Search the Community

Looks like you may be near Akron? Because Loves apparently opened a new location in Delphos this year. There is zero actionable information in your post for anyone to offer focused advice to you. Even a tire size would help. Michelin typically is far, far more expensive than other tire companies. I'm guessing they offered the OEM chassis manufacturers a great deal because they know owners often want to stay with the same tire when replacement time comes up. If you plug your tire size into this site they will quote you a price installed at your location and using balancing beads. They also show the prices for acceptable alternate sizes and manufacturers: https://motorhometires.com/ They will show you how much more expensive Michelin is. There also are other reasons to not use Michelin but without knowing your tire size I won't mention them because they may not be applicable. But, due to the convenience factor, motorhometires is not cheap. Not totally outrageous and for people who need to drive an hour or more to get tires they can be reasonable. Me, I used a local company in Brunswick, OH, TPS Tire, to replace six 235/80R22.5 tires this summer with Toyo M154 245/75R22.5 tires: https://www.tpstire.com/ The price was about $2,800 installed, like $900 cheaper than motorhometires. We also had TPS install Borg Dually Valves on the rear tires to get rid of the valve stem extensions and they also installed Centramatic balancers I provided. The total cost was still cheaper than motorhometires but their suppliers would not send the newest tires. I told them I wanted nothing older than six months but privately would have accepted nine months. I'd read these tires come from Japan so I figured they would be older. The shop returned 18 tires before they got a set that was 11 months old, which I accepted. The first set was well over two years old. The warranty starts when the tires are installed and when we got the motorhome new the tires were already nine months old and had been pressurized for four months, which is why I was OK with the older tires. My 11-month old Toyos were first pressurized the day they were installed. I also used to work for a tire manufacturer a long time ago so I am not as focused on the tire manufacturing date as other people. To me, the date is more of a guideline than a rule. Why do tire suppliers not check date codes? Because the warranty starts when installed and most tires wear out before they age out. But not on the typical motorhome. TPS Tire is an interesting single-location company. They don't really advertise motorhome work but they do a lot. They have two techs who work on nothing but motorhomes and the related F59 delivery truck chassis. The techs are extremely knowledgeable and helpful. We've used TPS for various suspension improvements as well as this work. I also had them flush and replace the brake fluid and regrease the front wheel bearings this year.

Is anyone using CENTRAMATIC Wheel Balancers ?

Live in houston can't find an installer.

Bean bag and Dynamic is for balancing not wheel alignment. Balance steer tires. Consider Centramatics for wheel balancing. https://www.centramatic.com/

So, after doing a Google search for Centramatic balancers I found that the 800-820 unit was recommended specifically for my Prevost. However, I thought it would make sense to drop a line to Centramatic and ask them what they said I should use so I sent them an e-mail. I got a response right away but here's what it said: Message: I have a 1988 40' Prevost Country Coach with drum brakes all around. I use 12R 22.5 Michelin tires and I want to see what the correct Centramatics would be for my front axle. Thanks. Repsonse: Good day Thank you for your inquiry Need to know Number of studs? Tire size? Steel or aluminum rims? REGARDS, JERRY ROBERTSON DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL SUPPORT CENTRAMATIC 5345 SOUTH INTERSTATE 35 WEST ALVARADO TEXAS 76009 800-523-8473 jrobertson@centramatic.com Nothing on any website questions the rim type, I had already listed the tire type and someone at Centramatic should already know what number of studs are used by Prevost. I was less than impressed by the response and replied with this: Hummmm. Said they were 12R 22.5 tires. Alum wheels......studs? can't see with the hub caps. I will see if there is someone out there that knows more about your products than you seem to. Thanks! Response: You Do not have to be insulting. I guess it was an insult but how could I respond any other way to someone who had no real interest in finding the correct answer before responding. Putting beads or Equal in my tires is looking better at this moment.

Aquarian, Welcome back, I can not answer all of these questions but can comment on a couple. It is not uncommon to use the regional steers all the way around. The need for "traction" treads is not such a big deal as we seldom drive in mud or snow and it makes for a quieter ride . Another point to comment on is the use of the "RV" rated tire. This is just my opinion but observed by many. Why spend the money for an "RV" tire? The difference as I get it is the addition of oils or chemicals that make the rubber more UV resist and amongst other thing I suppose. Yet they really do not outlast the commercial designated rubber in terms of years of potential use. They generally age out before they wearout. Hence I am using a Goodyear 275 70 22.5 HSS steer all the way around and the ride perfectly acceptable. I also use Centramatic wheel balancers opposed to the other means of balancing since they require only a one time expenditure for the lifetime of the coach and all future rubber replacements. By the way the Toyos are a great value tire and ride very well and have had few complaints over the years that I am aware of. It was the OEM rubber on SMC Safari coaches for years.

I am using the Goodyear HSS truck steer 275 70 22.5. They seem just fine now 30 K on them. They were 500 apiece mtd and balanced. I would use them again in a minute. I now use Centramatic wheel balancers now AND IT IS ABSOLUTELY SILKY RIDE.

Very pleased with our's. On all axles! Tires can wear a bit uneven. And or mechanical balances can lose a weight. The Centramatic's adult as needed:)! Best to all, travel safe, have fun, Smitty

Hello all, I'm mostly looking for a sanity check to see if my thinking makes any sense. While I certainly enjoy tossing large sums of money at my coach, I generally like to see some improvement as a result. To date, the results have not been good. Thanks in advance!! 🙂 I've been fighting a fairly significant vibration on an MCI coach (102-EL3) for a couple years now. In general, it starts at 55mph is bad up thru 63 mph and is tolerable at 66-68mph. It may be better when cold - definitely bad after being in operation a while. Up/down hill doesn't matter. Coasting downhill doesn't make any difference. I won't bore you with all the details but will say that I've had every king pin, bushing, rod end, etc... replaced that mechanics have even given a second glance, all eight tires, four wheels, Road Force balanced all eight wheels/tires at least four times each (different shops), replaced tires, used Tru-Balance to mount wheels, etc... I have never tried balance beads and nobody has spent much time looking at the drive shaft. It makes complete sense to me that my problem is not the wheels/tires (given two different sets of tires and the number of times the wheels/tires have been balanced - perhaps the brake disk or ???). I was looking for a shop that would perform an on-vehicle balance and ran into the threads here about the Centramatic balancers. I haven't yet found such a shop in the NM area so was thinking of tossing another thousand $$ at it with these Centramatic balancers. Sound like a logical next step? Or, do you know of a really good shop that will do on vehicle balance in the SW (NM but I would go to PHX if there was optimism). Thank you!!

https://community.fmca.com/search/?q=CENTRAMATIC

I have used them for years. They have always worked on my 18 wheelers so I had them installed on our 40' Phaeton. Service Tire in York PA does my tire work. Have found the folks at Centramatic to be pleasant and knowledgeable. Brett posted the link. Call them.

windsport2018, Welcome to the FMCA Forum. I would contact the factory for their recommendation: https://www.centramatic.com/contact.rhtml

Five, I had my front spin balanced, the rear I did nothing. We also run Centramatics on each wheel end. http://www.centramatic.com/balancers.rhtml

All should be balanced. Regardless of tire position, an unbalanced tire will wear faster and put more stress on axle bearings. Ever watch a front load clothes washer as it begins to spin out water? It has an automatic load balancer to reduce component wear; sorta like the centramatic balancers for vehicle tires.

https://www.hunter.com/wheel-balancers/road-force-touch This is a shout out for Hunter's Road Force "Vibration Control System" GPS9700 wheel balancer. I just had my tires balanced on this machine yesterday at the Purcell Tire & Service Center in Fenton, MO. The difference is remarkable. I had problems finding someone with the balancer that would balance the tires on my motorhome but Purcell's main line is big truck tires and they gladly provided the service. The cost was $30/tire (I could have saved $2/tire if I'd just brought the tires in which I'd had to do with a few other tire shops in the past not willing to allow class A MHs in their service area). I opted to let them handle the whole job. They rotated the tires and adjusted the tire pressure while they were at it. My tires were made by Dunlop (Goodyear) and are 4 years old with about 20,000 miles on them - we bought it 3-1/2 years ago with these tires on it at the time. It has always had a slight vibration that came and went. I tired having the rear tires balanced last year with no success. I tired a set of "CentraMatic" balancers with no success. I'm not a fan of the ceramic crystals so that wasn't an option. Using the website I linked to above, I searched for a location near me. The closest shop within a mile of my house refused. Purcell is only about 10 miles on I-44 from our place so I called them next. The GSP9700 has a roller that presses against the tire while spinning it to see if there are any hard spots on the tire. If it finds any, (it also checks the wheel for truness at the same time) it has the technician rotate the high spot on the tire to the low spot on the wheel and checks it again. If the result isn't within spec, it will reject the tire or wheel or both. The result is a "new car ride" and I love it! I first heard about this balancer after I bought a new 2001 Residency MH on a Ford chassis that came with a balance problem. Ford issued a TSB covering the fix but when I called the MH Assistance center, I was told the nearest dealer equiped and willing to do the job was 125 miles from me in central Illinois! One of the problems with the early V10 chassis was the wheels were neither hub centeric nor lug centeric and 4 sets of alignment pins were needed to properly center the wheels on before tightening the lugs - Ford made the lug holes in 4 different sizes which was the reason 4 sets of pins were needed (this was remedied by the time the 2002 chassis was produced). It came with Goodyear's G670RV tires and they went through several of them and a few wheels trying to fix it. They were never fully successful in eliminating the tire bounce but I'm sure some of it came from a defect the Henschen tag axle which was never addressed.

We are back from our trip to Red Bay and we can pass this on to those who are going there for yearly maintenance or other work. Tiffin has opened an additional production line: currently selling 72 units a week and producing 65. We had our work done at Lakeshore Custom RV in Iuka, MS. Nathan and those guys were with Tiffin for 14 years or more and left on good terms. They completed 28 items in 2 days and the work was fast and complete. They installed new adjustable proportioning air valves provided by Tiffin to reduce the downward pressure on my tag axles, changed every oil filter, fuel filter, and fluid, Centramatic wheel balancers, replaced shade controller panel, replaced awning toppers, serviced fan gear box, serviced Hydro Hot, adjusted headlights, repaired roof ladder, repaired OTA antennae, programed door lock and remotes and serviced air dryer. They provided a place so we could stay in the RV with power and water and I can't tell you how happy we are. If you are planning to go to Red Bay of other than warranty work check them out, they are in Iuka, MS, 256-668-2195 Nathan, 662-273-1003 Office. Bill

We had some work done, 28 items, by Lakeshore Custom RV in Iuka, MS. which is next to Red Bay. They were Tiffin employees who have just opened this business and the Owner, Nathan was one of the few inspectors who was able to inspect every stage of production. They are real heavy on the chassis work but knew every system on the Bus. All work was completed in 2 days and we were able to stay on site in the bus at night with water and 50 amp power provided. This is how good they are, when it was pointed out that 2 of my slide toppers were with small rips they got the material, replaced them, checked and caulked the roof all within the original time frame. They also serviced the Agua Hot and flushed the system, replaced every oil, fuel, and air filter on the entire bus along with the fluid. Added Centramatic Balancers to the 3 axles and replaced the 4 air valves, 2 that are adjustable that add pressure to the main and tag axle. This is only a part of the work they did and does not include the OTA antenna, electronic door key pad, door key fobs or the new panel for the door shades and programing for the above. If you are over that way and want to check them out Nathan's cell is 256-668-2195, Office is 662-273-1003, their labor rate was $75.00/hr. Hope this helps as I know it has been a problem getting every thing done at one place in a timely manner. Bill __________________ 2011 Tiffin Allegro Bus 43 QRP Cummins 8.9, Mileage 24,850.

I am replacing 8 tires on a 2012 Tour to do some serious travelling next few years, michilien have 3, any thoughts or experience which one is best for higher mileage and smooth ride. Also interested on any thoughts as to balancing methods , last set I just through in the bags and worked fine, Loves are reccommending centramatic system at 500 in lnstead of 50 for sand.m

I need 6 new tires for '04 Dutch Star 38' on a Spartan chassis. Michelin tire models and sizing has me totally confused. Current Michelin size is 275/80R 22.5. Dealers claim this Michelin size is interchangeable to 295/75R 22.5 from brands that don't offer the original size. They tell me there will be no ill effects on the drive line or instrumentation. Valid point from one of the Michelin dealers is the premium prices commanded by the Michelins give you the longest mileage and that is a moot point since I don't drive enough to wear out the tires...... they will be removed due to old age, not lack of tread. So, I think I have decided on the Continental HSR2 SA at a $1000+ savings. They come in the 275/80R22.5 size and are an H rated tire that has the same load ratings as the Michelin. My other considerations were Toyo, Sumitomo, and Kuhmo. The Continentals appear to have a very extensive dealer network for National travel and that played a part in my decision. And they come in the original Michelin size. I'm thinking of taking the tire savings and buying the Centramatic on-board balancing system. Does anyone have experience with that product? I have one close friend who has had them on his last 3 coaches and swears by them. I priced all tires with spin balancing as I don't want to mess with any beads in the tires. After spin balancing and adding the Centramatics, I should have a smooth tire ride as the H rated tires would allow me to run lower tire pressures while handling the load. I'm far from being a tire expert, so I welcome any comments on my flawed thinking before I pull the trigger. ****

You might consider installing Centramatic wheel balance rings as they are a one time purchase and work with every set of rubber for ever, my choice. You could have the balancing beads installed inside the tire which also work. They are not my choice because if they become moist from contaminated air over time the will clump and be worthless! This is the least costly by a significant margin Brett's suggestion is by far the best most superior manner of balancing, but the Hunter equipment he refers to is very outdated and very difficult to find. It is outdated only because it is labor/time intensive and in this day and age... It was common practice in the 60s a,d early 70s. I have not seen the system used in decades.

I realize that I am peeling an onion.... beginning was BAD vibration 50 mph plus... noise and vibration worst in vicinity of rear axle. proper tire inflation = big improvment centramatic balancers = another huge improvement new shocks = no improvement in ride but much better driving manners balance driveshaft at local Volvo truck shop (guy said it was bad out) = almost all gone except mild vibration 59 to 61 63 to 70 = silky smooth ride....0 to 59 is like glass... Calling all experts.... what should I check next??? ideas? thanks

Ok guys... after much deliberation, I added Centramatic balances to all wheels..... huge huge difference... better ride and drives 100% better.... I just got back from a long Florida weekend, stress level from driving hit an all time low.... $100 a wheel and worth every penny...

If I am lyin/ I am dying. Run my tires a little above 110 and have not had to add any air to keep them there for over a year. Check them daily. Don't run in the winter. Stems are whatever the dealer put on 2 1/2 years ago. Michelin XZEs mounted by a well known truck tire dealer. Centramatic balancers. Maybe it is the Equal, although a very popular item with truckers in my area. Good luck.

I have not seen tires balanced on a vehicle in many years. There are probably shops that still do it but could be difficult to find. Since Brett mentioned it, he probably knows where to find them, but my guess is they are few and far between. Of course I could be wrong, but it has never been offered to me over the years. I do remember seeing steer tires, after being put on the rim, placed on a rather high tech looking machine that spun them for computer balancing at Service Tire in Harrisburg. I was told that if the tire exceeded normal balancing weights, it was rejected and sent back to the manufacturer. They never offered that service when drive tires were installed on the trucks I ran over the years. When I had 6 new Michelin XZE tires installed June of last year, I brought Centramatic Wheel Balancers with me that I ordered from the manufacturer in Alvarado Texas. Have used them for years on 18 wheelers with very good results. They are expensive, but they can be moved from one unit to the next. On the rare stretches of highway that are really smooth, that is all that I feel. SMOOTH!!!

On my last truck (2003 International 4400) the front end shake and shimmy was terrible. Ended up at a tire shop in San Antonio that did spin balance on the truck. They found both front tires WAY out of round. The actually shaved them into a nearly round condition then followed up with a balance. The difference was incredible! Another alternative might be to try Centramatic wheel balancers. These are disks (that mount behind the rim) with a tube around the outer edge containing loose material (weighted beads?) that provides a dynamic self balancing of the tire/rim/drum/hub package. Even if you pick up a rock or some mud on the tire, they will keep the tire in balance. In essence, you don't even need to have the tires balanced if you use Centramatics. I installed Centramatics when I replaced the tires the next time and really liked them and never had a shake or shimmy problem again. There are other (perhaps less expensive) alternatives such as beads inside the tire that do the same thing (which might be a good and economical experiment). Good luck, Lenp