Single wide tires in place of duals

bryanhes · November 11, 2009, 08:26:36 AM

I did not want to post this in with the Allison question.

I have noticed several trucks running a single large tire in place of duals on the tractor and trailer. I am guessing there is a savings in tire cost for them to do this but would think there would be less stability because of the loss of meat on the road.

Has anyone run these on a bus? I would imagine the stability might be worse on a bus. I am not thinking of doing this it is just a question.

Thanks,
Bryan

Jeremy · November 11, 2009, 09:37:37 AM

Someone posted this link in another thread quite recently:

http://www.michelintruck.com/michelintruck/toolbox/videos-demos.jsp

Lots of videos aiming to prove that buses and trucks with single rear wheels are just as safe as those with duals

Jeremy

BG6 · November 11, 2009, 11:15:24 AM

Super-single tires are a great thing for tractors and trailers, but there are two considerations.

First, if you have a flat on a tire, you only have that one tire -- you can't slow-roll to the tire shop, and it's hard to carry a spare, so you are DOWN until you find a shop that has a super-single in stock.

Second, you can't swap between steers and rears, unless you like the Big Daddy Roth look on your coach.

bryanhes · November 11, 2009, 11:22:37 AM

BG6,

That makes sense and is kind of what I was thinking. I like th Big Daddy Roth comment though

Bryan

buswarrior · November 11, 2009, 12:46:55 PM

Pretty much the only thing holding back the new Super Singles is discriminatory weight regulations in a number of jurisdictions, and the number keeps dropping.

Truckers won't buy in until they can use them in all their applications without penalty.

Once they are allowed on a par with duals, they will be everywhere.

Rolling resistance is greatly reduced with a single, meaning fuel economy gains, and those who run them will tell you they are unnoticeable from the driver's seat.

Remember why we even have duals, the tire manufacturers couldn't figure out how to build one tire strong enough, until now...

happy coaching!
buswarrior

rusty · November 11, 2009, 01:49:56 PM

I am putting 4 of them on my 15.
Good luck Wayne

centrix29 · November 11, 2009, 05:11:38 PM

What about our Canadian winters? I've heard that Supersingles are not as good as duals for traction.

What do you think?

Pat

buswarrior · November 11, 2009, 06:10:14 PM

Nope, haven't heard that.

Remember, there is a mighty negative attitude towards these wide base tires from the uninformed masses.

You can be sure if there was some aspect that doesn't measure up, the manufacturers don't want to have the industry find out for ourselves... lots at stake moving forward from here.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

bevans6 · November 11, 2009, 06:22:16 PM

I saw a lot of super singles over in England, they seemed pretty popular. Hard to notice if any were on buses, though.

Brian

belfert · November 11, 2009, 06:33:48 PM

Quote from: centrix29 on November 11, 2009, 05:11:38 PM
What about our Canadian winters? I've heard that Supersingles are not as good as duals for traction.

I have had both dually and single wheel pickups. The duallies sucked in the winter because they had half the pounds per square inch on the tire contact area.

The only way I could see a super single being worse in the winter is if it has a larger contact area than duals.

John316 · November 11, 2009, 06:45:40 PM

Wayne,

This whole thread was worth it just to see the pics of your bus project. That is INCREDIBLE! I stand in awe. I would love to see more pics of it. We were disappointed that we couldn't stop and see it in person. Maybe someday.

God bless,

John

David Anderson · November 11, 2009, 07:10:32 PM

Quote from: rusty on November 11, 2009, 01:49:56 PM
I am putting 4 of them on my 15.
Good luck Wayne

Wow, Rusty,
If that is a current picture you have about 3-4 years worth of work ahead of you. It kind of nauseates me to see that and remember my coach when I had it all tore down and welding on my frame.

David

luvrbus · November 11, 2009, 07:18:13 PM

You can order the super single on the drives on a Prevost with the wider on the front and tag not quite as wide as the super single.
Sorry I forgot the number of the front and tag tires
But I do know what 2 of the supers and 4 of the others cost LOL and my H-41 Prevost with air bags was a bear to drive in the rain and wind but I think Wayne is going to run regular steer tires on the front of his
John
Wayne amazes me too with the work he does he is making that Eagle 102 wide from bumper to bumper that will be the only new model 15 around.

good luck

rusty · November 11, 2009, 07:37:19 PM

Thank You When I was pricing the tires One supersingle was just a little less than two regular tires. The Rims were 500 a piece. I will wait to buy good tires untill I get closer to being finished. If you want to see more I have my projest on the Eagle web site. Go to http:/eaglesinternationals.net, Go to the forum then to Eagle projects my thread is under 1994 Eagle 15/45 by Wayne Schell.

Enjoy Wayne

niles500 · November 12, 2009, 12:12:41 AM

Wayne ..... one word ..... AWESOME ....