Centramatic Balancers Update...

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, I finally ordered a set of Centramatics for my Safari. They arrived yesterday [05-06-09] and I installed them today. [05-07-09] With my wheels and drum brakes they will fit in both directions, offset ring inside or outside. I decided to install the with the offset ring towards the brake drum leaving the Centramatics stamp readable for the outside. But with the wheel installed, it blocks the stamp so you can't see it. We are taking a trip next week, but I don't think I will be able to feel any difference. Knowing that the brake drums are not balanced from the factory and with my Centramatics installed, I will feel better just knowing it has to be better even if only a little bit since I will never know how far out of balance my drums are. Price was right and service was good, I'm happy.

[ZoominC6]

Hey Robert. Does Centramatics now paint/powdercoat the units black or did you do that yourself? We painted ours to obtain the look you show with your photos. When the wheels are mounted they certainly look better.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by ZoominC6

Hey Robert. Does Centramatics now paint/powdercoat the units black or did you do that yourself? We painted ours to obtain the look you show with your photos. When the wheels are mounted they certainly look better.

The Centramatic balancers that we ship out, are painted black.

All a person needs to do, is to install them, and be "happy."

Andy

[ZoominC6]

Andy, I should have known. There's nothing quite like really detailed, service minded Airstream dealers! All those "Left Coasters" must be happy to have you.

[Silvertwinkie]

Got mine a couple of weeks ago. Will be installing them when I get out to the trailer in a few weeks. Should have these in place as well as my deep pan trans cover by the Midwest Rally to see how things behave.

[Airstreamer67]

Crispyboy, I just saw your post from a month ago. To answer your question, I don't remember why the Centramatics didn't fit my 1967 International. It's been a couple of years ago. I think the bolt pattern was OK, but the spacing was off. I should have tried to insert some spacers like you, but didn't know about that. I think the ones they sent me just didn't fit flat on the wheel, disallowing my ability to tighten them properly. Anyway, they fit the Jeep, and the DynaBeads are working very well on the trailer, so all is well.

[stufarmer]

Can anyone tell me more about this brake drum/balance issue..? To me it sounds like we would remove the brake drums and take them to a Machine Shop and have them balanced...is it not this simple..? Quality E rated Tire/Drums Balanced/Centramatics, Life is good....yes..?

[dpandorf]

Originally Posted by stufarmer

Can anyone tell me more about this brake drum/balance issue..? To me it sounds like we would remove the brake drums and take them to a Machine Shop and have them balanced...is it not this simple..? Quality E rated Tire/Drums Balanced/Centramatics, Life is good....yes..?

I don't agree with the "Quality E rated tire" but yes to the rest.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by stufarmer

Can anyone tell me more about this brake drum/balance issue..? To me it sounds like we would remove the brake drums and take them to a Machine Shop and have them balanced...is it not this simple..? Quality E rated Tire/Drums Balanced/Centramatics, Life is good....yes..?

If you have 6 lug drums, you remove the tire and wheel, slip the Centramatics on the lugs, and then remount the tire and wheel.

It's done, no more, no less.

No need to have the drums balanced unless you may have some from the 60's.

Andy

[Gene]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

The Centramatic balancers that we ship out, are painted black.

Andy

Mine are natural aluminum, not black, and I got them from Andy. Are they a special version and worth more?

I have towed with them for 5,000 miles and can't feel any difference. Tire wear on the trailer tires seemed to be a little less than before Centramatics, but the difference is too little for me to be sure.

Gene

[stufarmer]

Originally Posted by dpandorf

I don't agree with the "Quality E rated tire" but yes to the rest.

Can I assume then that a "D" rated tire is the tire of choice..?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by CrawfordGene

Mine are natural aluminum, not black, and I got them from Andy. Are they a special version and worth more?

I have towed with them for 5,000 miles and can't feel any difference. Tire wear on the trailer tires seemed to be a little less than before Centramatics, but the difference is too little for me to be sure.

Gene

Gene.

The first Centramatics we received we aluminum colored.

We asked Centramatic to paint them black, everytime.

Andy

[Gene]

So, they're first editions. I wish you had signed them too Andy.

Gene

[eubank]

The ones we got directly from Centramatic a couple of years ago were also painted black. And, by the way, they fit perfectly with the new axles from Andy. Ah, well, with the new axle (sg.). I won't be able to install the second one for another week or so.


Lynn

[Chief]

Gene,

It is only fitting that you and I have SE (aluminum....non-painted) versions of the Centramatics to go with our SE trailers!

It's value-added.......and, may someday be highly collectible!

Chief

Originally Posted by CrawfordGene

So, they're first editions. I wish you had signed them too Andy.

Gene

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, my Centramatics came black and now have about 4,500 miles on them. Can I feel the difference? No, I haven't and won't ride in my trailer. Do I feel better knowing that my trailer has them? Yes, since the manufacturer of my drums didn't balance them. Are they worth the $172.50 + shipping that I paid for them? Yes, to me it is like tenting your house now instead of waiting for signs of termites, because by then the damage is already done.

[Silvertwinkie]

Just installed mine today before going to Midwest Rally tomorrow. I installed them doughnut inward. Seemed just a bit too tight for the doughnut to face outward.

[Silvertwinkie]

Have now towed about 350 miles with these on. I have found that place mats that I kept on the table no longer fall off the table. I have also noticed that my tires are a bit less hot....not scientific I'll admit, but by simple touch, I have noticed a cooler feeling tire. I was slightly skeptical, but these do very much appear to have some benefit and the price seems to be low enough that even a slight benefit is good IMHO. I would suggest these to anyone looking for a bit better balance of the running gear.

[dscluchfc]

Since I started this thread, and this Spring 09 replaced my 7 year old tires with new ones, and re-installed the Centramatics, I thought I would give an update.
Took the trailer to Page AZ and back....about 1600 miles roundtrip.
The new tires ran cool and show no wear or tipping.
No shaken loose screws or rivets inside the trailer during towing.
I went via US 84 from home to Santa Rosa NM @ 65 mph, then I-40 to Flagstaff @ 70 mph, and US 89 to Page @ 65 mph....reverse on the way home.
Fuel mileage on the Duramax was average 12 mpg at these speeds.
Andy is 100% correct....the BIGGEST thing that will wreck havoc on your trailer is lack of balanced running gear. The usual wear and tear of bouncing down the road is severe enough, but to do so inducing the constant periodic vibration of an unbalanced running gear will shake your trailer apart causing excessive wear on everything.

I highly endorse the Centramatic product.

[slowmover]

(As a side note I was reading an early 1970's AVION Owners Manual that stated that the tire/wheel assembly was balanced with the brake drum . . the owner should mark the drum and wheel to always make sure the balance was retained [paraphrased]).