Super Singles

[mchero]

Anybody running super singles on their class A???

For those of you unfamiliar with super singles they are a single WIDE tire/rim that replaces the duals on the rear axle(s) seen on some of the trucks on our highways.
They are very efficient BUT if you have a blowout your unable to limp to a station.

[TDInewguy]

mchero wrote:
Thanks. What was the cost for the rear axle?

Rims - $550 each

Tires (thru FMCA program) - $840 each

As a comparison the replacement XRV tires were around $750 each.

[mchero]

Thanks. What was the cost for the rear axle?

[TDInewguy]

So I just got off the road from the first 15 mile drive...

Very very smooooooooth ride and quiet. (I would guess that is to be expected with new tires and balanced brake drums and tires.)

The acceleration and braking seem more effortless now where it used to feel a bit more sluggish.

as for Fuel economy - that was a rough test only using the DIC and it is reading higher, but my trip to Texas this weekend will be a better overall judge of fuel consumption.

[Mr_Mark1]

SSSStefan, very nice!

MM.

[TDInewguy]

Here are a few photos to enjoy...

This is my coach



Here is the 14" wide rim and one with a tire on it...



Here are the rear and front tires I am putting on.



Here is my new Centrifuse lightweight brake drums...

[slickest1]

On a recent road trip I seen many trucks and trailers equipped with super singles. They are becoming more popular in the trucking industry.
I personally would not put them on a motorhome. I too have many miles rving and never had a flat other than a screw in a tire.
Like I said before if you ever had a flat on the rear at 60 mph it could be quite a ride. Without the other dual to keep that corner up and the lack of clearance on a motorhome the damage could be major. There may be many advantages to super singles and it a choice like everything else.

[Mr_Mark1]

Bill, he would not be able to make it on a flat super single but the chances of him having a flat is pretty rare as it is for all of us. In 110,000 miles of RVing over 10 years, so far, we've never had a flat. (knock on wood).

I keep close attention to my tires and condition.

Safe travels,
MM.

[Bill_Satellite]

8 percent decrease in rolling resistance equals what? It does not equal an 8% reduction in fuel usage and it does not mean that you saved 8% on your fuel costs. You might save some fuel, but what happens if your one and only tire goes flat in the middle of nowhere? I had an inside dual go flat but I was able to limp to a town some 40 miles away without any damage to my coach. Would you be able to say the same?

[T18skyguy]

mchero wrote:

rk911 wrote:

mchero wrote:
Anybody running super singles on their class A???

For those of you unfamiliar with super singles they are a single WIDE tire/rim that replaces the duals on the rear axle(s) seen on some of the trucks on our highways.
The are very efficient BUT if you have a blowout your unable to limp to a station.

first i've heard of them. what's the advantage?

Very fuel efficient. My brother knows a guy that has 2 identical trucks, one has the super singles and has been getting MUCH better mileage than the truck with standard duals.

They have an 8 percent decrease in rolling resistance compared to duals and thus save fuel.

[Groover]

TDInewguy wrote:
Today I just installed 4 new Michelin tires on my Newmar Allstar!

Line Energy Z in a 275/80/22.5 for the fronts (in place of the 305/70/22.5 that was on there)

I changed this due to overall availability and lower weight and rolling resistance... the 305's are hard to find and the 275's are readily available... with the load range H it has enough weight capacity for me.

On the rear I got 445/50/22.5 Michelin Multi Energy T tires with 14" wide Alcoa lightweight rims. The overall weight savings on just the rear axle is around 350lbs! That is a TON when you think about it being unsprung weight.

So I have not yet driven it, but I am excited to early next week and report back on the performance.

Per Michelin's calculations I should see about a 7% increase in fuel economy due to these changes. I will take notes and report back on that too.

So for those worried about getting a flat and tire availability - I chose tires that the trucking companies use daily and are generally in stock across the country. A good friend has the same coach as me and it took a long time to get a 305/70 XRV.

Cheers!

I will be looking forward to your reports.

[hanko]

mchero wrote:

slickest1 wrote:
Good luck when you blow one of them on your coach. I have run them on the front of gravel and mixer trucks ans would never consider it on my coach. I ran them on steer axles and in slippery conditions they were terrible and on the rear I can't see them being much better.

I think your a tad confused Slickest1

You run them on drive axles, not steer axles as you just stated above!

Also clearly stated in my post above that you Can't limp down the road if you have a blowout. Not looking for any luck.

LOL

no, you are confused, they are quite common on mixer truck, which the front axel drives. heavy gravel haulers also run them on steering

[TDInewguy]

Today I just installed 4 new Michelin tires on my Newmar Allstar!

Line Energy Z in a 275/80/22.5 for the fronts (in place of the 305/70/22.5 that was on there)

I changed this due to overall availability and lower weight and rolling resistance... the 305's are hard to find and the 275's are readily available... with the load range H it has enough weight capacity for me.

On the rear I got 445/50/22.5 Michelin Multi Energy T tires with 14" wide Alcoa lightweight rims. The overall weight savings on just the rear axle is around 350lbs! That is a TON when you think about it being unsprung weight.

So I have not yet driven it, but I am excited to early next week and report back on the performance.

Per Michelin's calculations I should see about a 7% increase in fuel economy due to these changes. I will take notes and report back on that too.

So for those worried about getting a flat and tire availability - I chose tires that the trucking companies use daily and are generally in stock across the country. A good friend has the same coach as me and it took a long time to get a 305/70 XRV.

Cheers!

[DSDP_Don]

I think the nerve was yours, witnessed by pages of you arguing!

[mchero]

Wow Don! Sorry if I touched a nerve.
Have a nice day.

LOL

[DSDP_Don]

"mchero"......If you want super singles, buy them! You've spent this entire thread chewing out people who didn't agree with your attempt to justify the purchase of them in your mind.

If they were all that great, there would be more than just a few RV's using them. Even worse is the attempt by the ONE owner to justify why he wasted his money. He would have been the smartest guy around if they had become popular and he got his at a low price, before they went up, but they didn't become popular.

There is ABSOLUTELY no value running them on an RV.....a point that is pretty hard to argue, but I'm sure some will try, at least two on here!