Super single tires on tractor

@NorthernMechanic yes changing a truck/trailer that OEM with either setup to the alternative can change width. I'm not suggesting changing the setup because I'm not a mechanic. I'm suggesting that I wouldn't change or sell equipment to run SS. In my experience SS can be difficult to manage and not worth any perceived advantage.

 

That's what I thought. Every time I see a truck with singles the hubs look like they are almost flush with the outside wall of the tire, rather than set in.

 

The only way that I have found that singles truly come into their own league is when it is done as part of a factory order. Then you can spec the desired axle length, type, etc. I have had great results with singles on mine, but I ordered intermediate Meritor 14x drive axles with 0" offset wheels and full lockers in both drive axles. I stay up north all winter and never have any issues with singles in snow and ice. I got 447,000 out of my last set, with 8-9/32nd tread left, and I got $180 each for the old ones.

I never recommend anyone switch out a dual tire setup to singles. Just not worth the cost. There are some really great low rolling resistant standard tires that do almost as well as singles. Cost is equivalent. I did new steers and new singles on my truck recently. I got $1020 for all the old tires from my dealer, and all the new tires came to $5260, so with what I got out of the old tires, the total net cost was $4240. That was for 4 Michelin Xones and 2 Michelin XZA3+ steers.

With the 0" offset wheels, my hubs are pretty close to flush with the outside of the wheel, but with the intermediate length axle, the stance is only slightly narrower than a standard axle with duals. But it is not so wide, that I couldn't go back to duals if I wanted to. But the width would be a full 102" instead of the standard 96" width of duals on a standard axle.

 

If chasing fuel mileage , you have to check the R/R numbers. There are S/S tires with high R/R numbers. You could spend all that cash , and get worse mileage.

 

Indeed. There are some lousy SS and some darn good regular tires when it comes to RR.

 

As always buyer beware !