Tire Balancing

We've used both methods on our 2001 Adventurer with the 19.5" wheels. Both seemed to work well. The only cautions if us use Equal or some other similar brand are to have new valve stems with about a 2" straight length installed and use vakves that have filters.

The first time we used Equal on the front tires we had problems with material getting in the valve every time we checked tire pressure. Even though we had the valves with the filters installed the stems were curved enough in the filter area that the filters couldn't seal against the side of the stems. We had to change out the stems for ones with a longer straight area so the filters would seal on all sides.

I had good luck with Equal on my previous coach with both Goodyear G670's and later with Hankook AH-12's. Both were smooth.

My current rig has Michelin XZA2's with some powder or beads used by the selling dealer when they replaced the tires. It was not Equal but some other brand of either beads or powder. I have a problem with a steer tire/s hopping at higher speeds. RV Dealer says to have someone 'true' the tires and will actually pay for that if I bring the coach back to them (300 miles). A local fleet dealer who sells Michelins does not recommend or use beads or powder and wants to demount the front tires, remove the beads, and spin balance on his Hunter equipment. If a tire is not round, he will replace it.

We also use Centramatics on all wheel positions.

Cost to install is zero if done when tires changed. If other time, what ever they charge to R&R the front tires and outer duals in back.

That Centramatic is a very interesting product Timmac. I saw product cost as a high of $215 a wheel for 19.5's. What was the cost to install please?

By far the best thing to use is this product..

Centramatic Balancers are a unique line of "On Board" Balancing Systems for tires and wheels that maximize tire life and smooth your ride. Mounted behind the wheel they offer permanent solutions for balancing assemblies. Centramatic Balancers operate automatically and can adjust instantly for changing conditions.

http://centramatic.com/Home.aspx

I prefer the weights. Even when I had a class A.

The beads appear to work better on larger tires such as 22.5's. I had them removed from my 19.5 inch tires because of the thumping/vibration coming through the steering wheel especially after coming to a stop. This continued for over 500 miles. Had a good balance job and thumping disappeared making driving more enjoyable.

We've always used the beads and have been satisfied. Check tire prices through FMCA. Tires come from a local dealer, but the pricing comes from FMCA......Dennis

I prefer the "beads" or another product called equal. It inside your tires and you never have to be concerned about the lead weights falling off. Once you start moving your tires are automatically balanced.