Truck Dually Wheels

I posted recently in another thread, on about this same subject.

There is a really simple answer to this DRW v SRW fiasco that usually goes on way past its prime.

Do the math.

In other words, look at your tires capacity (weight wise) then figure what the heaviest loaded pin weight will be of any fifth wheel you are thinking of purchasing.

These figures are advertised by almost all manufacturers, and can be easily figured with just a few moments of anyone's time.

Doing the math has all the advantages.

Math does not go on for ten pages without an answer. It happens immediately.

Math does not tell fabrications.

Math does not tell war stories.

Math does not offer an opinion.

Math does NOT pit one poster against another. It is neutral, and, as I said, immediately correct with an answer, which is what any of us needs.

Math does NOT give you a personal impression of what one vehicle drives like or the other.

Math just simply gives you an answer. Impartial and quickly.

Now for those that say "what is this guy talking about???" here's a quick example of how the math answers.

New fifth wheel, 12,500 pounds unloaded with an advertised pin weight of 2,300 pounds. It also advertises a Gross weight rating of 16,500 pounds.

Just be reading the sidewall of your tires one can immediately know if they can handle this fifth wheel.

An answer. Not ten pages of back and forth.

The example fifth wheel above has a hitch weight percentage of 18.4 percent. (2300 divided by 12,500)

So the heaviest pin weight this model can generate is 3,036 pounds. (16,500 times 18.4 percent).

Now, what is the load rating of your tires??? You have an answer.

Not an opinion, impression, war story or otherwise. An honest answer.

One catch though. Folks with SRW (single) rear wheel vehicles MUST realize that those two tires in back are carrying the truck itself, so most likely you will use up a lot of that tire capacity for one tire in just the truck itself.

So when you look at pin weight, just think of it as all being on the one tire remaining and you will do just fine.

Justification at it's finest, both sides of course. I'll kick this horse again.

The reason for DRW, more capacity, simple as that. You have the same drive train other than the rear axle. Sure they beef up the springs and frame, and adjust the front rear brake balance.

As for a drw being to big for the roads, might want to look at the trucks that built the road, pave the road, gravel the road. Install the electric to the homes. Hint, all DRW.

When a 1 ton isn't big enough they build the F450, F550 or your brands equal. That isn't enough? well no problem, we can all go class 8 if we want/need to.


So that's it, if you need the weight rating you should buy a DRW. If you can axle it out with a SRW go for it. But for my fiver unless they start making super singles you can't/shouldn't try a SRW truck. My DRW barely makes the ratings on the scales and for this discussion the scales don't lie.

My .02

Get the right tools for the job. I like to use my truck as a moderate 4WD at our destinations. A dually just is not that good in the mud, or on narrow roads. So, I am backwards from most folks. Our 5ers will always be towable by a SRW and it will be a super cab with a standard bed. This is about as big a truck that I can manage on crappy roads. Of course this is the type of company truck I used in the oilfield. Your Mileage may vary.

Dtank wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Dtank

Why do you keep mentioning CA?

I tow 29K combined right now and my TV is licensed for 14K. No need to stop at scales anywhere for me.

Cummins - I was under the impression from some of your previous posts you were in California.

If not.....(my bad!)..:(
the CA trivia (sales tax and "hoops" to jump thru) obviously doesn't apply to you!

"Licensed for 14K":
*If* your pickup is registered in CA, with GVWR of 11,500 lbs or more you are required to stop at scales - whether towing or not.
"No pickups" - does *NOT* apply.
Not my "opinion" - It's the *law*. (see previous link).

Will the/a Chippy at the scales chase you down?
Who knows - depends on how busy they are, and if extra LEOs there to do it.

Out-of-state plates, no problem - *unless* some overzealous Chippy thinks you are hot-shotting. (delivering trlrs).

BTW - For purchasing *any* vehicle - I would prefer to be in a *NO* sales tax state - but, that has nothing to do with SRW/DRW - "preference and/or effortless towing".

.

I do travel there a lot. No way will I become a citizen of KALIFORNIA!

Dtank wrote:

transamz9 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
The Dually option for my recently ordered 15 RAM cost me $1,020. Pretty darn cheap!

Now what does it cost to change from 17" E's to 19.5 Rickon's with tires????

I get factory tow rating north of 28K. Payload around 6K and SAE J2807 to back it all up. I have towed both SRW and DRW's and there is no comparison. DRW is effortless towing!

I could have bagged and 19.5 my 98 2500 RAM to tow our current Mobile Suites but I know it would not be safe. No Bandaids for me!

There is worlds of difference between your 98 2500 and a 15 3500 SRW. TSC, brakes , tires. The list can go on.

If ya gotta have one - ya gotta have one..;)

Cummins was way overdue to upgrade - no matter whether SRW or DRW.
IMO - I wouldn't spend the bucks for the Ricksons & tires for it either)

The SRW -vs- DRW is a matter of *preference* - and has nothing to do with the $1200 option - and/or "effortless towing"..:S

An HDT with 500 hp & 1600 ft lbs for the same $$ (or less) is "effortless towing", LOL!

Review *ALL* the costs (and potential "hoops") for *CA* in my previous post.
(Sales tax in most of CA is right at nine -9%- percent, some counties at 10%.)

It is what it is - but there are other DRW "options" - even when/if "ya gotta".

In CA - "buyer beware" has several definitions - as well as several cost effective "effortless" (legal) solutions.
It gets down to choices, as well as the depth of your pockets!..;)



.

This is true in a lot of ways. If you have a paid off low miles SRW and you can get away with the correct "band-aids" and have 450 hp available and knock down 18-24 mpg not towing why spend the money on anything else.

dshizzel wrote:
10 pages in, and while I don't have anything constructive to add, I have found this thread very informative and hugely entertaining.

Thanks, y'all.

The SRW VS DRW subject comes up every week it seems. Gets the same responses everytime it comes up. Reminds me of a dog that goes out in the yard & digs up the same bone day after day, knaws away at it for a little while, then burys it for the next time.

Oh well, if we didn't drag out the same bones every week we would have nothing to talk about.

It is entertaining.

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Dtank

Why do you keep mentioning CA?

I tow 29K combined right now and my TV is licensed for 14K. No need to stop at scales anywhere for me.

Cummins - I was under the impression from some of your previous posts you were in California.

If not.....(my bad!)..:(
the CA trivia (sales tax and "hoops" to jump thru) obviously doesn't apply to you!

"Licensed for 14K":
*If* your pickup is registered in CA, with GVWR of 11,500 lbs or more you are required to stop at scales - whether towing or not.
"No pickups" - does *NOT* apply.
Not my "opinion" - It's the *law*. (see previous link).

Will the/a Chippy at the scales chase you down?
Who knows - depends on how busy they are, and if extra LEOs there to do it.

Out-of-state plates, no problem - *unless* some overzealous Chippy thinks you are hot-shotting. (delivering trlrs).

BTW - For purchasing *any* vehicle - I would prefer to be in a *NO* sales tax state - but, that has nothing to do with SRW/DRW - "preference and/or effortless towing".

.

Dtank

Why do you keep mentioning CA?

I tow 29K combined right now and my TV is licensed for 14K. No need to stop at scales anywhere for me.

10 pages in, and while I don't have anything constructive to add, I have found this thread very informative and hugely entertaining.

Thanks, y'all.

transamz9 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
The Dually option for my recently ordered 15 RAM cost me $1,020. Pretty darn cheap!

Now what does it cost to change from 17" E's to 19.5 Rickon's with tires????

I get factory tow rating north of 28K. Payload around 6K and SAE J2807 to back it all up. I have towed both SRW and DRW's and there is no comparison. DRW is effortless towing!

I could have bagged and 19.5 my 98 2500 RAM to tow our current Mobile Suites but I know it would not be safe. No Bandaids for me!

There is worlds of difference between your 98 2500 and a 15 3500 SRW. TSC, brakes , tires. The list can go on.

If ya gotta have one - ya gotta have one..;)

Cummins was way overdue to upgrade - no matter whether SRW or DRW.
IMO - I wouldn't spend the bucks for the Ricksons & tires for it either)

The SRW -vs- DRW is a matter of *preference* - and has nothing to do with the $1200 option - and/or "effortless towing"..:S

An HDT with 500 hp & 1600 ft lbs for the same $$ (or less) is "effortless towing", LOL!

Review *ALL* the costs (and potential "hoops") for *CA* in my previous post.
(Sales tax in most of CA is right at nine -9%- percent, some counties at 10%.)

It is what it is - but there are other DRW "options" - even when/if "ya gotta".

In CA - "buyer beware" has several definitions - as well as several cost effective "effortless" (legal) solutions.
It gets down to choices, as well as the depth of your pockets!..;)



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