What Are Super Single Tires? Pros & Cons Of Switching Out Your Duallies

We’re all familiar with dual tires on the rear axle of trucks, buses, and larger motorhomes. And you’ve probably heard of a “dually” pickup truck, which gets that nickname from the same double set of tires on each side of the drive axle. But what kind of tires are super singles, and how do they compare to a dual-tire setup? What are the pros and cons of using a single, larger tire in place of two? Let’s take a look and explore their best uses for RVers.

What Is a Super Single Tire?

A super single is a large, heavy-duty tire with a broad base that can replace a set of dual tires. It’s built to carry the same weight as two regular duals, replacing two tires with one. “One Big Tire” = “Super Single Tire.” Super singles have been around for over 20 years and are most commonly associated with farming equipment, construction equipment, long-haul trucks, and serious off-roaders.

Let’s explore what might make super singles a desirable alternative to dualies, along with potential drawbacks.

What Are the Advantages of Super Single Tires?

Let’s take a look at the benefits they have over duallies.

Less Weight

The single tire and one rim weigh less than the dual tires and two rims. So a significant benefit is that they reduce a vehicle’s weight. Replacing duals on steel wheels with super singles on aluminum wheels can save substantial weight (and weight savings are a good thing on RVs!).

Lower Maintenance Cost

Even though larger, replacement involves one tire instead of two. While each tire is more expensive, there are fewer of them. That also means there’s less labor involved in breaking down and remounting them (which, for the large vehicles these are often used on, can add up fast).

Higher Weight Ratings/Load Capacity

Super singles tend to have a higher weight rating, so they can support heavier loads. They also require lower pressure to support the same amount of weight, which can make the ride smoother on rough roads/terrain.

Better for Off-Roading

When taking a vehicle off-road, you need to be aware of the setup of your drive axle tires. With dualies, the narrow space between the two tires on each side of the axle means that rocks can get jammed in between them. This can lead to damage and/or a flat (most likely when you’re the farthest from help, LOL!). But, with a super single tire, this danger is eliminated.

Fewer Issues with Tire Pressure Monitoring

Using singles instead of dualies eliminates two tires from TPMS systems (fewer sensors needed). It also eliminates the need to access valve stems on inner duals, which can sometimes be tricky (and/or can involve the use of valve attachments/extensions that can be prone to leaks/breaking).

Potential for Better Fuel Economy

The reduced overall weight mentioned above means better fuel economy. And with two singles vs four duals, there’s often less rolling resistance, potentially creating an additional fuel economy benefit.

What Are the Disadvantages of Super Single Tires?

There are pros AND cons to every choice, and “singling out” your rig is no exception.

No Built-In Backup

With duals, in the event of a flat or a blow-out, the second tire can temporarily support the vehicle’s weight while you pull over in a safe spot to deal with the issue. With a single tire, however, there’s no such backup… and (even worse) maybe no spare tire of that size on board.

Replacements May Not Be Readily Available

If you do need a replacement tire, it could be difficult to obtain one immediately. Since they’re less common, it may also be more challenging to obtain them when replacement time comes.

Necessary Modifications

Modifications are required to make the switch from duals to super singles. Making this mod is commonly known as “singling out” a vehicle. At a minimum, you’ll need to switch to new wheels/rims. Additionally, on smaller vehicles, wheel well modifications may be required and/or the suspension may need to be lifted to make room for the larger tires.

Difficult to Lift and Maneuver

A super single tire typically weighs about 70% of what two duals weigh. But that’s considerably more than either one of the duals weighs by itself. So, a super single is more difficult to lift and handle than a dual tire.

Cost

Super singles are generally a lot more expensive than regular dual tires. This might not be a big negative if they outlast regular tires. Unfortunately, they tend to wear out faster. While all large RV tires can be expensive, super singles can make it worse. Our video about RV tire replacement might help save you some $!

Why Would You Want to Switch to Super Single Tires?

The main reason someone might want to single out their RV is for better off-roading. RVers who boondock in remote areas probably value the benefits of super singles most. The ability to travel off-road to remote locations for Overlanding experiences is likely the greatest allure of super singles.

Otherwise, traditional duals offer better highway performance. The cost of singling out would likely be far less worthwhile for RVers who remain ON the beaten path.

Want to help extend the life of any tire on your RV? Check out our post on tire age, care, and replacement.

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