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Balancing tires

Yahoo Message Number: 117808
I plan on getting new tires and have always had them spin balanced before. Now the dealer tells me putting ballast in the tires is better. I want to know if anyone has had experience with ballast.
Dave
2005 Allure #31284
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Re: Balancing tires

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 117810
Ballast/beads are ok but make sure they put the right valve stems on for the beads. My guy didn't and I had flat tire problems after trying to add air.

Re: Balancing tires

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 117811
Good question. What about alignment? Not sure I need to align the Duals and the tag. Thinking about replacing the Duals this year.

Wally & Elta Mae
2007Allure 470 Sunset Bay #31535

Re: Balancing tires

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 117812
Good comment, I have a bent extended valve.

Wally & Elta Mae
2007Allure 470 Sunset Bay #31535

Re: Balancing tires

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 117813
I'd call BS on that one. He must not have the equipment to spin balance.
2006 Magna 6622
New tires that are spin balanced

Gary Glenn
Bright Idea RV LED Lights
325-665-4993

Re: Balancing tires

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 117814
Most Prevost bus owners prefer Centramatic balancers. Once ballast was used by many but many suffered from leaking valve stems. Balance weights on rims are the second best , needing rebalance often and disappear from the rim over time.
AL
CC5851

Re: Balancing tires

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 117816
I always balance tires on our RV. We also have Centramatics on all axle positions.

I look at it as a small overall costs, over the 6 1/2 - 7 1/2 or so years I expect out of tires.

I'll also share, that the Tire Manager at Parkhouse Tires in San Diego, said to only balance the Steers. I said nope, that I thought it would make a difference. I had had about 3 previous discussions with this Tire Manager, as I also ordered and had them installed, Crossfire's for the Duals. So we'd had a good dialog going. He said how about we only balance the Steers, leave the Centramatics off of the Duals and Tag and go for a test drive. (As luck would have it, their was a very good refinishing of part of I8 thru the Mission Valley, for those of you who know the region. This was our 'test drive' area.) I placed a larger Tupperware container with water about 1/2 way up, on the tile floor of the bathroom, over out Dual/Drive Axle. We took the drive, and I felt the ride was fine up over the Steers. The Tire Manager and my wife, watched the water in the Tupperware as we were in the stretch of smooth highway. Lots of rippling and obvious signs of vibration transfer, is what they both concluded. Back to Parkhouse, and tires balanced. And we repeated the test. Well, still felt the same to me in the front. But they both felt the water was less rippling shaking after the balance. Back to Parkhouse again, and the Centramatics (And Crossfire's) were installed all around. Back out for the final test. Steer felt the same to me up front, but very minor movement of the water in the Tupperware on this final drive. (All in the same lane, and all at the same speed.). The Tire Manager said he had not expected to see an improvement from the tire balance of the Dual (With the Tag also not Balanced.) - he was impressed with the further improvement via the Centramatic's (Dual and Tag.). Me? Well we expected to own the coach for 10-15 years of usage, so the Centramatic's cost spread over that timeframe, was minimal. And I'd had RV'er's I respected, say they felt they were a good way to go. As a tire ages, or the roadways and travel slighter bumps and bruises to our wheels/tires - the Centramatic's are able to maintain the balance! --- So, that's my story:)!

Best to all, have fun, be safe,
Smitty
04 Allure 31017
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

Re: Balancing tires

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 117819
http://inflationsolutions.com/truck-and-rv-products/crossfire-tire-pressure-system/

Dave - It interconnects the inside and outside tires of the Drive axle. Typically the inside tire will carry a tad bit more of the load then the outside tire, and get a little hotter, and thus PSI will get a bit higher. The Crossfires allows the tires to equalize pressure between them. In case of a slow leak, and or sudden blowout, the valves are designed to automatically stop/check the air flow between the two wheels.

But read up on them, as some people think their snake oil, and other people (myself) see a benefit:)!

(Above. Was just a few comments on Crossfire's, so Google is your friend:)!).

Best,
Smitty
04 Allure 31017
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

Re: Balancing tires

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 117823
I am with Al on the Centramics. I just had 3 pair installed on my Prevost Country Coach and they work great.

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