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loverving45's avatar
loverving45
Explorer
Dec 20, 2020

Towing with a dually or single?need help please

Hello,
I have a 39’ fifth wheel 4 slides, , 14000 pound, and am about to buy a pick up to tow it. Everyone tells me to buy regular pickup , not a dually. They say the regular single rear wheel is enough for towing this fifth wheel and no need for dually. I’ve heard that dually is a must have for such big trailers due to the steadiness it provides. My question is for those of you who own similar size of rig, do you suggest me buying a dually or a single rear wheel? Also, which if the companies is the best for this purpose, ram, gmc or Ford? Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated and helpful. Thank you
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Dec 20, 2020
    Driving a SRW without the 5er is much more pleasurable.
  • Walaby's avatar
    Walaby
    Explorer II
    Dec 20, 2020
    My 5er is 13880 lbs and nearly 41ft length. Have no problems towing it with a 1 ton SRW. That said, I know many people who have towed large 5ers with both would tell you hands down the best towing experience will be with the DRW, and they are likely correct. But, Im happy with my setup, have never had any issues. Have experienced one panic stop in wet weather and never felt out of control in the slightest.

    As others have said, brand is what you like best, but for a 5er in the 14K territory, IMHO, diesel is the only way to go.

    Mike
  • BB_TX's avatar
    BB_TX
    Nomad
    Dec 20, 2020
    The tow and payload ratings of the trucks keep going up almost yearly. New trucks, SRW and DRW, are far more capable than just a few years ago. A newer single rear wheel (SRW) will be fine for that trailer. But check the ratings for the truck you are looking at. Depending on configuration the ratings can vary a lot for the same year, same model truck depending on cab, bed, engine, drive train, etc.

    As far as brand, what YOU like best. All three are great, dependable, and capable trucks.
  • Jack_Diane_Free's avatar
    Jack_Diane_Free
    Explorer
    Dec 20, 2020
    I recently towed a 40ft, 14000lb Mobile Suites for thousands of miles with a F350 short box singe rear wheel. Did not ever experience a problem with stability, sway or anything else. Truck was V-10 gasser and more than up to the task. Just let it rev, that is where it works best.
  • BobsYourUncle's avatar
    BobsYourUncle
    Nomad
    Dec 20, 2020
    My TT is only 32' and half the weight of your rig, but I love the extra stability the dually offers. Even in southern Alberta winds, which can be brutal at times, I find it very stable. 14,000 pounds is a lot of weight and my opinion is for the dually.

    Brand? Doesn't matter, all the big 3 are up to the task. Pick the one that you like best. But I would definitely go diesel, not gas.

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