Pro's and Con's of Super Singles

i have several thousand miles experience with extra-wides. And, by the way the correct term is Extra-wides, not "super singles." Super singles are used on the front/steer axle on construction-type vehicles---cement trucks, logging and dump trucks.

i think they ride much smoother than traditional duals although they are a bit "squirmier." This takes a little getting used to, but i feel it's worth it. i mean some gm cars in 60/70's had a floaty ride, but once you got used to it, it was cool.

If i had my own truck, i would insist on extra-wides only on the truck.

As far as blowouts, as stated by others, any tire can blowout. If it is in a tandem position----tractor drives or trailer tandems i don't see what the big deal is.

If it's in a single position----like converter dolly like some companies use, then i would be concerned even though blowouts in general are rare.

 

I had a company truck with super's through the winter of '06, and I felt that they did fine in snow (NOTHING but chains or studs help on ice, imho). The ONLY traction problem that I ever noticed was in mud at a chip mill. Due to a lack of side tread, they don't "grab" like regular duals.

That being said, I got to try some Conti singles down near Uvalde, Texas - they did GREAT in the mud, due to a more aggressive side-tread; but, they were noiser on the road.

I was teaming, and LOVE super's for that purpose, as they are quieter and smoother when you're asleep in the bunk!

 

It would be nice if they were smart and gave you rims with the first purchase. Kinda like cheap printers since the ink is expensive.

 

We have Michelin X Super Singles on all our company trucks and many of the trailers.
No upper management likes then do the the $'s saved in fuel, and weight, that is true as advertised.
No summer time on concrete highways, and well maintained asphalt highways, didn't notice much difference from duals. Where I have issues was in the winter, I felt they tended to get up on top of the snow, much like big snow shoes, where duals seemed to bite down through to the pavement. Also when driving say across NM or AZ, where the are actual tracks or indentations in the asphalt from trucks, the super singles do not follow those tracks, as they are set a bit farther inboard on the axles, so your always fight to stay in the groves. That tends to be bothersome to me. Seems that more and more places are carrying the super singles, so roadside repairs are not as bad as when they first came out. Just my thoughts on em.

 

Never noticed the "ruts" problem, but it would still pay to carry a spare when running them. One other thing - while they look good and wide, you actually lose 1 1/2" over duals!

 

The Bulk company Im with bought new trailers 2 years ago all with super singles, they have all been changed out to duals.

If you loose a tire on the highway you normally use the wheel also, if not a very least your truck is down till the serivice truck gets there, no nursing it slow to the next truck stop. You can easily buy 2 dual type tires for about the same amount of a single.

They are lighter, thats the only advantage. More of a pain than there worth unless you like really keeping on top of replacing tires. I would give them thumbs down

 

yep, but thats peanuts compared to what you'll save in fuel mileage over duals.

You buy fuel every week, you only have a blowout once every few years (if that)

 

I can tell you have no experience with super singles. They do not increase your fuel mileage at all. there one and only plus is weight, thats it.

 

Not true at all. It varies some from brand to brand, but the lower weight and rolling resistance of super singles will improve fuel mileage by as much as 8%. Do some research, there's been quite a few studies done on them lately.

 

Should check out Michelin's web site and read the tests and reviews on the X one, hard to dispute the savings and testimonials. I know that the company that I work for was one of the first to test the X ones, and guarentee that if there was not savings in $$$'s they would not have gone to the expense of equipping the entire fleet with them. When you spread even the smallest of savings over a large fleet, or over a large amount of time, it adds up.