when we do it is usually for trips of 1000 miles or more. What is your experience?
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Old 08-01-2016, 11:10 AM   #2
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I have Dyna beads in my tires .Stored 5 months thru the winter. No problems with clumping.
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Old 08-01-2016, 11:14 AM   #3
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"mhbell".....I'm very finicky about wheel balancing and run the Centramatics on all three axles of my coach. With that said, the beads do a good job and for the amount you use your coach, I would just install the beads. I would not be concerned about any clumping, most of those issues have been resolved.
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Old 08-01-2016, 11:23 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mhbell View Post
Debating if I should use Centramatics Tire Balance or Beads in Tires. I have never had to use anything other than spin balance in over 40 years of RVing. I find that I am not getting as smooth a ride on this RV that I presently own. I was going to use the beads, but worry about them clumping up when sitting for 3 or 4 months at a time. We don't go as much anymore, but when we do it is usually for trips of 1000 miles or more. What is your experience?
Mel_B
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I've been using Centramatics, both front and rear, since '02 when I switched from spin balancing.
No problems in 14 years, (120k+ miles).

BTW at that same time I also added Cat's Eye equalizers to the rear duallys:
http://www.linkmfg.com/products/cats-eye/

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Old 08-01-2016, 11:37 AM   #5
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Wheel Balance, Centamatics or Beads

Equal here. Three sets of tires. Seems to work well.
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Old 08-01-2016, 04:31 PM   #6
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I just rotated the tag tires to the front wheels due to wear from mis-alignment. They put the recommended amount of beads (8 oz I think) in and on the first trip, I had a vibration from 60 mph and higher. We broke the tires down, vacuumed out the beads and spin balanced them. Only took 3 oz and it is perfect. I had a similar problem trying to balance my off road Jeep with 40" tires. The beads didn't work, but spin balancing did. Some get along fine with them, but I haven't had good results.
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Old 08-01-2016, 04:35 PM   #7
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I use Centramatics for the steer wheels only and have been pleased with them.
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Old 08-01-2016, 04:42 PM   #8
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I just put new Toyos on in January and they used the beads. No complaints so far.
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Old 08-01-2016, 04:56 PM   #9
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I'm running beads and they are doing good for the cost difference I'll be long gone before I bought enough beads to equal centramatics. Only down fall is carry extra beads in case of a road side blow out.
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Old 08-01-2016, 05:14 PM   #10
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Wheel Balance, Centamatics or Beads

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tha_Rooster View Post
I'm running beads and they are doing good for the cost difference I'll be long gone before I bought enough beads to equal centramatics. Only down fall is carry extra beads in case of a road side blow out.

I had a spare tire swapped on by a roadside tire service, they had beads with them and put them in.
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Old 08-01-2016, 07:22 PM   #11
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I purchased wheel balancers for the front tires that have mercury in them. They have made a big difference in the ride. It is much smoother than it was.
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Old 08-01-2016, 08:49 PM   #12
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When I had new Michelins installed, the tire shop convinced me to go with these beads. That was about 10,000 miles ago and the coach rides as smooth as a baby's bottom.....
They were not very expensive. Something like $15 per wheel.

Counteract Balancing Beads | The only tire balancing product proven to improve fuel economy.
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Old 08-01-2016, 09:59 PM   #13
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All of the above! Is really not a bad answer...

Us?

-We have all wheels balanced whenever putting on new tires.

-We also have Centramatics on all axles

-From my research 6-7 years ago now, I'd go with beads over powder. And, even thou I balance the wheels, and have Centramatics, I've also had good results with beads in previous coaches.

-I forget the name of it, and it may no longer be available. But I recall that the Parkhouse Tire Manger at a Southern California location. Suggested I add a liquid that would both balance, like beads and power, but also seal any minor penetrations from say a nail. He said the only downside that he knew to the balancing/liquid/seal - was that his tire mechanics hated the stuff when the broke the beed of a tire from a wheel as it would get messy!

Why Centramatics for us, well we expect to keep the coach for 10-15 years, maybe longer. So I expected at least three sets of tires going on over say 15 years, and the Centrmatics were a one time buy.

Best of luck, no real wrong answer here...
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Old 08-01-2016, 11:00 PM   #14
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I prefer Centramatic Wheel Balancers. They stay with the coach if you have a flat tire and you can transfer them to another MH if you trade it. It's a 1 time investment. In 5-7 years when you get new tires you won't have to pay for them again.
Just my .01 worth.
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