Tires and Fuel

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by TruckerDragon, Sep 25, 2010.

  1. TruckerDragon

    TruckerDragon Heavy Load Member

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    Feb 18, 2010
    Westminster, Co
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    What do you all do for better fuel economy? I was out and about today and saw a J and decieded to stop for a steak and saw somthing I never really noticed before (Not saying they are NEW just I never noticed) That the rears and trailer tires on this o/o rig were singular. One big fatty tire. So, curious I looked up at the cab and the guy was in there doing his books, I knocked, and politely asked about the tires, mentioning I was working on getting into trucking myself, he explaned he got somthing like .2mgp more using them.

    Now, my questions :

    1)WTF are those tires and do any of yall use them?
    2)What else do you do to increase your fuel economy?
     
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  3. Bigray

    Bigray Road Train Member

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    Tampa, Florida
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    flow thru mufflers

    air filters by fleet

    custom ecm prog.

    low rolling resistance tires

    trl. skirts

    progressive shifting

    just to mention some things.
     
    RAG Thanks this.
  4. Krooser

    Krooser Road Train Member

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    Wisconsin
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    They are called wide base tires... Michelin calls'em X-One's... they are lighter and can save over 1,000 lbs. if used on all positions.
     
  5. TruckerDragon

    TruckerDragon Heavy Load Member

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    Feb 18, 2010
    Westminster, Co
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    So whats the pros and cons? Obviously lighter truck = Less fuel but anything else? Why dont more people use them?
     
  6. shriner75

    shriner75 Heavy Load Member

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    Minnesota, dontcha know...
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    those superwides can be a pain in the pocket also. KNow a driver pulling a hopper wagon and on of them blew on him. Before he noticed anything it was too late the rim was shot and it would cost him a couple G's to get it all fixed. My boss was considering it with our equipment but after hearing that he said he will stick to the reg. ol doubles. I also heard it's a bit more different driving with them on. Take some getting used to. Is that true anybody?
     
  7. ky wildcat 4ever

    ky wildcat 4ever Heavy Load Member

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    Apr 22, 2009
    Somerset KY
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    The tires are ok but dont think I would run them it just dont seem cost efficent enough for me
     
  8. Emulsified

    Emulsified Road Train Member

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    May 6, 2010
    Dallas, TX
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    Our company is ordering all their new trucks with Super Singles. Improved rolling resistance, better mileage. I haven't heard any complaints from the drivers that have them.
     
  9. Capt_Gruuvy

    Capt_Gruuvy Light Load Member

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    Jul 29, 2010
    Middle of the Desert
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    They look great.

    I got passed last night by a black Peterbuilt pulling a matching soft-sided box as I was creapin' through the Siskiyous. He smoked passed me like it was no big deal. His kit was polished and very sharp.

    I am not certain of the mileage gain, but they dress up every kit they are on. That's enough if you got the cash.
     
  10. REDD

    REDD The Legend

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    Dueling Banjoville
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    Hey Shriner... With all due respect, I'm gonna have to call this one a truckers stories. You should of started it with "Ya'll ain't gonna believe this!"

    When those tires blow, it sounds like a shot gun going off in your ears. Any driver who doesn't know they blow a tire... Ecpecially a super single needs to have their ears checked.

    My experience with super singles expands from June of 2006 to March of 2009.... Nearly 3 years! They ride just the same as ol' duals. Snow, ice, & rain! I noticed no difference.

    Virgin tires, if taken care of won't blow. I had well over 300,000 miles on my virgins when the company took them off (tread depth hit 3/32). They replaced them with re-capped super singles... AVOID RE-CAPPS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE..... INCLUDING THE SUPER SINGLE RE-CAPPS.

    Re-capped super singles blow much quicker then a conventional super single. Within a month after getting caps, I had virgins put back on that truck.

    Why do I not run singles now? Because this truck had brand new tires on it when I bought it. It would be a waste to toss those tires & buy new wheels & tires. But trust me when I say this.... Just as soon as I wore the life out of these ol' duals, I'm putting super singles on this truck.
     
    shriner75 Thanks this.
  11. TruckerDragon

    TruckerDragon Heavy Load Member

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    Feb 18, 2010
    Westminster, Co
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    What kinda increase did you notice if any in fuels?

    And whats the price diff for one single v. 2 regular?
     
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