Super Singles

That math only works for the sake of this internet argument. IMO if your only buying them for fuel savings you might be disappointed. They work well in the right application, most trucks will see no benefit if their entire truck/trailer is 300# lighter. Where we use them is on grain trucks that load either on scales or their empty weights are entered into a computer and the loads are weighed before they're dumped into the trailers. (same system they use to load rail cars). They routinely leave within 80# of 80,000 gross, not many OTR trucks do that daily. Another thing I don't like about them is their load limits. Most are rated for 10,500# each, which doesn't work when I've got 52k+ on the spread in July, again they're fine in the right application. Another draw back is tire damage. I'm not talking about a blowout, that rarely happens to people with good maintaince. I'm talking about sidewall damage. I've got a good tire in my shop now with a chunk taken out of the side, don't know how or where it happened but I was able to change ONE $500 dual vs buying a whole new $1000+ SS. I can now send this one in and have the tire repaired and use it on a lift axle.

Again I'm not knocking SS, I just feel before someone takes the financial hit they should be doing it for more than fuel alone. Oh and when the roads are slick, guess which trucks don't leave the barn......

 

I run the north part of the country regularily - including winter months. I've had no problems loosing traction or breaking loose in curves. Haven't gotten stuck in snow either.

 

No, I don't run them for fuel economy alone... by utilizing WB tires, it offsets the weight of my apu which allows me to scale 47,000 with a stepdeck. I know guys that can't scale 43,000... It allows me to haul freight that I normally wouldn't be able to in areas that a lot of guys don't go.

So yes, 100 lbs here and 400 lbs there can make the difference of getting that $3500 load or not

 

Well I backed one out of the barn last winter just to unhook the trailer. Not only could I not get out from under the trailer I couldn't pull it back inside. Did the same thing with one with duals, no problem.

The way your using them they work. If I was to put them on my trucks that haul coils it wouldn't make any difference. 95% of the loads they haul have overweight permits. Losing 300# wouldn't make any difference since I can't add another coil. And the few times I've been a few hundred over my permit I just lift up on the truck door to get out of the mill.

 

Winter before last, St. Albans VT - snowed nearly 3' in 24 hours. Lots of folks with duals stuck in the snow, or jack knifed. Got there with no problems, slight incline to the dock. The guys with duals were chaining up to get in. Backed mine with the wide singles right in - Michelin XDA Energys.

I haven't had a bit of problem with mine. Go figure.

 

The trucks I have with them are light and I think that's part of the problem. W900 Daycab with 43' 80" side hopper weighs 21,900#. My W9 daycab with a 50' 4 axle conestoga is 35,000 with duals.

I have seen several trucks with X1's pull into a snow packed lot loaded and the warm tires melted in the snow and they were stuck right beside my truck with duals. My dad and uncle drive the trucks with the SS and they hate them on slick roads, especially the W9 with the dead axle.

 

I think it boils back down to your operation and vehicle. Wide singles are not suitable for all operations, yet many will benefit from them. For someone to say that categorically the tires are unsafe is being short-sighted.

 

I agree totally. I laugh at the "if you have a blowout your stranded" BS Especially when I was sitting on the side of the road waiting on a steer tire to replace the one that was less than 2 months old.

 

Finally someone else that reiterates what I've been saying... You use what will benefit you for your type of operation

 

When I went to super singles last November I installed tire pressure and temperture sensors on all tires on my tractor that are well worth the money. They have already saved me a SS tire due to a leaking valve stem.

I highly recommend and use TST tire sensor system: http://www.tsttruck.com/Home_Page.html



Note: Get the repeater to boost signal that my Real Wheels stainless steel wheel covers interupted the signal and needed boosting.



Tire sensors are great to have no matter if you have SSs or duals. One road service call would pay for the system.