Those New Fat Tires?
Topic 5305 | Page 1
I don't know much about them but I haven't heard anyone comment on how great they are, either. Hopefully, someone with more experience will pipe in and tell us what he or she knows.
Great question.
-mountain girl
They are called Super Singles.... Lol fat new tires... I have never driven them but there are those that love them. If you have a flat you ain't going no where. At least with duel tires I can take it slow and limp down to a truck stop though driving with a flat tire is illegal.
Super Singles:
A single, wide wheel substituted for a tandem (two wheel) assembly. The main benefit of a super single is a reduction in weight and lower rolling resistance which provide better fuel economy. The disadvantage is the lack of tire redundancy (or a 'backup tire' in case of a blowout) from which tandem wheels benefit. A tire blowout is more dangerous with a super single and can not be driven on.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Eh, words cannot express how much I hate them. The advantages are that they save a small % in fuel costs and they're said to be lighter, 500lb per axle is what I've heard.
It seems they are much easier to get a flat on, and once you do you're stuck. I got a flat on a mountain in Eastern OR this winter and I had to sit there for almost 10 hours even though the truck stop was only 4 miles away. You simply cannot drive with a flat.
Another reason, loss of control when you get a flat! When you have a flat the entire weight of the trailer is on your other tire. It leans dangerously. You really better hope you have two hands on the wheel when it goes.
They are awful on snow/ice. Duels have more pressure per square inch than a super single so duel tires have the ability to puncture the ice to grip the pavement. Super singles just ride on top of the snow/ice which is the worst thing you can ask for.
The chains for them are bigger, as a result they weigh more. Just another hassle but not a deal breaker.
Most of the time when you get a flat your company wants to keep the tire so they tell you to put it in the tire rack that's under the trailer. I've done it multiple times, you have no idea how difficult it is to push that giant tire down your trailer and lift it onto the rack while you're on your knees. I can confidently say it weighs more than me.
They're extremely expensive. I remember having one replaced from a mobile shop and the bill came out to 1700$!
Honestly, I hate them with a fiery passion. I think they're the worst thing to happen to tires.
Super Singles:
A single, wide wheel substituted for a tandem (two wheel) assembly. The main benefit of a super single is a reduction in weight and lower rolling resistance which provide better fuel economy. The disadvantage is the lack of tire redundancy (or a 'backup tire' in case of a blowout) from which tandem wheels benefit. A tire blowout is more dangerous with a super single and can not be driven on.
By the way ...?
"Fat Tire" - a great local beer in Colorado
-mountain girl
I've never driven them but everything Daniel says are things I've heard many times over the years. I've never heard of one single advantage they pose for the driver. The advantage is in efficiency for the company. Personally I think they seem entirely too dangerous.
Maybe they'll be banned some day ...
-mountain girl
Hey having wide single tires worked for the flintstones, why not the trucking industry!
Thanks for the good info, I will try and avoid them!
Phil
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I assume they are better for fuel economy but are they really better at anything else? Seems like they would be less safe in a blow out compared to duals and I have heard they are poor in wet, snowy or icy conditions traction wise. Any info is appreciated good or bad.