Semi Truck Tires

[NewToy]

I've been seeing more and more tractor trailers with the dual wheels replaced by one big fat tire. Anyone know what the pro's/con's of this setup would be? I see a big disadvantage with not being able to limp off the road on the remaining tire on a dual tire setup.

John

 

[RobS]

I saw an article in a trade magazine about a truck setup by Walmart for fuel economy. It had the singles which they called "super singles". Lots of other aerodynamic stuff and probably some engine mods. My take from that article is that the new tire setup improves mileage.

Initially, I would think it's for lighter loads but I've seen gravel trailers in/out of our local concrete plant with the same. I would think they would be carrying a heavy load?

 

[JJT]

A big problem with duals is the inside tire often runs under inflated, it's a pain to check and add air. The single wheel/tire eliminates that problem.

 

[dubba]

As far as limping off the road with one flat on duals, that would be illegal. Will you get a ticket? Probably not.

Super singles are primarily for weight savings. An average triaxle dump can save as much as 3200lbs by switching to singles. As far as gas mileage, they do improve mileage 5-8%, but other tires are available for duals that average similar results.

Fed-Ex recently took delivery of new converter dollies for use in their freight division equipped with super singles. Goodyear supposedly is warrantying the tires for 1 million miles with road service included.

Time will tell if Super singles become the norm, One disadvantage is the track of the unit is narrowed with the singles.

 

[NewToy]

I was at a FedEx Gound facility the other day and I saw some dollies equipped with the single tires. They sure looked strange next to the other conventional dual setups.

John

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Better fuel economy has taken over for the ORIGINAL reason why. Those tires are rated for a higher weight capacity than most duals. They never really took hold until fuel prices shot through the proverbial roof. Until recently, about the only place you'd see 'em was on front axles of heavy haulers like ready mix concrete trucks and dump trucks. A couple local gas/fuel delivery truck lines here in Kentucky are starting to run them on tractor trailer rigs. If there's even a remote chance of saving fuel, look for them to grow in popularity.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Anyone who has ever pulled doubles knows that the converter or "Jiffster" can be a bear on occasion. The first time I grabbed a jiff with super singles, it almost ran over me when I yanked on it. One can hardly believe how easy the singles are to manuever around by hand.

The tracking was similar to duals. It takes some time to get used to not being able to see the tires in the mirrors.

I run to Toronto on occasion where I seem to see alot more super single applications than I do here in PA. It is not unusual to see supers on all axles except the steering axle and if you happen to be familiar with Canada, there can be alot of axles.

Don't the supers have an inner tire or something similar to those runflat tires? Have to look that one up I guess.

 

[Boomerang1]

We tried them and we did not get good traction on muddy, wet or snowy roads. Also they did not wear as even as we thought they should. They do give the tractor less unsprung weight which "should" give better fuel economy. We didn't notice a difference. Pain in the @&# when you get a flat and destroy a very expensive wheel and find out most tire shops don't stock the tires, let alone the wheels. In my opinion. they are not worth the 100 mile tow bills and the down time.