Balancing Wheels: Lead on Rim or Taped Inside

[streamintrip]

Originally Posted by Ray Eklund

******
Could you provide the part number for the Airstream six lug drums?

Do you install these AFTER a balance, or you install the Centramatics and that takes are of it?

Could you provide a photograph of the wheel with one installed. I am 100% ignorant on these, but heard of other Forum Members using them.


The website is vague and provides prices, but little else I could find.

If you call Centramatic, they will quiz you on your wheels and vehicles and give you the best information on the relevant part number(s). If, by chance, they have no product for your application, ie. my 2018 Colorado, they will also tell you that.

[streamintrip]

Originally Posted by Ray Eklund

******
Could you provide the part number for the Airstream six lug drums?

Do you install these AFTER a balance, or you install the Centramatics and that takes are of it?

Could you provide a photograph of the wheel with one installed. I am 100% ignorant on these, but heard of other Forum Members using them.


The website is vague and provides prices, but little else I could find.

Oh yes, pre-balancing, per Centramatic, is not necessary.

[Ray Eklund]

This should be interesting... I am going for a set of Centramatic Wheel Balancers for a 6 bolt, 16 Inch Model #300-356A at $199.00.

From previous posts I read many member's experiences with these. None were negative. Although 15 inch and 16 inch seem to use the same balancers.

I have:

Wheels: 16 inch Sendel S20-66655T
Tires: Michelin Agilis CrossClimate LT225/75R/16 LRE

From what I have read the Model #300-356A is what need.

Sounds like 'Jerry' at Centramatics is familiar with many of our AirForum members, as well.

I have asked Nancy to pull the 2019 27 Foot International Signature on a Nevada Highway, at highway speed and I will be sitting at the table to find out if all of this is true. If things begin to deteriorate from this experience, I will be following this up with how this. Too bad it cannot be live video... sometimes you cannot get everything.

No, I am not baking a cake. Ho ho ho.... but maybe that would have helped Lucille Ball.

I am getting this together to make the call tomorrow AM. Is this the model I need? Model 300-356A? I will know how to remove tires and wheels very well by now.

(I am adding this. Just for entertainment... I will ride in the trailer, being towed BEFORE the Centramatics. If Costco did a good balance job, I will say so. Then, after I install the Centramatics and give my opinion, if I manage to get through all of this. If I get motion sickness... it will be on my dime.)

[GMFL]

Originally Posted by Ray Eklund

This should be interesting... I am going for a set of Centramatic Wheel Balancers for a 6 bolt, 16 Inch Model #300-356A at $199.00.

From previous posts I read many member's experiences with these. None were negative. Although 15 inch and 16 inch seem to use the same balancers.

I have:

Wheels: 16 inch Sendel S20-66655T
Tires: Michelin Agilis CrossClimate LT225/75R/16 LRE

From what I have read the Model #300-356A is what need.

Sounds like 'Jerry' at Centramatics is familiar with many of our AirForum members, as well.

I have asked Nancy to pull the 2019 27 Foot International Signature on a Nevada Highway, at highway speed and I will be sitting at the table to find out if all of this is true.

No, I am not baking a cake. Ho ho ho.... but maybe that would have helped Lucille Ball.

I am getting this together to make the call tomorrow AM. Is this the model I need? Model 300-356A? I will know how to remove tires and wheels very well by now.

You will not be disappointed.

[pcskier]

Originally Posted by Ray Eklund

Sounds like 'Jerry' at Centramatics is familiar with many of our AirForum members, as well.

Jerry actually called me before shipping to confirm, because I ordered 5-bolt pattern (I have 15 inch wheels upgrade from 14 inch like Ronnie did and shows on his pic) and I think Jerry was unsure because so many people with trailers that have 6-bolt wheels like yours were ordering them, he wanted to be sure I needed five, not six.


Make the call you'll love 'em!

[ghaynes755]

For those in the Dallas area or passing through Centramatic will install for free at the facility. That was a BIG deal for our motorhome, not much of a challenge for an AS.

[UncleBad]

Originally Posted by Ray Eklund

Sounds like 'Jerry' at Centramatics is familiar with many of our AirForum members, as well.

Jerry is awesome, great customer service. I only wish they had Centramatics for Range Rovers too...

Can’t wait to hear about your results!

[Ray Eklund]

Yesterday... spoke with Terry, Jennifer and Jerry was at home and called me. Jennifer who I spoke with first tried calling me back and my phone service denied the call coming through. Since it was an 800- number and she needed to do something to get... through. So, Jerry called from home.

I did get the Model #300-356A Centramatic. It fits ONLY 16 inch wheels and it is larger diameter. I also read Switz's comments, on another thread, to confirm that I was NOT concerned that the unit would be possibly visible behind the wheel, as Jerry mentioned. The other is smaller and fits 15 and 16 inch. I am more interested in smooth running at Highway Speeds.

Switz tossed out a good argument as I call him the 'Oracle of Arizona' with his detailed explanations.

I do not look forward to removing wheels again in the garage. But... this will be worth it.

There is a very active positive feedback for Centramatic systems. I had no idea what these were when the first post # 3 by GMFL appeared with photographs. What.......? With a 2014 23 foot International... I hope you got the 15" Goodyear Endurance tires on that year. The photographs were obvously the pickup with disc brakes and large bearings.

I also wonder if these units on the front end of a Ford F250/350 would take care of the common issue of front end shaking on some?

Pcskier did a nice job clarifying mine and others who are seriously thinking about anything to improve our experiences towing a trailer that shakes the nuts and rivets out. Maybe this could be a big deal... then tire pressure next.

The Mohave Desert has been cool and pleasant. So much for Global Warming for this year. It is amazing how I can predict July to be HOT and December Cool. Take your right index finger, lick it and hold it into the air. It works.

Thanks all.

[Ray Eklund]

So I do not leave out needed information. I like to exceed the needed information...

Centramatic: Model #200-223 is 10 inches in Diameter (15" & 16" wheels)
Centramatic: Model #300-356A is 12.75 inches in Diameter (16" wheels only)

The 356A will show if you have wide spokes in your wheels. My Sendels have the small round holes and it would not have mattered to me, anyways.

[JCWDCW]

Today's wheel-balancers are very sensitive such that they can determine what weight goes inside vs outside. Rubber molding is not a perfect art and tires can be heavier on one edge than the other. I believe that if the machine is set-up to do internal weights taped on the inside of the wheel it will get the balance right. Anyway a good tire shop ...like mine.... will re-run the wheel to make sure the balance is good after the weights are put in place. Unlucky me ...I have steel wheels and the weights are covered by the stainless wheel covers...not so obvious

JCW

[GCinSC2]

JCW,

You stated you own a tire shop, care to comment on the Hunter video I posted in post 15?

Gary

[sdavis2616]

Originally Posted by GMFL

Centramatics. I have them on the truck and the trailer. Smooth as silk. Pick up a rock in the tread. It is instantly rebalanced.
http://www.centramatic.com/

I also use the centramatic and let the tires balance own their own.
I have been very happy with the performance so far.

[NavyCorpsman]

Ceramic balancing beads. Four ounces per tire.

[Life is a Highway]

https://www.ride-on.com/

Have used this in my Harley’s other utility trailers and soon
when I get over the cost for four tires our Airstream

Go to the site and read see if it’s for you I’m more after
The puncture protection. It saved our bucket on a Harley
Trip once.

Only vehicles I won’t use it is some internal TPS sensors are not sealed and
It can cause a failure. Not to worry on a trailer although I just found out at Hershey Airstream trailer has partnered with TST tire pressure system for future units.

You can used ride in even if you have had a tire balanced.

[JCWDCW]

Originally Posted by GCinSC2

JCW,

You stated you own a tire shop, care to comment on the Hunter video I posted in post 15?

Gary

I said my tire shop meaning my local shop I use and trust
Previous shop had issues! " we don't balance trailer wheels"!!! Ordered a bias ply tire to replace a GYM....
Technology today is changing as quickly as new ideas unfold
I am pretty sure a balance machine designed up dynamically balance aluminum wheels with stick on weights can compensate for uneven weight across the belt. However I have steel wheels and don't have any experience with the procedures.
Sorry I did not look at the video
JCW

[Tireman9]

It is true that a "Multi-plane" balance with achieving better results if weights are placed on both inside and outside wheel flange but IMO for trailer application adhesive weights on the brake drum side of the wheel should be good enough.
Most aluminum wheels are "clear coat" painters and placing a clip-on weight on the flange can create corrosion under the weight due to vibration.
Adhesive weights do not have corrosion because the double-sided tape prevents vibration of the weight.

[deasertman]

Originally Posted by NavyCorpsman

Ceramic balancing beads. Four ounces per tire.

X2 I use Equal 4 oz per tire in all my tires. For those not in the knowledge these are for putting inside the tire when mounting. I have never had any problems with tire pressure sensors eather. I used 8 oz in the big truck too. $2.00 to $4.00 per tire far cheeper than balancing tires over and over through out there life span.

[GCinSC2]

Originally Posted by GCinSC2

Here's one for the campfire discussion.

If you take your trailer wheels in for balancing, do you tell the shop if they are:

A. Hub centric.
or
B. Lug centric.

Which of these two different systems locates the wheel on the Airstream Dexter Axle Trailer hub?

I guess I'll take a shot at explaining what I hoped the video and question would trigger an additional discussion topic about balancing.

Anything that is going to be balanced has a balance reference surface and center line. That reference is used to correct the balance and that same reference is the component as installed.

And this discussion is about wheels and tire balancing.

Hub Centric. Many vehicles have wheels that center on the hub and the hole in the wheel. The wheel is balanced using that center hub hole. That is what you commonly see being used, a series of conical centering tooling used to center the wheel during balancing.

Lug Centric. I'm referencing my Airstream and I bet this applies to a majority of Airstreams too. There is no center alignment feature on the hub to center the wheels. They use the conical lug nut hole as a mounting reference feature.

Want proof that your wheel is not centered on the center hole? Do you have a center hub cap, it just fits looselyish in the wheel and several recent threads lately about loose center caps even making noise.

Now, look at the image on the Hunter video they are using a wheel lug hole based FLANGE PLATE centering tool to center the wheel, lug centric like an Airstream.

Back to the question, if you have lug centric mounting you should advise the tire shop that they are lug centric and make ask them if they have the proper tooling to correctly center the wheel like it will be when it's mounted.

Gary

[crispyboy]

GCinSC2,
That is great information about balancing that I was not aware of. I was aware of the differences between lug/hub centric wheels.


Centramatics - I have had good luck and bad luck. I run them on my pickup and travel trailer. I use ceramic balance beads in my utility trailer as I change those tires myself.
I had a set a of Centramatics go bad on my truck. My truck had developed quite a shake going down the highway. I finally figured out the media in the Centramatics was not moving any more and there was an oily residue on the ring of Centramatics. The company warrantied them and all was good again. The tires wear very evenly across the treads.
For those using Centramatics make sure you jack up your trailer and spin the wheels at least once per year to make sure the Centamatics are making their special noise (listen for the media).
My anecdotal evidence of even tire wear and smoothness of my truck make me a believer in dynamic balancing whether it is Centramatics, ceramic beads, balance masters, etc...

[Dave Teem]

At the start of summer I replaced all tires on my 30' Land Yacht MH. All wheels were "bead balanced". Seemed smooth as any other balance job with lead weight or tape. All of my cars have had the same with good results. The tire shop I use does alot of commercial rigs such as UPS and they all use the bead balance.