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New 'Super Single' Truck Tires Revolutionize Industry

Posted on: Sunday, 1 January 2006, 12:00 CST

By Jeff DeMoss, Standard-Examiner, Ogden, Utah

Jan. 1--OGDEN -- Some of the tankers and freight trucks that deliver goods to Top of Utah consumers are rolling more efficiently these days, thanks to their tires.

A new design of extra-wide, single tires are replacing the dual sets that have been the norm throughout the trucking industry, turning 18-wheelers into 10-wheelers across the country.

Those in the industry say the new tires save fuel and weight, and roads safer for truck drivers and those around them.

"It has taken awhile to catch on, but this appears to be the future of the trucking industry," said David Creer, executive director of the Utah Trucking Association. "They've been tested in Utah for years, and they've really proven themselves so far."

The tires weigh nearly 200 pounds each, about twice the weight of a traditional tire, and cost about $1,250 apiece, double that of a traditional tire. However, the cost to outfit a rig is about the same, since only half as many tires are needed.

"Super single" tires have been around in some form for more than a decade, but the technology has advanced greatly in the last few years.

Originally used in mining and other operations with very heavy loads and relatively short driving distances, the tires are now catching on among long-haul freight drivers.

Ogden-based Flying J Inc. has been using the tires on its fuel tanker fleet for about three years, said Mike Baldwin, director of safety and maintenance for the company's transportation division. Of the company's nationwide fleet of 475 tanker trucks, about 400 of them now have the tires, Baldwin said.

"Our drivers have been very satisfied with them," he said. "They can feel the road much better, especially when they're pulling trailers."

Some of Flying J's tankers that travel on dirt roads to load up with crude oil still use dual tires, because the tread on the superwide singles gets chewed up on the rough surface, Baldwin said. But the company has switched almost entirely to the new tires on its trucks that don't leave the pavement.

The new tires have even influenced the design of Flying J's trailers, making them less prone to rollovers.

"Our manufacturer has been able to lower the center of gravity on our trailers to accommodate the tires," Baldwin said. "Safety is our top priority, and we've seen a substantial increase in vehicle stability as a result."

Joe Brewer, manager of J.W. Brewer Tire Co. on Wall Avenue in Ogden, said the tires are not yet readily available at Top of Utah stores, and only a handful of Utah dealers carry them.

"It's a fairly narrow and specific application where they work really well," he said. "They work best for freight companies that are hauling maximum weights all the time."

Switching to the single tires can take between 700 and 900 pounds off of a truck, a savings that frees up more weight in hauling capacity.

Tests have shown that the new tires result in fuel savings of between 4 percent and 10 percent on a typical tanker truck.

"The biggest factor in fuel economy is the driver behind the wheel," Baldwin said, "but these tires certainly help." He could not say how much fuel Flying J has saved as a result of switching to the new tires, since the company made several other upgrades to its fleet at the same time.

Fuel economy is a major issue for truckers, who have seen diesel prices spike to more than $3 per gallon in the past year. While gasoline has fallen back under $2 per gallon, diesel remains persistently expensive in Utah and the rest of the country.

The price of diesel in the Ogden-Salt Lake City area currently averages $2.41 per gallon, up from $2.05 a year ago, according to the American Automobile Association.

"With one tire instead of two, you don't have them fighting each other and reducing your mileage," Brewer said.

If properly used and rotated, the tires will also last longer than traditional models, Creer said.

They can also reduce wear and tear on paved roads. The wider surface contact area is larger, resulting in less pounds-per-square-inch pressure on the pavement.

Not everyone is sold on the new tires.

"It's pretty costly to change over," said Dan Perry, maintenance manager with Tramcor Trucking in Farr West. "We're considering putting them on some new trailers we have coming in, but as of now we don't have any plans to use them."

There could be a safety issue if one of the tires goes flat, Brewer said.

"With the dual sets, if one goes flat, you still have the other one," he said. "That's a potential concern with the singles." However, having one tire instead of two can simplify the required maintenance, he added.

Another disadvantage, one that will likely be cured in time, is that the tires may not be readily available in an emergency, Brewer said.

"If you have a problem with one, you could be out of luck for awhile," he said.

Still, anything that can help the trucking industry save money while improving safety and performance is welcome, Creer said.

"This is not a high margin industry, so every cent saved is positive," he said. "The more efficiently we can move freight, the better off consumers will be."

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Copyright (c) 2006, Standard-Examiner, Ogden, Utah

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Source: Standard-Examiner

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