Dually vs Straight

Problem solved, we traded yesterday for a Class C motorhome. I agree that a SRW is just not enough for our heavy Fiver. That is the decision that we came to in 2002 when we bought the first DRW. I was trying to combine trucks into a commuter and tow machine with the SRW but I knew down inside that was not the right decision. Thank you all for your very insightful comments. This trade also eliminates the potential DEF problems associated with the 2011 and beyond diesels. A special thanks goes out to Obama Motors and the EPA!

I've had both SRW and now the dually, and I prefer the dually.
On our 6500 mile raod trip out west this year we saw a lot, probably over half, of the fifth wheels being towed by SRW, and yes, many of them were squatted.
I believe for some the preference lies in the toleration of the charistics of the truck when not towing drives the decision of going DRW or SRW. Decide if the trade offs for the amount of towing warrents the DRW or SRW.
Jim

I've used SRW for years, mostly because of getting around in the fields. I began to realize just how over weight I was , and we hope to buy a longer Lifestyle then the 2011 Cameo 31 ft. The Cameo had the SRW overweight. Went to a dRW F350 2014. We broke it in driving to Memphis Tenn. from the Amarillo area. (not towing). Was shocked how easily it handled. Hooked on to the trailer and was very impressed. We've had it all over towing and not, and very glad I made the change. As far a DEF. I've had 2 now that use it and it's not a big problem. More and more stations are getting dEF pumps, and you can get the jugs all over.

in recent years the wonderful world of factory truck ratings has undergone a major revolution .... today's trucks (half ton, three quarter ton, and one ton) carry factory ratings that were unheard of only a few years ago .... the days of "needing" a dually to get the ratings necessary to tow the vast majority of campers is over .... for old school folks (like me) that fact can take some getting used to and often generates a discussions based on emotion and not fact .... given the current payload ratings of one ton single rear wheel trucks, the only time a dually comes in handy is it handling side forces .... other than that, the single wheel trucks come out better .... mileage, on going cost of ownership, traction on slippery surfaces, ease of finding a parking place, and so on .... I tow with a Freightliner Sportchassis, our prior truck was a Chevy 3500 dually .... if I was buying a truck today, it would be a Chevy or Ford one ton, single rear wheel

Jim

MTPockets1 wrote:

Dave H M wrote:
If you have been on this forum for a while, it should be apparent that a title like yours would bring out all the dually jargon.

Why not crunch the numbers yourself and get what you need and what fits your personal desires?

Me, I would never own a dually or a long bed. My F250 short box meets the towing specs and is the truck that I personally wanted.

Towing specs... probably, but I doubt GVWR... We're talking 5th wheels.. Pulling power is rarely the issue, it's the payload spec. I doubt your F250 is rated for any more than 3000 lbs. payload and probably is less. If it is and you subtract passenger weight, hitch weight and any other cargo from your payload door post number, then subtract your fully loaded 5vr pin weight, you would be OK, but I would be surprised. My 35 ft. 5vr pin weight is 3400 lbs fully loaded, plus I have to add passengers, fuel, and cargo and that brings me close to 4400 lbs.. No F250 can do that, and no F350 SRW can do that. It goes beyond tire capacity, not to mention truck.

There are 1 ton SRW trucks out there now, Ford GM/Chevy or Dodge that CAN tow the 5er you're talking about. I'm talking 2013-2015 1 ton SRW trucks, but yes, they can tow that weight and not exceed the trucks RAWR...

I was a BIG stickler of GVWR, but over the years have found out more and more, that most use RAWR...Now, with my truck and load, I'm even under my trucks GVWR of 14,000# and WELL under it's 9750# RAWR (actually rated to 11,800#)...BUT, yes, there are 1 ton SRW trucks out there today that can handle weight you are talking about...do the research.

Dave H M wrote:
If you have been on this forum for a while, it should be apparent that a title like yours would bring out all the dually jargon.

Why not crunch the numbers yourself and get what you need and what fits your personal desires?

Me, I would never own a dually or a long bed. My F250 short box meets the towing specs and is the truck that I personally wanted.

Sounds like you know quite a bit about it. Talking about "all the dually jargon"?? Then stating you would never own one...Wow, positive remarks right off the bat. If your truck works in your case, that's fine, but if towing heavier, than eventually, one just may need a dually "IF" going heavier/longer...

I've towed with both short bed and long bed...depends on one's preference. short bed was nice, but I needed a slider hitch, (my philosophy is better to have one and not need it, then to not have one and need it)...A long bed can be a hassle, but I have much more room, even towing the 5er to put "stuff" in the bed of the truck and I don't need a slider. last 5 trucks have been long beds..I prefer them now.

As you stated, "crunch the numbers"...if it works, get a SRW truck...but as far as short bed or long bed, I would leave that to the discretion of the purchaser.

Again, as far as "NEVER" owning a dually...well.....one will be limited to what they can tow in that case...it's a fact, not made up and no, I'm not one like you apparently think ALL dually owners are....IF you need a dually, ie, "crunch the numbers"...if you NEED a dually to tow with, buy one, if you don't.....then don't....but I don't have to throw out remarks about SRW truck owners, (as I was one for YEARS and YEARS)....people get what they want and need....most of the time, no matter what anyone tell's them on a forum...

MTPockets1 wrote:

Dave H M wrote:
If you have been on this forum for a while, it should be apparent that a title like yours would bring out all the dually jargon.

Why not crunch the numbers yourself and get what you need and what fits your personal desires?

Me, I would never own a dually or a long bed. My F250 short box meets the towing specs and is the truck that I personally wanted.

Towing specs... probably, but I doubt GVWR... We're talking 5th wheels.. Pulling power is rarely the issue, it's the payload spec. I doubt your F250 is rated for any more than 3000 lbs. payload and probably is less. If it is and you subtract passenger weight, hitch weight and any other cargo from your payload door post number, then subtract your fully loaded 5vr pin weight, you would be OK, but I would be surprised. My 35 ft. 5vr pin weight is 3400 lbs fully loaded, plus I have to add passengers, fuel, and cargo and that brings me close to 4400 lbs.. No F250 can do that, and no F350 SRW can do that. It goes beyond tire capacity, not to mention truck.

What you talkin bout? It tows just fine!

mudmaker wrote:
I've got both and would rather pull the camper with the new one, (SRW) especially for getting in tight spaces. Tows just fine, better mileage than the 08 too. Haven't noticed any weird driving quirks either. And most DEF problems are all gone.
But if ya like extra wide turns, not fitting into parking spots, buy a couple extra tires etc then I guess the dually is your truck.

I agree with most of what you've posted, but having towed the same 5er with both a 1 ton SRW truck and a 1 ton Dually through the mountains on curvy, mountainous terrain, the 1 ton Dually offers more stability on the towing experience end of it...That's the only difference I've felt and can speak to.

I disagree with all your negatives with a dually...guess it's what you get use to. When towing, I have to turn wide, when not towing, haven't been anywhere I had to make an "exaggerated" turn...fitting into parking spots...wow, really nit-picking here, mine is my daily driver also, and I park just about wherever I want to, but I've been driving dually's since 05' now, so again, guess it's what you get use to.....buy a couple extra tires? Hey, if you got a dually, it's part of what comes with it...I have "enough" truck to cover what I tow now and what I may tow in the future...cheaper now...So, I'm not making an argument for either one as you've chosen to do....A dually, in my opinion, towing in mountainous, curvy terrain, offers more stability with the load, weight and length of whatever it is you're towing. "Getting into 'tight spots'"...most 5er owners/towers I know try to avoid "tight spots"...

To the OP:
If numbers on your HR are correct, I don't see why a new 1 ton SRW truck wouldn't work for you...The newer 1 ton SRW trucks have increased GVWR, GCWR and RAWR should easily be able to handle the load. I would think that combo would work for you if that's what you want....That 5er really isn't "that" heavy.

I've got both and would rather pull the camper with the new one, (SRW) especially for getting in tight spaces. Tows just fine, better mileage than the 08 too. Haven't noticed any weird driving quirks either. And most DEF problems are all gone.
But if ya like extra wide turns, not fitting into parking spots, buy a couple extra tires etc then I guess the dually is your truck.

Dave H M wrote:
If you have been on this forum for a while, it should be apparent that a title like yours would bring out all the dually jargon.

Why not crunch the numbers yourself and get what you need and what fits your personal desires?

Me, I would never own a dually or a long bed. My F250 short box meets the towing specs and is the truck that I personally wanted.

Towing specs... probably, but I doubt GVWR... We're talking 5th wheels.. Pulling power is rarely the issue, it's the payload spec. I doubt your F250 is rated for any more than 3000 lbs. payload and probably is less. If it is and you subtract passenger weight, hitch weight and any other cargo from your payload door post number, then subtract your fully loaded 5vr pin weight, you would be OK, but I would be surprised. My 35 ft. 5vr pin weight is 3400 lbs fully loaded, plus I have to add passengers, fuel, and cargo and that brings me close to 4400 lbs.. No F250 can do that, and no F350 SRW can do that. It goes beyond tire capacity, not to mention truck.