Super Singles Vs Conventional Rear Duals

Seeing a lot of trucks now running so called "Super Single" rear tire configurations..what, if any opinion do you guys have of them?

I've yet to hear the first advantage to having them from a driver's perspective. It seems more dangerous not having a "backup tire" on one side of an axle if a tire blows, and by all accounts they're not nearly as good on slick roads. It simply seems to be a cost savings for the companies as far as I can tell.

I've never driven a truck with em so I can't say from personal experience as far as handling goes. But I've yet to hear anything good about em from any drivers.

I am a total rookie (6 mo.) with no experience with duals only the super singles. Our company uses them on all of their tractors and trailers. When one goes, I am told, you know it. Because of their larger surface area they are more prone to hydroplaning. I have not experienced that even in heavy rain since I am a) super cautious due to being a rookie and b)we are governed at 59/60 which decreases the risk a bit. The company is big into efficiency and I was under the impression that they save fuel do to less drag with less turbulent air than the gap between the duals. Makes sense from an aerodynamic sense, but I just drive what they put on them. ; )

I had singles in the first truck I had as an Independent Contractor pulling tankers. Never had a problem with any hydroplaning or slick snowy or wet roads. But I do know that when they blow you will know it. The only place you can really go is the side of the road because there's no other tire next to it to help you limp to a tire facility.

Haven't driven with them, but they look ugly as hell.. I've seen a few swift trucks with them. that service area on the bottom would have to be annoying when raining or snowing.

Haven't driven with them, but they look ugly as hell.. I've seen a few swift trucks with them. that service area on the bottom would have to be annoying when raining or snowing.

You say that as if tires are pretty lol

Haven't driven with them, but they look ugly as hell.. I've seen a few swift trucks with them. that service area on the bottom would have to be annoying when raining or snowing.

You say that as if tires are pretty lol

some tires are pretty.. if they are on the right vehicle... Old classic with white walls. BEAUTIFUL..

Of the trucks I have driven so far with Prime, 4 of the 5 have/had super singles. I could not tell any difference between them from a driving stand point.

I will tell you this, when I was up in Wyoming during a snow storm, one of the trucks ahead of the bunch of us was holding up everyone (did not look to see if he was running duals or super singles), I had super singles on the truck I was driving. Finally got tired of having to slow down to 25 at every little hill we encountered, so I eased out into the left lane and passed him (the roads were not nearly as bad as the driver was making it out to be). The one thing I noticed about the super singles was that I did not sink into the blowing/drifting snow with the tractor like the trailer seemed to do (it had duals). I went by him, the next thing I know the others were doing the same thing (passing this clown).

Don't get me wrong, he was drving what he considered a safe speed for him. The point to all of this is super singles do help with fuel mileage, and seem to do pretty well on snow/ice. But you as the driver still have to use your judgement as to is it safe to drive in the conditions you are encountering. What is safe for me may not be for you.

Just my input into the discussion.

Ernie

PS,

Brett, one thing I am noticing about this new forum, it does not show the previous comment you are responding to (I for one find that helpful at times).

The one thing I noticed about the super singles was that I did not sink into the blowing/drifting snow with the tractor like the trailer seemed to do (it had duals).

What's interesting about that is you want tires to dig into the snow and puddled water. You don't want them riding on top of the snow or water - that's when you'll break loose. Narrower tires tend to have better grip on slick roads (snow and water) because you're putting more force per square inch on the surface and that causes them to "dig in" basically. The narrower tires tend to "cut through" snow drifts and puddles instead of riding on top.

Brett, one thing I am noticing about this new forum, it does not show the previous comment you are responding to (I for one find that helpful at times).

The feature to "jump to the lastest reply" is a bit of a compromise. It will take you straight to the latest reply which may be the first reply on the page it's on so you might have to go to the previous page to see the previous comment.

I've had a lot of comments about this feature and the current implementation is the best compromise I've found so far. I've tried a couple of different things but no matter how we do it there's going to be some scrolling or going back to a previous page sometimes. I could send everyone to the last read comment instead of the first unread comment if that sounds like a good idea to people. I'm open to suggestions.

I had a Super Single MELT on me I75 Jasper, FL. Spent 9 hours roadside waiting on a fix cause when one tire gors you cant go anywhere. Blow a dual your rolling to the next truck stop. Give me Duals anyday!