Centramatics for 14" wheels

[BDandTTs]

We will be replacing our tires this fall and want to add centramatic wheel balancers at the same time.

We have a 22' CCD with 14" aluminum wheels with 5 studs. The wheels have 12 circular cutouts outside of the studs.

So far I've received contradictory information. Centramatic said that a model 200-221 special would work but suggested that I contact Inland because of their pricing and experience with Airstreams. Inland, however, has told me that they do not have centramatics to fit 14" wheels, although they might be pursuing my request further with the company.

I'd really like to install these balancers but don't want to waste money nor time. If anyone has experience with centramatics on 14" wheels I'd appreciate hearing from you.

Thanks,
Dianne

[ZoominC6]

Dianne, First of all I have no experience with 14" wheels; however, I do have experience with the company. Those folks in Alvarado, TX know their business and If I were you I'd feel confident that they know what they're talking about. Go with their recommendation and return the product if you're doubtful it won't work out for you upon opening the box. If, in fact, things work out as indicated you may want to do something with the Centramatic Balancers prior to making the final installation. Clean them good with denatured alcohol and then spray paint them with a good flat black paint. Instead of looking like one large, solid aluminum wheel the spokes will stand out if you get my meaning. Good luck with your decision.

[dznf0g]

I just purchased Centramatics and installed them this week for 15", 6 lug wheel and they came painted with a flat black "rubberized" coating on them.

[ZoominC6]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

I just purchased Centramatics and installed them this week for 15", 6 lug wheel and they came painted with a flat black "rubberized" coating on them.

WOW! What a big improvement since we purchased ours in 2004! Obviously a company that listens to their customers and don't you love that?

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by ZoominC6

WOW! What a big improvement since we purchased ours in 2004! Obviously a company that listens to their customers and don't you love that?

Yeah, but I am somewhat concerned about 2 layers of coating betwen the hub and wheel, in addition to the Centramatic metal itself, and their effect on torque of lug nuts. I will watch closely. In hindsight, I think it would be wise to remove any coatings around the center of the contact area with the wheel and hub.

[BDandTTs]

Thanks for your comments and suggestions.

If anyone else has direct info on 14" installs I would still be interested in hearing from you. If I hear nothing further, I'll probably order directly from the factory instead of Inland, and hope that they will work with us if adjustments or returns need to be made.

Dianne

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by BDandTTs

Thanks for your comments and suggestions.

If anyone else has direct info on 14" installs I would still be interested in hearing from you. If I hear nothing further, I'll probably order directly from the factory instead of Inland, and hope that they will work with us if adjustments or returns need to be made.

Dianne

Dianne.

Please have the following information available when you call Centramatic.

How many lug holes in the wheels.

If the wheels are not steel, how much "flat" space is on the backside of the wheel.

That will help them to try and help you.

Generally speaking, non steel wheels do not have much of a flat area on the backside, which "MUST" be there, or the balancers cannot be installed.

Place a ruler on the backside of a mag wheel to determine how many straight line inches of space you have to work with, as the balancers are flat and must not be bent.

Andy

[BDandTTs]

Today, after talking with Jerry at the Centramatic factory, we ordered 4 model 200-221 balancers from Inland for our 2005 22' CCD.

14" Aluminum wheels with 12 openings
5 studs in a 4.5" diameter ring
studs are 1/2" diameter, 1 1/4" length
outside diameter of 'flat disc' 6.5"
total open area on backside of wheel 12"

Have attached photo of backside of wheel.

We are confident, but keeping our fingers crossed none the less. Now to order new tires.

Dianne

[Hansom-Man]

Any luck installing these yet? I'm thinking about installing these on our 23FB.

After towing 2500 miles I noticed that we lost about 4 rivets in the interior an items in the rear bath tend to get tossed around quite a bit (sliding storage panels always pop out of place).

Tires appear to have been balanced since weights were installed on the hub, but I have not removed the wheel to see if it has been truly balanced yet.

Cheers

[BDandTTs]

We've received the Centramatics but are waiting for the new tires. We'll post an update quickly after install.

[Air Cruiser]

Bringing this thread back to the top -- wondering if you have them installed yet? Also, what tires did you go with?

We just bought a 1999 25' Safari which has 14" wheels/tires, my DH was skeptical when he saw that they were 14". Have you ever had issues due to the wheels being smaller?

Thanks.

Deb

[jeffwink]

I have the same trailer/wheels. Were you able to successfully install the Centramatics?

[wbrownrr]

I'm curious too... has this worked out? I've got a 2002 22' CCD with 14" wheels and am intrested in the Centramatics.

[SilverGate]

Will be replacing our original Marathon tires this summer before resuming our camping in the fall and would like to install the Centramatic wheel balancers at the same time.

Can anyone confirm the correct Centramatic model/part number for our 23' 2007 Safari with 14"x6" aluminum wheels with 5 lug holes?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by SilverGate

Will be replacing our original Marathon tires this summer before resuming our camping in the fall and would like to install the Centramatic wheel balancers at the same time.

Can anyone confirm the correct Centramatic model/part number for our 23' 2007 Safari with 14"x6" aluminum wheels with 5 lug holes?

Which Centramatic you "might" be able to use, is a function of the wheel design.

Typically mag or aluminum wheels are "cone" shaped on the backside. That then interfers with the Centramatic flat plate.

Measure the backside of the wheel to see how large a flat area is, where a flat "dish" wwould seat.

Typically, a minimum of a 9 inch flat dish area is necessary, so that the balancer is not damaged.

Andy

[SilverGate]

Yesterday, Jerry of Centramatic confirmed the correct part number for Airstream trailers with 14" wheels, 5 lug holes and a bolt circle of 4.5" is 200-221.

He also emailed me this additional information:

THE 200-221 SPECIALS 12 ¾” OD PLATE ARE FOR 6 STUD 15”RIMS

THE 200-221 WHICH IS A 10” OD PLATE

HERE IS THEY WAY IT GOES FOR AIRSTREAM TRAILERS
WITH STOCK RIMS AND AXLES:

14” – 15” RIMS 5 LUG 4.5”BC 200-221

15” RIM 5.5” BC 6 STUD 200-221SPECIAL

16” RIM 5.5” BC 6 STUD 300-356

16” RIM 6.5” BC 8 STUD 300-318

.................................................. .......................................

Originally Posted by BDandTTs

We've received the Centramatics but are waiting for the new tires. We'll post an update quickly after install.

Dianne, looks like you were about to install Centramatic wheel balancers #200-221 in the fall of 2010. A number of us would appreciate hearing how your install went and have you noticed benefits since then (such as fewer rivets popping or more even tire wear).

It looks like these balancers would be especially beneficial for those of us who attach tire pressure sensors to our tires.

Thanks to all who have contributed information here!

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by SilverGate

Yesterday, Jerry of Centramatic confirmed the correct part number for Airstream trailers with 14" wheels, 5 lug holes and a bolt circle of 4.5" is 200-221.

He also emailed me this additional information:

THE 200-221 SPECIALS 12 ¾” OD PLATE ARE FOR 6 STUD 15”RIMS

THE 200-221 WHICH IS A 10” OD PLATE

HERE IS THEY WAY IT GOES FOR AIRSTREAM TRAILERS
WITH STOCK RIMS AND AXLES:

14” – 15” RIMS 5 LUG 4.5”BC 200-221

15” RIM 5.5” BC 6 STUD 200-221SPECIAL

16” RIM 5.5” BC 6 STUD 300-356

16” RIM 6.5” BC 8 STUD 300-318

.................................................. .......................................



Dianne, looks like you were about to install Centramatic wheel balancers #200-221 in the fall of 2010. A number of us would appreciate hearing how your install went and have you noticed benefits since then (such as fewer rivets popping or more even tire wear).

It looks like these balancers would be especially beneficial for those of us who attach tire pressure sensors to our tires.

Thanks to all who have contributed information here!

Jerry, unfortunately, all too many times, assumes that the back of all wheels are flat.

Mag wheels in particular, are cone shaped on the back side and therefore no Centramatic balancer will proper fit.

We have gone through this many times with owners.

Before anyone orders the Centramatic balancers, that are using mag wheels, measure the absolute flat area on the back side of the wheel.

If it does not measure at least 9 inches, then Centramatic does not have a balancer that will fit properly.

The 200-221 specials are made for us, and Jerry keeps forgetting that fact.

Andy

[SilverGate]

In fairness to Jerry, when he saw my photo, he said in the first part of his email to me:

"ARE THESE RIMS ORIGINAL RIMS?
IF THEY ARE AFTERMARKET WE MAY OR MAY NOT FIT DUE TO THE INSIDE SHAPE OF THE RIM"

... and of course my 14" rims are the original rims that came with my newly built 2007 23' Safari.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by SilverGate

In fairness to Jerry, when he saw my photo, he said in the first part of his email to me:

"ARE THESE RIMS ORIGINAL RIMS?
IF THEY ARE AFTERMARKET WE MAY OR MAY NOT FIT DUE TO THE INSIDE SHAPE OF THE RIM"

... and of course my 14" rims are the original rims that came with my newly built 2007 23' Safari.

The question is still, "does the back side of the wheel have a 9 inch flat circle or more" ?

I certainly have no idea what wheel Airstream installed on your coach.

Andy

[SilverGate]

Originally Posted by SilverGate

Yesterday, Jerry of Centramatic confirmed the correct part number for Airstream trailers with 14" wheels, 5 lug holes and a bolt circle of 4.5" is 200-221.

He also emailed me this additional information:

THE 200-221 SPECIALS 12 ¾” OD PLATE ARE FOR 6 STUD 15”RIMS

THE 200-221 WHICH IS A 10” OD PLATE

HERE IS THEY WAY IT GOES FOR AIRSTREAM TRAILERS
WITH STOCK RIMS AND AXLES:

14” – 15” RIMS 5 LUG 4.5”BC 200-221

15” RIM 5.5” BC 6 STUD 200-221SPECIAL

16” RIM 5.5” BC 6 STUD 300-356

16” RIM 6.5” BC 8 STUD 300-318

.................................................. .......................................



Dianne, looks like you were about to install Centramatic wheel balancers #200-221 in the fall of 2010. A number of us would appreciate hearing how your install went and have you noticed benefits since then (such as fewer rivets popping or more even tire wear).

It looks like these balancers would be especially beneficial for those of us who attach tire pressure sensors to our tires.

Thanks to all who have contributed information here!

My wheel pictured in post #16 above and in photo below is the OEM 14" styled aluminum wheel with 5 lug holes placed on my brand new at the time 2007 Safari.

I have contacted numerous people privately here on the forums and read the other Centramatic threads and I am amazed that I can find no one who has 14" wheels with the same style as mine who actually uses the Centramatics...

I'll probably wind up replacing the Marathons and have them balanced with the Pressure Pro senors in place and forgo what looks like unnecessary expenditure for me and the possibility that they won't fit properly anyway.