The Centramatics Thread

[DHart]

Originally Posted by switz

Not all workers at tire centers have been motivated to do the job properly the first time, not realizing they could put someone at risk down the road with their indifferent attitude.

Lou... are you running Centramatics on your new coach? Thumbs up?

[switz]

The Michelin LTX (P) 235/75R15 XL tires are mounted on SenDel T03-56545T wheels (15" wheels with 14" drum brake 5 bolt circle) with the Dill 1506-453 TPMS system and Centramatic model 200-221 plates. Tire pressure is set to 44 psi.

These wheels are the same design as on our Classic, just an inch smaller in diameter.

All will be mounted on the trailer before the unit leaves the dealer lot.

[Bluto]

Last trip, one of my trailer wheels threw a weight. I'm now thinking of buying a set of the Centramatics for the trailer and possibly for the TV as well. Of course, I like to buy at the lowest total price. If I purchase them for both vehicles and buy direct online from the manufacture here in TX I have to pay tax and shipping and the regular price for the whole order and that comes to $632.39.
Break down of costs:
Trailer complete set=$199
Truck front= $179.
Truck rear= $189
subtotal= $567
Tax=$35.44
Shipping=$29.95
Grand Total=$632.39
Anyone aware of a supplier selling them for less? Lower prices, free shipping and/or no tax would make my day!

[Sphere Guy]

Bluto, are you close enough to CM mfg to pick them up yourself? That could save you a few bucks.

I haven't found them any cheaper as well.

[Silverflames]

Did you try Andy at Inland RV?

http://www.inlandrv.com/catalog/prod...roducts_id=485

$40 each

[Bluto]

Sphere Guy, I may just end up doing that if I can't get better pricing.

Silverflames, Ya, but Id have to buy new axles to get that price from Andy. Thanks
but I'm about 20 years away from needing new axles. But it was worth a look!

[Silverflames]

Ahh.. Didn't know that.. Got mine with axles.

[slowmover]

Bluto, that's not that much more than a tire or two.

If you're near Alvarado, TX, it's a first class shop to check alignment on both vehicles. So, if you've also been needing to upgrade truck antiroll bar bushings to poly (factory rubber should be disposed of off showroom floor), stop on in. Order the grease-able Energy Suspension versions beforehand to bring with you.

[Bluto]

Slowmover,

I didn't know they did other stuff to, it's good to know, a good shop is hard to find these days. Just finished a 4000+mile trip a couple of weeks ago. Now I'm starting the check everything and change fluids and filters so of course this thread caught my attention. I see you and others have had some good things to say about Centramatics so they are on my list for a near future purchase.

[MelGoddard]

Are they available in Canada?
How 'bout other brands that do the same thing?

[pappy19]

I have them on both my F-250 and my Classic 30' slider. After 20,000 plus towing miles, no wear observed.

[blkmagikca]

Originally Posted by MelGoddard

Are they available in Canada?
How 'bout other brands that do the same thing?

I don't know about other brands that do the same thing, but since you order from the manufacturer, I would think that they would ship to Canada. In my case, since I was having all new running gear installed at JC, I had them shipped there.

[Arcticfox]

Tagging in so I can find it again


Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

[switz]

One could save TX sales tax by shipping the Centramatics to your future camp site in another state.

I have had Centramatics installed on both Honda GoldWing motorcycles, all the Airstreams past and present and the 2012 Dodge Ram 2500HD diesel pickup.

I also have installed either 15" LTX (P) 235/75R15 XL or 16" LT225/75R16/E LTX M/S2 Michelin tires along with the Dill 1506-3453 TPMS system and the appropriate sized and matching SenDel wheels (T03-66655T for the Classic and T03-56445T for the 23D). I also used the McGard 24138 Chrome Cone Seat Wheel Locks and McGard 64010 Chrome Bulge Cone Seat Style Lug Nuts (1/2" - 20 Thread Size) acquired from Amazon.

Since the 23D wheel bearings were not properly lubricated by Dexter axle during assembly and not checked by Airstream at the factory or the dealer, we had to properly lubricate three of them and replace a scored set after driving under 2,000 miles from the dealer to Texas via CanAm in London, Ontario. This last of attention to detail would make one doubt the 14" drum brake castings were even balanced in China. Thus the Centramatics make sense to help balance the drum casting along with the spin balanced Michelin tires.

The Classic was converted to Kodiak disc brakes and would be balanced to start with. The Centrmatics help keep all the wheel components in balance since the Dill DPMS valve stem sender is mounted inside the tire.

[Widget]

I haven't had the time this weekend to fully research, but wondering if anyone here has a quick answer in the meantime. I've got 15" sendel S20's and believe I read somewhere that the 16" Centramatics would fit and give a hair extra balancing force over the 15"s. Can anyone confirm this?

[switz]

You may find out that the Centramatic 16" 6 bolt pattern "#300-356 all A plates" would not allow the the 15" wheel to fully seat as they could be against the fingers of the wheel. They will work with you to exchange them, but you eat the freight three times.

The recommended Centramatic 15" 6 bolt pattern "#200-221 Special" should have no issues.

[Airstreamer67]

I had Centramatics for several years but one of them must have leaked the oil or something because the balls seem to have gotten stuck and quit rotating freely in the housing. I then bought a set of ceramic Dynabeads for about the same cost as one Centramatic replacement and have been using them with good effect. When I change tires, I slice the sidewalls open and extract the Dynabeads because they are reusable.

[PKI]

I have been reading that folks were buying Centramatics because the brake drums were not balanced. However, it did not connect until I read that the brake drums were balanced by the factory along with the wheels and tires as a set. Therefore the smooth ride that we see goes away if the wheels are rotated or the tires are replaced. Any modification kills the drum balance. Felt real dense when I finally figured it out. So, we will order the Centramatics tomorrow. Pat

[Ted S.]

Originally Posted by PKI

I have been reading that folks were buying Centramatics because the brake drums were not balanced. However, it did not connect until I read that the brake drums were balanced by the factory along with the wheels and tires as a set. Therefore the smooth ride that we see goes away if the wheels are rotated or the tires are replaced. Any modification kills the drum balance. Felt real dense when I finally figured it out. So, we will order the Centramatics tomorrow. Pat

Where did you read this? Its pretty interesting, but if true, it basically means that every vehicle on the road passed its first rotation is not balanced. It makes sense but I question if it is true.

The most logical thing would be to balance the drum or rotor alone, then balance the tire.

I have balanced many tires when I was younger, I know for sure the machine we had could not also do the brake drums. It only allows wheels on the balance.

So good info, I think we need to verify, or buy Centramatics and not worry about it.

[dznf0g]

Based on every trailer I have had, and the lack of weights on ANY wheels, and the lack of ANY grinds and/or cuts on drums (rotors), I don't believe ANY balancing is done to the entire rotating mass when built.