?Single-Axels?

Singles will make a man out of you; like when you're headed home with empty doubles, and you didn't beat the snow. . .
I've got a nice single axle freight, it was cheap, and is nice. they don't typically have the power that the twin trucks have due to their typical use, but mine gets 8+ mpg with (1) 32' OR 28' TRLR if i'm not too overweight. . . . .

 

I'm thinking the ride might be a little rougher.

 

yeah, empty they ride rough as can be. Atleast mine does anyway. . . But, loaded it rides good, and if you dont need the extra axle, and length there's no sense in having it. Also, my single axle can turn around on a dime. Especially with a pup . . . .

 

What's the fuel mileage difference between a single and tandums?

Roughly....

Is it significant enough to opt for the single if that's an option?

 

Singles are only good for hauling light products like corrugated cardboard , foam , or furniture or pulling double pups . You'd lose more in payload capacity than you'd save in fuel trying to haul general freight . If drives get overloaded on a tandem think how easily a single axle drive would be overloaded .

 

I'm hauling 15,000 on a dedicated route. 48' van.

 

Yeah , no need for a tandem on that . Besides burning extra fuel a tandem is using up more tires and brakes . I ran a single axle for 5 years running corrugated cardboard in east coast states . Mileage depends on the trucks . We leased some Volvos from Rollins that only got 5.5 mpg . Other branches leased Fords that got over 8 mpg . I know a lot of it is determined more by engine and gearing than truck brand .