I don’t think anyone would argue that a DRW is more stable at carrying a TC but let’s hear some thoughts when comparing “apples to apples”For example let’s assume trucks are both new Ram 3500 4x4 diesels. 1) Ram SRW SB with a payload off approx 3800 lbs carrying a Lance 855 S which is 8’11” with a slide and a wet weight of 3800-4000 lbs. and approx 2’ of overhang. 2) Ram LB DRW with a payload of approx 5000 lbs carrying a Lance 1172. 11’11” and wet weight of at least 5000-5500 lbs. and almost 4’ of overhang. Both trucks will be at or slightly over GVW rating but assume within axle and tire limits. I’m sure if you wanted to get scientific and calculate wheeelbase, cog, weight, overhang, roll moments etc you would get a scientific answer, but what do you think seat of the pants feel would be?Would a SB truck at its GVW be as stable as a DRW at its GVW?To add more thought, add a few hundred lbs of hitch weight for towing.

Wide stance provides more stabilityLongbed provides better rideLongbed DRW....hard to beat when AT/OVER GVWR carrying a TC

DRW will feel more stable even when you pull a trailer with 100 lb tongue weight.But there is lot of variables here. First seem you are comparing taxable GVW. Camper doesn't ride on taxes, but on actual truck, so you have to compensate for differences. Than tires make huge difference in handling heavy loads. Than you don't calculate COG placement on campers. When 8-11" camper will put some load on front axle, the 11-11" camper will take some weight from front axle.

The acronym you want is "GVWR" and no, an srw will never be as stable when overloaded.

^ Spot on.Best statement I've heard in a while....Camper doesn't ride on taxes, it rides on the truck.Comparing apples to apples 100% except srw or dually, spring rates the same, the body roll of the truck body and camper will be identical from the springs up. Width between springs are the same.The additional tire capacity of the dually(not the moment arm of the wider track rear end) will provide greater stability via less give in the tire(s).Now of course all the other stuff Kayteg said also will come into play as well in anything other than a controlled experiment where all the parameters are the same.

Grit dog wrote:^ Spot on.Best statement I've heard in a while....Camper doesn't ride on taxes, it rides on the truck.Comparing apples to apples 100% except srw or dually, spring rates the same, the body roll of the truck body and camper will be identical from the springs up. Width between springs are the same.The additional tire capacity of the dually(not the moment arm of the wider track rear end) will provide greater stability via less give in the tire(s).Now of course all the other stuff Kayteg said also will come into play as well in anything other than a controlled experiment where all the parameters are the same.x3The wider track of the DRW means the tire sidewalls need not have to support as much weight during a body roll event.If both trucks are loaded to the GVWR and assuming their springs are sized accordingly, the only difference comes in tire sidewall flex. In theory if you put soft enough tires on the DRW, it could actually experience more roll than a SRW with stiff tires. The reality is you have 2 tires per side plus more width so it would be difficult to make that happen practically.This all assumes someone hasn't messed up the suspension with something like inboard airbags pumped up too high. I once ended up behind a guy with a similar sized camper to mine but on a DRW. He was all over the place tipping back and forth while I felt barely any movement. He eventually pulled off since he was holding me up. I don't know what the issue was, but his DRW was clearly body rolling far more than our SRW.

Handling comparison: SRW vs DRW at GVW | Good Sam Community

wnjj
Explorer II
Mar 05, 2019
Grit dog wrote:
^ Spot on.
Best statement I've heard in a while....Camper doesn't ride on taxes, it rides on the truck.
Comparing apples to apples 100% except srw or dually, spring rates the same, the body roll of the truck body and camper will be identical from the springs up. Width between springs are the same.

The additional tire capacity of the dually(not the moment arm of the wider track rear end) will provide greater stability via less give in the tire(s).

Now of course all the other stuff Kayteg said also will come into play as well in anything other than a controlled experiment where all the parameters are the same.

x3

The wider track of the DRW means the tire sidewalls need not have to support as much weight during a body roll event.

If both trucks are loaded to the GVWR and assuming their springs are sized accordingly, the only difference comes in tire sidewall flex. In theory if you put soft enough tires on the DRW, it could actually experience more roll than a SRW with stiff tires. The reality is you have 2 tires per side plus more width so it would be difficult to make that happen practically.

This all assumes someone hasn't messed up the suspension with something like inboard airbags pumped up too high. I once ended up behind a guy with a similar sized camper to mine but on a DRW. He was all over the place tipping back and forth while I felt barely any movement. He eventually pulled off since he was holding me up. I don't know what the issue was, but his DRW was clearly body rolling far more than our SRW.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Mar 04, 2019
^ Spot on.
Best statement I've heard in a while....Camper doesn't ride on taxes, it rides on the truck.
Comparing apples to apples 100% except srw or dually, spring rates the same, the body roll of the truck body and camper will be identical from the springs up. Width between springs are the same.

The additional tire capacity of the dually(not the moment arm of the wider track rear end) will provide greater stability via less give in the tire(s).

Now of course all the other stuff Kayteg said also will come into play as well in anything other than a controlled experiment where all the parameters are the same.
twodownzero
Explorer
Mar 04, 2019
The acronym you want is "GVWR" and no, an srw will never be as stable when overloaded.
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Mar 04, 2019
DRW will feel more stable even when you pull a trailer with 100 lb tongue weight.
But there is lot of variables here. First seem you are comparing taxable GVW.
Camper doesn't ride on taxes, but on actual truck, so you have to compensate for differences.
Than tires make huge difference in handling heavy loads.
Than you don't calculate COG placement on campers. When 8-11" camper will put some load on front axle, the 11-11" camper will take some weight from front axle.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Mar 04, 2019
Wide stance provides more stability

Longbed provides better ride

Longbed DRW....hard to beat when AT/OVER GVWR carrying a TC

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Handling comparison: SRW vs DRW at GVW

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