DRW Stability

I've towed with a Chevy Suburban (not a truck) single wheel towing an 18 foot Dutchmen Sport (lite). I used WD bars and a friction sway bar. Although the configuration was acceptable, I still felt a considerable amount of movement from the trailer, not sway, just uncomfortable movement.

Then we got our dual Chevy pick-up truck 3500 (gas) and all the unwanted movement (the feeling of a boat tilting from side to side) was not there any more. Now, the suspension of the truck might had something to do with that, it might have been heavier shocks, or heavier springs, I don't know. But the difference was like night and day.

So we eventually went to a dual diesel Chevy 3500, and it really was (and still is) rock solid, even towing a trailer that is now 2 times the length of our first trailer. Our Outback is is 35 and 1/2 feet long, and the same diesel Chevy tows rock solid. There again, maybe is just the suspension, but the bigger foot print (6 tires) on the ground instead of 4, makes a much more firm "foundation". Imagine a house at the beach on the ocean on stilts, vs a house in the mid-west built on a concrete foundation? Same wind? which shakes the floor more?

Stability is that feeling in my seat of the pants. I have fewer "What was that?" moments caused by unexpected movements. Not very scientific, but there it is.

DutchmenSport wrote:
I've towed with a Chevy Suburban (not a truck) single wheel towing an 18 foot Dutchmen Sport (lite). I used WD bars and a friction sway bar. Although the configuration was acceptable, I still felt a considerable amount of movement from the trailer, not sway, just uncomfortable movement.

Then we got our dual Chevy pick-up truck 3500 (gas) and all the unwanted movement (the feeling of a boat tilting from side to side) was not there any more. Now, the suspension of the truck might had something to do with that, it might have been heavier shocks, or heavier springs, I don't know. But the difference was like night and day.

So we eventually went to a dual diesel Chevy 3500, and it really was (and still is) rock solid, even towing a trailer that is now 2 times the length of our first trailer. Our Outback is is 35 and 1/2 feet long, and the same diesel Chevy tows rock solid. There again, maybe is just the suspension, but the bigger foot print (6 tires) on the ground instead of 4, makes a much more firm "foundation". Imagine a house at the beach on the ocean on stilts, vs a house in the mid-west built on a concrete foundation? Same wind? which shakes the floor more?

With the circumstances you describe above I can definitely understand the advantage of the DRW.... because you did experience stability issues with the Suburban.

Its simple physics. With everything else being equal (and its not, DRW generally have slightly different components to handle the increased payload capability than SRW) the DRW has a wider stance making it more stable in any side to side action. If you don't believe it, test drive one and listen to the seat of your pants.

(old farm boy here, I can tell without any doubt pulling livestock trailers with 1 ton SRW versus 1 ton DWR there is a definite difference)

Go stand in middle of room with legs just slightly parted.
Have some one push you from the side

Go stand in middle of room with legs spread far apart.
Have some one push you from the side


Wide stance is more stable........same with single wheel axle vs dual wheel axle
Dually has a wider stance.

I tow with a SRW and my combo is very stable.
IF I were to go to a heavier 5'vr (above 14K) then I would go dually.

All I can say is on a dry road not towing our Dodge corners like a sports car...and that's the truth.
Plus a dually handles shoulder drop-offs way better when towing IMO.

I understand the physics of the wider stance.

And if you are experiencing side to side movement while towing... the advantage of switching to a DRW.

I'm not trying to stir the pot... but as I stated "To say the DRW is more stable vs towing the same 5er with a SRW would inherently indicate you experienced some type of instability towing with a SRW."

Is the difference that significant?

This discussion will go down hill real fast I guarantee it.
The other thread is already headed downhill.

Back on topic.
I bought a dually without a real need for one initially.
It just happens that we had gone to larger coach and the difference to me is more than minor.

Essentially I do believe that newer SRW's are probably much beefier than previous years.
Driving ability and towing experience comes into play also.

It doesn't have to be unstable, you can feel movement more with a SRW.

I'ts all about leverage and grip. When you've 1,500 lbs or more of pin weight 18-24" above the axle trying to move from side wind, passing vehicles or just the crown in the road, that extra foot of width and 8" more rubber on the pavement on each side will make the TV more stable.

NASCAR drivers always say 8 tires corner better than 4.

I know a lot of people don't want a dually, fine I get that. But you can't argue the physic's of a wider stance and twice the contact patch. You won't find many people with a dually that would go back to SRW for towing. Try it, you like it.

sidney wrote:


"To say the DRW is more stable vs towing the same 5er with a SRW would inherently indicate you experienced some type of instability towing with a SRW."

Is the difference that significant?

It is not that the SRW is unstable. It's the DRW is more stable. Does that mean you need a dually, certainly not but it does mean the dually will feel more stable with the same trailer every time. As long as you are within the capability of your truck your good, beyond that is all about confidence and comfort towing.