Forum Discussion

svt440's avatar
svt440
Explorer
Mar 20, 2017

The never ending debate..SRW vs DRW

So I've been reading for days about this and have read mixed reviews on the topic all of which don't directly relate to my situation so I thought'd I'd ask someone with some experience towing.

I just bought my 2014 Rockwood 8289ws which is 8408lbs dry, with a GVWR of 9878lbs. Currently I tow it with a 2003 2500HD Duramax. The truck is a short bed, extended cab, so about as short as one can get. It handles fine when its not windy at 70mph, but in turn on a windy day it makes me a bit nervous. To answer the question, is the fifth wheel set up properly and weight distributed properly? Yes. And please don't say I shouldn't be towing over 65mph. I know I know. I just feel like the fifth wheel owns the truck when I'm driving, and I don't like that feeling.

At the moment I'm considering a dually. Overkill? Most would say yes. But I like the idea of being "over trucked". I like being able to sit back for ten hours and cruise and not have to constantly be paying attention behind me.

That being said, I hate the idea of a dually. 6 tires, worse fuel mileage, and wider. I'd really love to go with a SRW because I love the way a four door long bed SRW looks, amongst other benefits. Regardless I'll do a 1 ton truck, and regardless it'll be a long bed four door (I just feel the longer wheel base is best). Just can't decide if I want a SRW or DRW. If its true that I'll notice zero difference in stability because my fifth wheel is so light, then I'll go SRW. But if a windy day comes and I will in fact notice a difference between the two and feel better with a dually with a 9000lb fifth wheel, then I want to go dually. I'll sacrifice 2mpg for comfort and stability.

Everything I've read is on 13,000lb and up fifth wheels. Sure a DRW is the way to go in that case, but at under 10,000lbs, I'm wondering if I'll benefit at all with DRW.

Last note, the truck is not a daily driver. Its only purpose is camping. I'm not retired, and wont be for about 35 more years lol, so I don't camp all the time. I'm making a couple large trips this summer however, and planning on a few two week 'out west' trips next year, as well as the years to follow, so I want a comfortable truck since I'm spending the money! Also I live out in the country so a dually is more than manageable plus I've grown up operating large machinery.

Hoping to hear that I wont feel a difference between the two given the fifth wheel I have, but I'm afraid thats not true. Thanks guys!
  • Lantley's avatar
    Lantley
    Nomad
    Mar 26, 2017
    Bedlam wrote:
    Two sidewalls per tire give you eight sidewalls.

    I will argue the wider track does not do as much for stability because the frame is not hard mounted to the axle. The width of the suspension is the same on a SRW and DRW. It will help tracking if the rear width of the truck matches the trailer.

    The DRW's stability advantage is due to stiffer sidewalls by having twice the number of tires and typically heavier suspension components. If you put stiffer sidewall tires and suspension on a SRW, you will see stability also increased.


    Regardless of the attachment method the added width will increase stability. Imagine a bike with training wheels. Move those training wheels inward they have less effect. Spread them wider and the bike becomes harder to tip over.
    While the frame is not hard mounted to the axle, the axle does not flex. The suspension will eventually hit a stop.
    On a dually the suspension/axle is wider than the frame producing stability.
  • Bedlam's avatar
    Bedlam
    Moderator
    Mar 26, 2017
    Two sidewalls per tire give you eight sidewalls.

    I will argue the wider track does not do as much for stability because the frame is not hard mounted to the axle. The width of the suspension is the same on a SRW and DRW. It will help tracking if the rear width of the truck matches the trailer.

    The DRW's stability advantage is due to stiffer sidewalls by having twice the number of tires and typically heavier suspension components. If you put stiffer sidewall tires and suspension on a SRW, you will see stability also increased.
  • RAS43's avatar
    RAS43
    Explorer III
    Mar 26, 2017
    BenK wrote:

    Single will have FOUR 10 ply (or more) rated sidewalls

    Dually will have EIGHT 10 ply (or more) rated sidewalls


    When did duallys start coming with 8 tires??
  • BenK's avatar
    BenK
    Explorer
    Mar 26, 2017
    There are two more aspects separating a single vs dual rear setup

    Track and number of 10 ply rated (or more) sidewalls




    Take yourself and let someone push you sideways HARD

    Once with your feet planted about 6 inches apart

    Second time with your feet planted shoulder width or more

    Which one would resist and control that sideways push better and easier...

    That is 'track' or the distance between the left to right tires on pavement




    Single will have FOUR 10 ply (or more) rated sidewalls

    Dually will have EIGHT 10 ply (or more) rated sidewalls

    Even though they each may total to the same weight carry...one with more sidewalls will have less sidewall movement (roll over, squirm, etc) than the other





    This is for towing/hauling heavy....car attributes forces compromises and is very subjective to each individual.

    Like 'ride quality' is not on my 'have to have list' and towards the bottom of my 'nice to have list'...

    Ditto lack of maneuverability when used as a car. Decide which is more important and is subjective to the individual



    There is no one size fits all and campaigning for/against is trying to convince someone otherwise to their own needs/wants/etc...
  • Motoring_Bob's avatar
    Motoring_Bob
    Explorer
    Mar 26, 2017
    Hi svt440,

    I have a 3500 RAM/Cummins/AISIN SRW Crewcab SHORTBED. I tow well below my towing capacity and my ride is very smooth. Recently, I talked to several people who have a dually. They selected the dually for their size and load. However, they all complained about the ride AFTER unhooking - too rough! Something to consider - ask your fellow campers. Good luck - Happy Camping!
  • fj12ryder's avatar
    fj12ryder
    Explorer III
    Mar 26, 2017
    It would seem that we were talking at cross purposes, and I've misunderstood you. I thought you were saying the only time a dually is better is if you need the payload that a dually offers over a SRW.
  • kofire's avatar
    kofire
    Explorer
    Mar 26, 2017
    fj12ryder wrote:
    kofire wrote:
    The debate between srw and drw is senseless in my opinion. You either need the extra weight carrying capacity or you don't. What am I missing here ? It all comes down to payload.
    I don't think so. If you're using your truck strictly for hauling a trailer a dually will be more stable than a SRW in most cases, as almost all posters have noted. In many cases a daully isn't needed, but is generally considered to be a more stable platform. Especially as you near the upper limit of a SRW truck. It may still be within it's specs, but the dually will be a better match.

    So I would say, no it doesn't "all come down to payload."

    And I'm discussing only used for towing.


    Maybe I am speaking too literal for you. I'm not debating that a drw isn't more stable any idiot can tell that. A dually is definetely more stable usually because it has a heavier spring pack and sway bar then it's srw counterpart.
    SRW can have the same spring packs and sway bars as a dually if ordered that way or upgraded with aftermarket components. They will feel virtually the same towing the same load.
    My point is generally speaking the dually was designed to offer more payload. With it of course comes more stability because it has an extra tire. I just don't get how there's even an arguement.
    There is twice the amount of tires in the back. It's more stable and is legally able to carry more.
    Now that's not to say that a srw truck is perfectly capable of carrying up to its max GVWR or above. I've towed with both and have gone back to srw.
  • fj12ryder's avatar
    fj12ryder
    Explorer III
    Mar 24, 2017
    kofire wrote:
    The debate between srw and drw is senseless in my opinion. You either need the extra weight carrying capacity or you don't. What am I missing here ? It all comes down to payload.
    I don't think so. If you're using your truck strictly for hauling a trailer a dually will be more stable than a SRW in most cases, as almost all posters have noted. In many cases a daully isn't needed, but is generally considered to be a more stable platform. Especially as you near the upper limit of a SRW truck. It may still be within it's specs, but the dually will be a better match.

    So I would say, no it doesn't "all come down to payload."

    And I'm discussing only used for towing.
  • kofire's avatar
    kofire
    Explorer
    Mar 24, 2017
    The debate between srw and drw is senseless in my opinion. You either need the extra weight carrying capacity or you don't. What am I missing here ? It all comes down to payload.

About RV Tips & Tricks

Looking for advice before your next adventure? Look no further.25,107 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 29, 2025