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.
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.
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.
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.
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Computers manufactured by companies such as IBM, Compaq and millions of others are by far the most popular with about 70 million machines in use worldwide. Macintosh fans note that cockroaches are far more numerous than humans and that numbers alone do not denote a higher life form. -NY Times 11/91
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.
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Computers manufactured by companies such as IBM, Compaq and millions of others are by far the most popular with about 70 million machines in use worldwide. Macintosh fans note that cockroaches are far more numerous than humans and that numbers alone do not denote a higher life form. -NY Times 11/91
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.
(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]).
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Sold, and someday another aluminum trailer.
I just installed my new Centramatics today. Mine are aluminum.
I had to put the doughnut out because it would rub on the calipers for the disc brakes.
I also put a set on my antique semi tractor. They really smoothed out the front end.
Hickory
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