Centramatics

ESCAPE POD · 02-08-2010, 10:20 AM

I have an '07 Bambi, and will be upgrading my TV to an F-150 soon. To help minimize the chances of vibration stress to the trailer, I'm considering Centromatics to maintain wheel balance. Anyone have an opinion? User review?

-Jerry

2airishuman · 02-08-2010, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ESCAPE POD

I have an '07 Bambi, and will be upgrading my TV to an F-150 soon. To help minimize the chances of vibration stress to the trailer...

hi jerry

the effect on 'vibrational stress' is theoretical and supported by anecdotes...

beware of vendor testimonials, for obvious reasons.

tire wear patterns on the bambi may be MORE revealing of roundness, balance, alignment issues...

i've had them on 6 points for 40,000+ miles of towing...

MAYBE they've extended tire life a tiny bit...

maybe.

according to the pres' of a/s in HIS own words...

the AXLES are the primary suspension for ALL 'steams and matter more than tire ratings or hitches...

with nearly NEW axles adequately balancing the tires should be enough...

still they DO help keep the disc brakes dust OFF the wheels...

___________

tire/wheels still need to be balanced correctly AND rotated...the centa' discs only provide counter weight in ONE flat plane...

so inner/outer balance issues or axle alignment still matters.

several LONG threads on these and lots of references in OTHER threads too.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f438...ate-32907.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f438...age-14519.html

many pics show MOUNTING them too...

here's a pix showing 2 placed on the studs (mine are painted black)

http://cdn.airforums.com/forums/atta...2&d=1163986772

the company in texas who makes/vends these things are NICE folks and responsive to customers...

you can buy them ONLINE from them and get exactly the right size...
__________

also keep in mind ROUNDNESS matters and tires can wear OUT of round or simply not be 'round'

even a SQAURE tire could have improved balance with these gadgets,

but still NOT be friendly to bambi.

cheers
2air'

eubank · 02-08-2010, 10:41 AM

We switched to Centramatics a couple of years ago and are pleased with them. We got ours directly from Centramatics, but Inland Andy now stocks them as well.

Boondocker · 02-08-2010, 11:57 AM

Supper nice people at the company (ordered direct). At $200 it just seemed silly to me not get them. The Trade Wind gets towed a lot of miles and any reduction in vibration damage seems prudent to me. Plus, all the cool kids are getting them.......

Wingeezer · 02-08-2010, 01:30 PM

I bought a set after reading about the theory upon which they are based and after watching the company's demo video.

There are numerous reports of people finding much lower incidence of drawers coming open, loose screws found on the trailer floor etc. after installation, and there was at least one report where someone rode in their trailer with/without Centramatic and felt there was a considerable improvement in vibration.

Of course it is human nature to want to convince ourselves and others - that we bought wisely, and I'm probably as guilt of that as the next person!

So, I think it takes a bit of a leap of faith the trust that they do something positive, but for $200, I felt it was worth the money and that (hopefully) they at least couldn't do any harm!

We are about to take our first trip with ours.

They now produce a version to install on a Goldwing motorcycle (I have such a bike) and on the related motorcycle forum, everyone who has installed them is reporting a much improved ride - same caveats apply as above IMHO! (But I'll likely wond up buying a set for the bike too!)

Brian

rustyrivet · 02-19-2010, 03:40 PM

I am also interested in the Centramatics. Unfortunately all the discussion I have seen surrounds 15" or 16" wheels. My 2005 Safari has 14" Alcoa Aluminum wheels that came standard on the trailer. Has anyone out there tried to install centramatics on the 14" wheels and, if so, did they work? If they worked, what model should I order?. Thanks. jc

Boondocker · 02-19-2010, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rustyrivet

I am also interested in the Centramatics. Unfortunately all the discussion I have seen surrounds 15" or 16" wheels. My 2005 Safari has 14" Alcoa Aluminum wheels that came standard on the trailer. Has anyone out there tried to install centramatics on the 14" wheels and, if so, did they work? If they worked, what model should I order?. Thanks. jc

Do what I did, take a tape measure and your cell phone out to the trailer and call the factory. They are good folks and they will work with you.

Wabbiteer · 02-19-2010, 04:07 PM

Considering time and effort (labour charges?) to dismount the wheels, remove the drum and balance the assembly as a whole - or find the heavy point on the tire, heavy point of the rim and heavy point of the drum and have them spaced 120° apart before adding wheel weights --- the $50 a point seems cheap.

Inland RV Center, In · 02-19-2010, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rustyrivet

I am also interested in the Centramatics. Unfortunately all the discussion I have seen surrounds 15" or 16" wheels. My 2005 Safari has 14" Alcoa Aluminum wheels that came standard on the trailer. Has anyone out there tried to install centramatics on the 14" wheels and, if so, did they work? If they worked, what model should I order?. Thanks. jc

I will call them Monday, and see what I can find out for you.

Andy

Al - K4GLU · 02-23-2010, 03:12 PM

What did you find out Andy? Might be interested in 4 14" myself for a 09 23' FB Flying Cloud.

TomW · 02-23-2010, 03:18 PM

Also, Andy - member Gen Disarry reported having to smush his Centramatics to get the wheels back on. He posted that the function did not appear to be impaired, but I would appreciate reading your observations on his situation.

Thanks,
Tom

ROBERT CROSS · 02-23-2010, 03:50 PM

third season....after my annual 10 mile trailer ride, shake, rattle and roll, I had the trailer tires road force balanced at work, re-test, dramatic improvement.

following year..... install centramatics, tow ride again, the feel of the running gear while underway, lack of road noise and smoothness evident immediately.

Bottom line...they work.

TomW · 02-23-2010, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

...Bottom line...they work.

My problem is getting a set that works with my original, 1967 wheels.

I'm hoping a vendor will, one day, categorically tell me his/her product fits my application instead of just advising me to return the balancers if no joy is realized.

Tom

eubank · 02-23-2010, 04:29 PM

That's strange, Tom. I ordered from the factory three years ago, and they fit perfectly on our 67.

Lynn