For those in the Great White Nort', "tars" in the South are them round black rubber things what keeps yer pickup from running on rims.

My Breakaway has had an irritating vibration for quite a while. It showed up around 60-62 mph, about my usual cruising speed. I had the tires balanced three times, but each time the balance would be off (I have the balance checked first without stripping the weights). The last time, my Tire Guy, a terrific mechanic, noticed a spot on one wheel with about 3/16-1/4" runout.

So I ordered a replacement from Spartan (BTW, they are far easier to deal with than trying to locate parts on the 'net, and their prices are competitive - in fact since I've ordered many parts from them I got a discount) - Part #28853, which has been superceded by #29388 - 6-lug, two-hole Budd 19.5x6 (other Breakaway owners might want to note this part #).

So anyway, Eric, the Tire Guy, and I collaborated; he replaced the wayward wheel, and we installed 8 oz. of DynaBeads in each of the rear tires. The collaboration simplified installing the beads. Rather than popping both tire beads from the rim to make it a one-man job, Eric pried up one bead, and I inserted the bag with the DynaBeads.

I couldn't run more than 65 mph on the way home, but the vibration is gone, and the coach rides quite smoothly.

I balanced all my "tars" by putting about a pint of anti-freeze in each "tar". Somewhat contravesial but it works.

I considered doing that as well, but I don't know the effect of ethylene glycol on the tires chemistry; AFAIK, tires aren't fabricated with resistance to it considered. Besides, DynaBeads are kinda cool, more refined than the golf balls some truckers put inside their tars.

Looks like your vibration issues are over Rusty! Good news!

I have two 19.5 X 6.75 wheels being made for a trial with 245R70 19.5 "H" rated tires (Goodyear G670). The company that is making them is not known for their speedy response, been told they are in powder coating for over two weeks now. Probably will pay a visit to their place next week to expedite the process. I really like the looks of the Alcoas but 6" wheel is to small for 245 tires and Alcoa doesn't make a 6.75" in 19.5 6 bolt Budd style.

I have a truck shop that I go to that has a spin balancer and have had no trouble with 3 sets of 19.5 tires on Alcoa wheels.

IMHO, alloy wheels have the advantage of being turned, while stamped-steel wheels aren't. Actually, as far as I've been able to determine, Alcoa doesn't make ANY 6-bolt 19.5 Budd wheels, as this would've been my first choice.

All the balances on my wheels have been spin balance.

I had to replace all six 16.5 wheels on my SOB with 16" because of warping and no new replacements available. I had warp problems on my Ford LWB 1-ton diesel van - those there replaced with Pace alloy wheels, which were cheaper than Ford OEM steel wheels (imagine that!)

Granted we do not know the effect of ethol glycol on tires per say, but we do have many years of experience on rubber products. Namely radiator hoses and heater hoses.

I did the anti-freeze after a trucking firms told me about it when we were talking about using equal in tires.

I once used automotive antifreeze in a RV toilet with a rubber seal. It ate up the rubber and I had to replace it.

Do tires have the same kind of resistance to ethylene glycol that radiator hoses do? Gary will find out. I wonder if a better choice might be the pink RV antifreeze?

On the other hand, the inside of a hot tire might turn the pink stuff into dynamite, or acid. One always takes some risk in using a product for an unintended use. But I've done so many times with more success than not.

The formulae of different types of "rubber" producst are different. Ethylene glycol is pretty benign (except internally), but the ceramic in DynaBeads is totally inert.

Speaking of adding liquid for tire balance........

Would the addition of a liquid flat-proof product help balance? It is certainly a product intended for use with tire rubber.

The only observation I can offer is that some flat-proof products will cause massive corrosion pitting of alloy wheels.

I think most "flat-proof" products are designed to spread around the inside of the tire and stay there, providing little balance compensation.

quote:

Originally posted by Rusty:
I think most "flat-proof" products are designed to spread around the inside of the tire and stay there, providing little balance compensation.

I haven't really looked into that much, but the Slime in our mountain/desert bicycle tubes stays liquid. I always have to clear the stem of the liquid before I check pressure to avoid some of the sealant going into the gauge.

this is the first of this ive heard of ,thougth i was a little old school . guess not but this is intersting

I am looking at replacing the OEM steel front rims with Alcoas or American Eagle alloys. Here's a place in Houston that may carry just about every type wheel. http://www.chromewheel.com/