Need advise on tow vehicle 3500 or 3500 dually

driveandfish wrote:
I think even if you bump the wheel size and capacity of the tires you are still limited by the GAWR. My SRW drive 1-ton Dodge has a GAWR of 6200 lbs. With my 32.5 ft trailer (34' actual) loaded for weekend camping, my scaled weight on the rear axle is 6000-6200 lbs depending on how I have packed. If you plan on full timing then I say absolutely the DWR. If you are weekending then the SRW will suffice but the DWR gives you a lot more safety margin. I wish I had gone the dually route but talked myself out of it as it is my daily driver.

Your SRW uses the same axle as the DRW, you won't overload it even with most 19.5's at capacity. The axle itself is rated for 10,912lbs, but the highest RAWR given to your frame is 9,350 which is just above a set of Vision 19.5" wheels at 9,000. Your OEM RAWR is based on tires, so use that. The highest GVWR given to your frame is 12,200 so take that for what it's worth.. that's also a number many people with big 5er's or TC's violate. Personally I try to keep my truck at or under 12,200 which means ±7,500lbs on the rear axle.

SRW vs DRW is a tiresome debate on this site, and it's comes down to needs. A SRW can tow a lot with upgrades, a DRW can tow more without upgrades. For the most part tires are the SRW limit, medium duty tires (19.5's), will make that limit nearly unreachable.

Many new, and used, SRW trucks run OEM 18's which give a RAWR of 7K which is a nice bump over the pitiful 17" tire ratings.