Super singles VS duals

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by jet460, May 27, 2013.

  1. jet460

    jet460 Heavy Load Member

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    Modesto, Ca
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    Coming up on my 1 year mark in this profession.
    My FL has had singles on it from day 1.
    That is all I have used.
    In the snow, ice, or even a heavy rain, my truck spins the tires badly.
    I have had to chain in the middle of the hwy, as other trucks flew past me, because I had zero traction on my drives.

    Are duals much better, or am I just experiencing what everyone else experiences?

    Seems like those drag slicks are not made for winter.
    I want better traction this winter, if I can get it.
     
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  3. STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    Sounds like you've got some other issues going on and I suspect if that same truck had duals put in place of the SS's, you're "poor traction" problems would be even worse. Or you've got a set of cheap-a $ $ tires that need replacing with Michelins
     
  4. ironpony

    ironpony Road Train Member

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    I haven't had any problems with wide singles on my truck. I'm on the second set of drives now...
     
  5. ‘Olhand

    ‘Olhand Cantankerous Crusty

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    Without getting into the SS/Dual debate--the tires have more to do with traction than the type--I have seen SS tires patterned after Trailer Tires and SS patterned with a deep good groove--so IMHO the tire design has MUCH more to do w/traction then SS or Dual--can spin with either one and can run well with either one
     
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  6. CDL1968

    CDL1968 Medium Load Member

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    I was talked into singlewides on my trucks so I decided to start ordering them that way and my drivers reported all the same issues you mentioned. I drove them and didn't like the way they handled myself but didn't run into any issues that I could say were due to the singlewides. I have stopped using them on all my trucks due to driver complaints. Besides I seen no improvement in fuel mileage or tire wear like they claimed.
     
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  7. 379exhd

    379exhd Road Train Member

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    I run duals never ran super singles but I have never had major traction loss in snow and ice even being empty. I have had problems getting out of parking lots empty before but 4th gear, kick the power divider in and it always got out. I've heard a lot of traction complaints about SS never had a traction problem with duals. But you have to do a fair comparison as well. I run deep lug tires that bite in snow and ice I don't run a "fuel efficient tread pattern" however I wouldn't ever has a set of super singles put on my truck. Only advantage I see is weight savings. And sorry I don't get paid by how many skids are on the truck I get paid flat rate so the extra weight savings would hurt more than help. As for fuel economy they're all estimates and I doubt I'd see much improvement. And as for roi...hell no specially running as on a spread. Look at Fontaine trailers study 120k or 200k out of duals? I'll pay a little more for my duals and I can still limp when one blows and I don't take out an $800 rim either. I have a friend that swears by singles sorry I wouldn't get caught dead with them. And with weight savings specially on trailers 120lbs isn't worth it...nor is the extra fuel savings that you supposedly get. Oh and let's not forget run them on a spread axle trailer in some states and you only get 34k instead of 40k good law IMO but that's me and you know what they say an opinions like an a hole everybody's got one. I'd say stick with duals if I were you...remember the old saying if it ain't broke don't fix it?
     
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  8. laytonrock

    laytonrock Light Load Member

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    Feb 28, 2013
    minneapolis
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    we've had ss on our tanker fleet and are now going back to duals mainly because of winter traction issues i think if you order a truck with factory ss you cant switch them because the axles are wider, maybe someone knows more about that. i just remember that on a 389 pete i drove once. happy trails
     
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  9. CaptainX3

    CaptainX3 Road Train Member

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    Fort Worth, TX
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    Maverick runs all super singles on their temp control trucks. I have driven a truck with all duals as well, the only difference I've noticed is that if there is deep water on the road or interstate, my trailer has a much higher chance of starting to fishtail until I drop below about 50mph. But I've never had problems with them on the drives. Maverick uses all Michelin, and does not use recaps anywhere. But most people I talk to say they don't see a difference with drives but it can make a difference on the trailer depending on the conditions.

    I know if I was an O/O I wouldn't run singles because they're insanely expensive. Had to have one of mine replaced recently at a cost of over $1300 plus labor. Thank God it's a company truck :)
     
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  10. jet460

    jet460 Heavy Load Member

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    Modesto, Ca
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    I did a LOT of 1-70 CO and I-80 WY, NE, IA this winter, with light loads, and it was a nightmare. My singles have a very tight tread design, and they just go right over snow and ice, instead of digging through it. I rarely felt connected to the road, and other trucks were flying past me no problem. If I can hit the gas at 30mph and just spin the tires at will, something is wrong IMO. I have heard they are used for fuel economy, but my FL gets 5.4 max anyway, so....
     
  11. 379exhd

    379exhd Road Train Member

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    This is the exact reason I WONT run singles. Granted they usually shut i80 down here in NE if there's over about 4" of snow and I'm sure the guys that run singles will say if the interstate is shut down its too dangerous to run however that's an excuse. I have seen plenty of trucks with duals on highways when the interstate is shut down to keep moving. Never seen a truck with singles do that. I know some people swear by them...I know they look "cool" and they're actually cheaper than the next duals I plan on buying...but I'll be laughing all the way to the bank when one of them singles blows out and the guys sitting on the road with a $2000 service call bill for a tire and a rim not to mention the time. I can throw a rock and hit a dual rim don't think you can do that with a single and they almost always take out the rim too.
     
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