New tires

[Mike Nunn]

We just ordered two news tires for the front of our coach.  Should we use the bag of beads product ( there are a few) to balance the tires or use the regular weights?  I used the bags in a 450 dual wheel pickup and it seemed to work. We used the Monaco program, did not seem to be any problems.

[Karl Welhart]

I have used the beads (Equal) in my first set of replacements tires, and this most resent set.  I was satisfied with the results, but did have problems with the first set getting small debris in the valve stem, resulting in a leaky valve stem.  It looked to me like the first set was a powder like substance and the second set were more like glass beads.  This last set also, came with it own set of valve stems that appear to have a screen around the base of the stem.  

Anyway, I heard that the powder material can ball up and become hard over time and with the use of moist air in the supply line.  Truckers seem to be happy with 3 golf balls in the dual tire and 4 balls in the single (maybe the other way around).  Sounds crazy, but I have heard that from a number of truck driver/owners.

[LarryNCarolynShirk]

I have used Equal for 15 years, and never have to re-balance due to lost weights or abnormal wear.  All 6 tires got the treatment.

Larry

[Glenn Perkins]

Although pricier, you should really look into Centramatic balencers ... we have had them on our 1999 Marquis for more than 5 years and a couple sets of tires ... never need to balence again.