Pro's and Con's of Super Singles

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Blackducati750, May 29, 2009.

  1. Blackducati750

    Blackducati750 Light Load Member

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    Mar 11, 2009
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    Like the title says. What are the Pro's and Con's of Super Singles?

    I'm thinking of buying my own truck, and the local dealer has a sweet deal on a brand new 2008 leftover.
    But, it already has Super Single drive tires. I would think in the event of a tire blow out, it would be good to still have a good tire holding that side of the axle up, but others have said, "Super Singles never blow out."

    Please tell me all you know.
    Thanks to all who reply!
     
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  3. JW430

    JW430 Medium Load Member

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    I think if you go on to youtube, TruckerSteve might have something to say about that blowout issue with his Cascadia. Otherwise they save on weight and overall tire wear considering there are four less tires ;)
     
  4. TripleSix

    TripleSix God of Roads

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    "Super Singles never blow out."

    And Titanics never sink.
     
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  5. Blackducati750

    Blackducati750 Light Load Member

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    So, regardless of how good the deal was. Would you pass on buying a new truck that already had Super Singles installed?
     
  6. PAJ1979

    PAJ1979 Light Load Member

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    Southern Illinois
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    Any tire can blow, but you can eliminate most of the reasons a tire blows with a bit of maintenance. Most blowouts are due to under inflation or overloading. Avoid either of those, and your chances of blowing a tire is way down.


    Super singles have much lower rolling resistance and better handling characteristics. Fuel mileage will improve, truck stability and handling will improve.

    on the downside, it can be tougher to find a replacement when on the road. Many small tire shops and service trucks just dont carry them yet. Carrying your own would solve that.
     
  7. Rat Fink

    Rat Fink Light Load Member

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    Nov 18, 2008
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    I've got super singles on my truck. It handled pretty decent this past winter pulling a skateboard. The tires seem to wear really decent too. Its hard to compare if they are better or worse for traction without having an identical truck (loaded the same, etc.) to drive back to back with this one to see which is better. I drove in some pretty nasty weather and never even touched a set of chains.

    The only traction issues I had with my truck this past winter were due to it not having full-locking differentials. I got into some soft ground and almost got stuck a couple times, thats it.

    The other drivers in my company seem to think they are decent too. I also talked to a Maverick guy about his and he loved them.

    I noticed my truck doesn't like to follow ruts too nice at times. If the ruts are shaped to duals, the super singles sometimes like to drift around on them until they find a happy medium.
     
  8. Ohnoo

    Ohnoo Light Load Member

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    Super singles weigh less then a set of duel's less rubber and rim metal so improved fuel mileage. But they also get less traction on snow and ice (bad imo). And I wouldn't bet the farm on them not blowing has I know Ive seen them blown out on dirt trailers before.

    A cousin of mine owned a water truck and he said that singles did better for him off road. He ran it with duels for about 3 years and then switched over for reasons that I forget off hand. Id be interested in hearing from anyone who's had experiences like that.
     
  9. DrivingMyLifeAway

    DrivingMyLifeAway "Looking for a better day"

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    I've pulled a few company trailers with super singles. For wavy, dual tire ruts in the road super singles ride smoothly over the dual tire impressions in the road. Super singles don't wander like duals looking for a place to settle into.

    As far as blowouts, I've seen video where the manufacturer placed a dynamite charge to blow out a super single tire. The super single tire just deflated and sat right down onto the road with no loss in control or fish tailing in the trailer.
     
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  10. 112racing

    112racing Road Train Member

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    plan on a $1000 dollar road call if you blow one out on the road
     
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  11. 48Packard

    48Packard Ol' Two-stop Shag!

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    I've got 'em on the company truck I drive, and I didn't notice any appreciable difference in handling or traction this past winter.

    I will, however, second the comment that they like to "wander" on badly rutted roads. Overall, I'd prefer the duals, but only by a little.
     
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