Jump to content

Super Singles


1566Hog

Recommended Posts

Didn’t want to hijack another thread. 
Anyone have opinions on super single tires?  Seems like almost every super single I look at (that isn’t brand new) is worn funny. 
I just bought a 32ft side dump pup trailer that has super singles. The dolly in front also has super singles. My 42ft lead trailer has 24.5 dual wheels. About half of the super singles on the pup and dolly are worn out, and was contemplating changing the tandem dolly and pup to duals. I’ve never even been around super singles. Will just be hauling gravel, dirt, broken concrete, and other demo/debris locally. 
Thanks for any opinions. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I see a lot of pups behind log trucks with the big wide super single tires. I never asked why they run them, maybe because they weigh less or possibly flotation.

I would think for your application, and this is if it was my truck/trailer, it will be in a dirty environment where the possibility for tire damage is high. Damage one tire you can always limp on the dual to the tire shop or your own shop. Damage a super single and your calling the tire service truck

Link to comment
Share on other sites

company i used to drive for starting switching the trucks and refer trailers but not the dry vans or flatbeds to super single , about the time they got 75% switched over they did the math and abandoned the switchover and went back to all duals. reasons they gave were they weren't getting the milage out of them plus the cost of service calls if a tire took a dump. most times it required a new rim too, plus not all tire dealers stocked rims and tires.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I run super singles on my own stuff. My drives are pushing 180,000 miles. They are starting to cup, and I should rotate them, but I won’t. I’m running 110psi, and if my air compressor would build 120, I would be there. Not sure how many miles I can get out of my trailer tires. I put my old drivers on it when the trailer needed tires back in November a year ago, and I don’t think it has gone over 40,000 miles since. 
I got started with them for the weight difference, but have stayed with them because I always have issues getting the duals to wear even. 
I have blown 2 super singles since I started using them and neither have ruined the rims. 
They aren’t for everyone and at $1325 each they aren’t cheap. 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 minutes ago, Lazy WP said:

I run super singles on my own stuff. My drives are pushing 180,000 miles. They are starting to cup, and I should rotate them, but I won’t. I’m running 110psi, and if my air compressor would build 120, I would be there. Not sure how many miles I can get out of my trailer tires. I put my old drivers on it when the trailer needed tires back in November a year ago, and I don’t think it has gone over 40,000 miles since. 
I got started with them for the weight difference, but have stayed with them because I always have issues getting the duals to wear even. 
I have blown 2 super singles since I started using them and neither have ruined the rims. 
They aren’t for everyone and at $1325 each they aren’t cheap. 

i had 230,000 miles on a set when they started have pieces chip out of them about the size of a pea, but from what i was told most drivers were lucky to get 200,000 out of them even though the tire manufacturer claimed they should go 250,000 or more, duals were getting 260,000 or more. new rims were in the $700 price range

Link to comment
Share on other sites

They don’t do well in the snow. Seems to be issues every year with southern rigs equipped with super singles. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 hours ago, vtfireman85 said:

They don’t do well in the snow. Seems to be issues every year with southern rigs equipped with super singles. 

that's another reason company went away from them, too many towing bills, you could get stuck on level ground on hard packed snow

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Talked with a local driver on farm, hauling apples out of orchards, and from storage to processor. Farmer bought 2 trucks with super singles. Over the road was fine, but getting around on the muddy lanes was a issue. One truck back to duals, and they hauled gravel to all the farm lanes and loading areas the next summer. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was under the impression that super singles had a fuel efficiency advantage over duals and that was the driving (no pun) force for changing or spec'ing new. Does the 1 MPG or so, if it's that much,  get wiped out with a flat compared to a flat with duals?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

10 hours ago, Takn4aFool said:

i had 230,000 miles on a set when they started have pieces chip out of them about the size of a pea, but from what i was told most drivers were lucky to get 200,000 out of them even though the tire manufacturer claimed they should go 250,000 or more, duals were getting 260,000 or more. new rims were in the $700 price range

I have never gotten 150,000 out of duals. Probably operator error, but it is a fact. Never bought a new rim so I don’t know there. You can buy used rims all the time for a couple hundred. Of course if you have to get one while along side the road, you are screwed. 
Ever seen a southern driver get around in snow period? I guess I haven’t noticed any difference between singles and duals, traction wise. The duals I took off were terrible in mud and snow. Bridgestone 760. As soon as they got a little wear, I was stuck. 
I have been up to 7 mpg, but my average is 6.1. My right foot causes the decline way more than tires or weight. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

15 minutes ago, catman13 said:

i have run 15 miles loaded with a flat dual and 40 miles back to the shop, if i had singles i would have been waiting up to 2 hours for service call and that eat up any savings, 

(and they just look funny)😁

And pretty good chance the inflated tire was exceeding its weight carrying abilities and not too mention it is a ticketable offense driving on a flat tire. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The ready-mix company I drove for years ago, like about 50 yrs ago had 3 trucks with ALL Super-Singles, an FWD 6x6 and a pair of White Construkors that were 4x6's. As you would expect, the FWD would go about anywhere, the two Whites really didn't like mud, sand, or even dry loose dirt.  Everything else, the 5 or 6 1966 Whites and 5 new Diamond Reo's all had duals on the drive axles,  all steer tires were super singles.

    One afternoon we poured a hundred yards of paved ditch along I-74, first truck on the job was the FWD, and surprisingly he got stuck and the big CAT endloader pulled him out. I was next with my Diamond REO, I pulled the Allison AT down into low gear and mashed the gas and went flying thru the ruts the FWD left and pulled up to where I needed to start unloading.

   They were starting to back the endloader up to hook up to me but I was able to get slowed down and stop.  The following year I drove one of the '66 Whites, they had duals on the drive axles, but tread was evidently an option, once again pouring paved ditch but on I-80, we had to drive thru a woods on a dirt or sand path or road. No problem loaded going in, but empty coming out one sand hill I made 5-6 attempts before I got up it. Truck would start power hopping on the dry sand, kept backing up farther and farther back and get a faster run at that last hill.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I won't have super singles on tractors but we have super singles on our two tri axle Wilson grain trailers.  Cuts down on the number of tires to maintain. Our previous Wilson trailer also had super singles.  If we blew a tire on we would jack the end of axle up and chain it until we got the nearest shop.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Switched over to super singles on a side dump tridem. Good idea to chain up the flat to get where you got to go.  The single was cheaper than 2 single duals. We shall see. I drove a flat dual 160 miles to get repaired with a load of hay on my flattrailer. Miraculously the dead tire was no worst for wear. Fixed the hole in it aired it up good to go

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A guy has some wagon running gear with super singles on them. Trailblaser brand I think. The photos he sent shows 2 coupling poles. I have not seen other than pics, he wants us to cut them down and put silage beds on them.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...