Weight requiring duals?

It is not only for weight, but stability.
I would think it should be closer to 10,000.

Total weight is not an issue since any of the 350/3500 diesels can pull anything out there.

Pin weight and rear axle capacity are the big factors and pin weight (within limits) depends on how the balance of the trailer is designed.

10,000# is ridiculous. That is 3/4-ton range.

Lar's wrote:
I've been told that once over 17,000 lbs. total weight that I'll need a dual wheel truck.

In my opinion you'll need more than a dually pickup.. but that's just my opinion.

"Bottom line".. the heavier the truck the better it handles.

When you refer to "17,000 lbs. total weight", are you talking about total combined weight or the total loaded weight of the 5th wheel? It does make a difference.

Old man, in "heavier truck" are you referring to the extra weight of the fender flares and two extra tires?

lynndiwagon wrote:
Old man, in "heavier truck" are you referring to the extra weight of the fender flares and two extra tires?

No.

I have been doing research on new trucks. The Ford 350 SRW, has a towing capacity just under 17,000 lbs. with a GVWR of 11,000 lbs. The Chevy or GMC 3500 SRW has a fifth towing capacity of just over 17,000 lbs with GVRW of 11,400 lbs. the Dodge Ram 3500 is in between the two. Now these figures are all for Diesel trucks. The gas engine drops.

Now the DRW goes up considerably.

It is the loaded pin weight, plus the hitch, that will sit right on your rear axle. Most times you can take 20% of the trailer loaded weight to figure the loaded actual pin weight. If loading near the FW GVWR, use that figure.

Whatever truck you look at will have a door sticker, stating the RAWR. GVWR is another consideration, and will involve the total payload.

I agree, if over actual 17,000 lbs. loaded wt, you would be best off with a DRW.

Jerry

There are ways for a dually to be challenged by 10k.

Because of my engine, axle ratio, and transmission choices the Ford Towing Guide says my dually limit is 10,300. Even though my 10k rig was advertized as "half ton towable".

your truck is nearly 15 years old. That's not too applicable in most cases.