Escapees July-August 2023

weight and safety

“As you already know, tires are expensive. By having the tires balanced it will extend their life and give you better fuel mileage.”

Wheel Balancers By JIMKOCA #86367, Escapees RVers Boot Camp Instructor

TRAINING SCHEDULE ON PAGE 48

glass beads that our placed inside the tire. They will not damage the inner liner and they are great to use in any RV tire. I used them in my fi fth-wheel tires and the result was better tire wear. For more information, you can visit: www.counteractbalancing.com. Or, you can simply search for “balancing beads” online. Another method is to use Centramatic Wheel Balancers. The trucking industry has used his method for years. For the steering axle, they mount between the hub and the rim. For the driver axle, they mount between the inner and outer rims. Every motorized RV I have owned, I have used the Centramatic Wheel Balanc ers. For more information, visit www.centramatic.com. No matter which system you decide to use, you will not have to worry about balancing your tires and the addedbene fi t will be that the tires will run smoother, cooler and will last longer.

Depending upon who you talk to about how often you should balance your tires, you will hear from 5,000 miles up to 12,000 miles or every six months. The problem is that some drivers never get their tires bal anced once they put them on their vehicle. Wouldn't it be nice to have your tires in bal ance all the time as you are driving down the road? I f you pick up a rock in the tread, this can cause your tire to be out of balance until the rock has been removed. What happens if you hit a pothole and you lose a wheel weight? Your tire will be out of balance. There are several reasons why tires should be balanced. One of the main reasons is to give the vehicle an even and smooth ride. As you already know, tires are expensive. By having the tires balanced it will extend their life and give you better fuel mileage. If a tire is out-of-balance, it will cause more vibration in the suspension components. During Escapees RVers Boot Camp, we talk about two different methods to have your tires continuously balanced as they are rolling down the highway. One method is to use balancing beads. These are coated

THE SMARTWEIGH PROGRAM PROVIDES ACCURATE INDIVIDUAL WHEEL WEIGHTS FOR YOUR RV,

toad and tow vehicle, and it will help you to trim the pounds if needed. Complete weight analysis starting at just $60. Weighing appointments are available in Livingston, TX, Mon—Fri, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Livingston, Texas Rainbow’s End. Other times may be available. Call 936-329-6499 for information and reservations. Weighing is available at Escapade! www.escapees.com/smartweigh

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ESCAPEES Magazine July/August 2023