Community Forums

bresdogsr · 12-08-2021, 07:30 AM

2014 DS 4018
Replacing all 8 tires in January. Looking for real world opinions on using Centramatic Balancers vs Spin Balancing.

Thanks in advance.

ftharrisiii · 12-08-2021, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bresdogsr

2014 DS 4018
Replacing all 8 tires in January. Looking for real world opinions on using Centramatic Balancers vs Spin Balancing.

Thanks in advance.

I replaced all 8 tires on my 2016 DSDP 4369 last summer. I already had Centramatics on all 3 axles. I left the Centramatics on and had the dealership do a road force balance on each wheel when they put the new tires on. 8,000 miles and I’m happy with the result. Drives great.

zmotorsports · 12-08-2021, 08:56 AM

I actually do both on our coach, I balance the tires/wheels AND I use Balance Masters, but not Centramatics. The Balance Masters and Centramatics do basically the same thing but I feel the fit and finish is better on the Balance Masters. A friend put Centramatics on his older Foretravel and I wasn't impressed with the fitment.

I have run Balance Masters on my balanced tires/wheels for coming up on 22 years now. I purchased the first set in 2000 when we purchased our first diesel pusher, a 38' 1991 Beaver Contessa. I removed them from our Beaver when we sold it, installed them on our new to us 40' 2003 Monaco Dynasty and then purchased another pair for the tag axle.

They work great and I like the fact that they balance the entire rotating assembly, not just the tires/wheels. I probably don't need to balance the tire/wheel assembly but I still do to get the best possible balance out of the setup. I highly recommend them if you are after the absolute best in ride quality. I feel they do make a difference, maybe slight, but they do make a difference.

pasdad1 · 12-08-2021, 08:57 AM

A couple of points for centramatics are

- they continue to balance the tires as tire wear would normally need a re-balance at some point.

- they balance not just the tires but entire rotating assembly (brakes, etc)

-if you need a replacement mounted tire delivered on the
side of the highway in the event of a blowout, the centramatic will balance it (roadside service will probably not spin balance….in fact you are probably lucky if they just have correct size tire lol )

On other note….. I would still have the new tires spin balanced in addition to the centramatics.

My tire guy talked me out of it, but I should have stuck to my guns as I think it’s better to have a belt and suspenders approach.

Algoma · 12-08-2021, 09:05 AM

Just wondering where you managed to find new tires. There is a backlog and I have been told by several dealers that they won't get RV size tires for months.
P.S. I have Centramatics but can't say that I have noticed much difference.

vseasport · 12-08-2021, 09:23 AM

When purchased tires the dealer told me they put centramatics on. I have not physically seen them. How does one tell if they have them?

bresdogsr · 12-08-2021, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Algoma

Just wondering where you managed to find new tires. There is a backlog and I have been told by several dealers that they won't get RV size tires for months.
P.S. I have Centramatics but can't say that I have noticed much difference.

I will be getting them from Service Tire Truck Center in Southern New Jersey. In November they had 7 in Elkton MD, but did not know date codes. I was told that Michelan was manufacturing in late November and to wait until then. Scheuling my appointment for January.
305 70r22.5 tire size

bresdogsr · 12-08-2021, 11:39 AM

Thanks for the replies. Keep em coming

RVStitchy · 12-08-2021, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vseasport

When purchased tires the dealer told me they put centramatics on. I have not physically seen them. How does one tell if they have them?

I don't have them - yet. But after reading here I looked at a couple of You tube videos to get familiar with the product. I think you would be able to see it by crawling under and looking at the back side of the wheel. Just an educated guess.

I will consider them after putting a few miles on our new Coach.

Winemaker2 · 12-08-2021, 12:46 PM

Some are visible through the wheel openings others not. If you reach around the tire you should be able to feel the outer donut (metal circular tube) that holds the weights and viscous fluid.
I have them on 4 corners since I did tire replacement a year or so ago and so far really like them.

ByeTheWay · 12-08-2021, 12:56 PM

I use Centramatics on Steer, and don't balance the drive tires.

KenZ71 · 12-08-2021, 06:22 PM

Had a blowout few months ago at 5AM in Virginia. STTC got me back on the road with 4 new tires by lunch time.

Store manager told me he stocked my size for his contract with Walmart so I lucked out. They also walked me through using FMCA's group discount.

Vickie 4369 · 12-08-2021, 07:47 PM

I just ordered a complete set for my Ventana DP with tag axle.

I trust the science

I experienced what this technology can do on my last coach but I went with the ceramic beads in the tires.

I had a smooth ride but only after driving for several minutes at speed.

This is due to the fact that the tire is not perfectly round when rolling on the ground so the balance would come and go and I could feel it.

With the Centrimatic it starts working at only 25 mph so you will never have an out of balance situation.

I asked the same question as you directly to Centrimatic and they said Both

Without the CM the tire will go out of balance over time with wear.

With CM balanced for Life.

rarebear.nm · 12-08-2021, 08:25 PM

On our small MH when I changed the tires I just use the Centramatic balancers. They were fine up to about 65 mph. Anything over that and vibrations were no fun. I had both steers spin balanced and kept the balancers. The ride is so much batter. I will have the rears spin balanced as well in the near future. So a combination of methods gives you the best of both worlds.