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If you’re not familiar with Centramatic Wheel Balancers, they basically automatically balance your tires while you drive EVERY TIME you drive. Trucking companies have been using them for years with exceptional results. I’ve been running them on my Jeep on 35’s for about 5 years now, I’ve NEVER balanced the tires on my Jeep ever. Although it’s a trailer queen now, when I drove it daily I could go upwards of 75 without any vibrations. I’m pushing 31K mikes on a MT and still have a ton of tread left.
I finally ordered a set for my 99 Dually and they arrived within 3 days of shipping, packaging was exceptional as always.
Packaged in very heavy cardboard.
They actually double box everything to prevent shipping damage.
I figured I might as well rattle can everything to make it look purdy.
These are the front spacers for the Dually.
The fronts simply slip over the hub, they fit very secure.
You can see here how the actually line up with the center of the wheel once it’s reinstalled.
Once the wheel is reinstalled , they are slightly visible
Here are the Balancers for the rears.
They simply install between the duals and everything bolts. There is some interference in reaching the inside valve stem but pulling the tire isn’t that big of a deal.
Here’s the rear installed, only slightly visible.
Centramatic Part # Dually
FRONT 400-408 $179
REAR 400-409 $189
To my door- $388
They should pay for themselves easily in longer tire life, not paying for balancing every 5K miles and consist tire wear.
Purdy cool mang...Brother and his boss were coming back from a lemon race up north with the diesel pusher and trailer. Gotta flat on the pusher on I5. Waited a few hours for tow dude to fix it. Removed tire and installed new, and they were then on their way. Asked bro how he balanced the tire and he said, he threw a bunch of "shots" inside the tire...couldnt believev it
I have seen these (and considered them) but had to wonder if they were "worth it" or "really worked".
Hope you tell us how they do in 30 or 40 thousand miles.
OR, Did you "NOTICE" a real difference after installing them?
Does this mean you can remove any & all wheel balance weights that are currently installed on your wheel and this thing takes over ?
Does this mean NO MORE charge for "high speed wheel balance" when going to a shop to have a tire R & R'ed or when you have to have a flat repaired. ... ??? It's a pretty big chunk of change if they are just "gimmicks" DDT
The Centramatics are popular on the Airstream trailers. Everyone who has installed them says the trailer rides smoother resulting is less rivet popping and less things getting bounced around inside. The one and only con that I can see is putting them on your vehicle, they will compensate for a bad tire and you may not feel the bad tire in time to deal with it before it comes apart. Frequent tire inspection should be a priority but how many actually do it? Or even know how?
So deciding to open the wallet now for the Balancers was because I NEEDED the front tires balanced at around 60 mph I had serious vibration. . They want $12/tire to balance and rotate,so I figured nows the time. I drove the truck to work this morning, I got up to 90 without any vibrations...NONE! So they are working, very happy . There was never any doubt that they actually work though, I've been running them for years.
Regarding tire weights, yes, they get removed, however, mine are still installed, getting them removed today. So the Balancers even compensate for the tire weights being out of specs so to speak.
Regarding BIGB56 comment about a bad tire and not noticing it before it comes apart. The instructions tell they will NOT compensate for a out of round tire. And you can say the same thing about a "just balanced" tire too.
A couple of the owner-ops we deal with run em. I prefer them over using the bags to balance, less mess. A set of four for SRW trucks is $200, not as bad as I thought they would be honestly.
I have been running them for about 5 years without issue or vibration. I had my tires balanced when mounted (315/75x16 summer tires) and these compensate as the the tires wear and the balance changes. I also swap to different tires and wheels in the winter (studded snow tires on factory rims) and not had any noticeable vibrations since putting these on. IMHO they are worth the money.
This is a much better solution in my opinion than the beads that go inside the tire. I am following this closely and am optimistic about the posts that are showing up.
I had not thought about the 5th wheel trailer having them installed, that is something to consider as well since we are/will do cross country trips.
they, centramatic balancers, are popular on the airstream forums as well on trailer tires.. I get my tires at discount tires which includes free leak fix, free rotate and balance. Just take it in every 5k miles and not a charge. would not buy tires from place that does not provide life time balance and rotate. now not sure about the "road force" type balance service if they provide that and if it is covered.
Regarding BIGB56 comment about a bad tire and not noticing it before it comes apart. The instructions tell they will NOT compensate for a out of round tire. And you can say the same thing about a "just balanced" tire too.
Good to know, when I brought this up on the Airstream forum no one mentioned this but it makes sense. I wonder to what extent they will balance a tire in the very early stages of separation. I am very much in tune with my tires and can feel the slightest variation on the highway. This saved me twice when my BFG Rugged Terrains began to fail, I noticed a barely perceivable jiggle in the cup holders. My wife thought I was nuts but sure enough each time it was a tire in the very early stages of separation
that is an interesting commentary for sure.. the ability for tire to "self balance" could be a bad thing as in what you experienced with your tires. Wonder if the manf has done testing on this issue or has info they could share.
I guess it has to do with how much weight the centramatic can provide around the tire and its ability to overcome something like tire seperation issue..
food for thought for sure.. thanks for that
Originally Posted by bigb56
Good to know, when I brought this up on the Airstream forum no one mentioned this but it makes sense. I wonder to what extent they will balance a tire in the very early stages of separation. I am very much in tune with my tires and can feel the slightest variation on the highway. This saved me twice when my BFG Rugged Terrains began to fail, I noticed a barely perceivable jiggle in the cup holders. My wife thought I was nuts but sure enough each time it was a tire in the very early stages of separation
Some of you are way overthinking...NOTHING is going to overcome a tire that is separating, it doesn't matter whether it Centramatic, beads, clip on weights or stick on weights. Typically there is very little to no warning when they separate, if you're not obvious you may feel a slight vibration but by then it's happened. Now an improperly balanced tire is going to take more abuse on the road and therefore more prone to fail than a tire that's properly balanced. The same goes for for tire just balanced verses one balanced 6K miles ago technically they're both balanced but the one just balanced is going to roll smoother than the one that has worn down.
Centramatic Wheel Balancers installed
