Newbie to towing +Retirement
Hi, I have a 2009 TT and have it parked in a seasonal ie I have never towed it yet but always meant to. I am 3 years from retirement and am looking to probably upgrade to a 5th wheel. As retirement...
Forum Discussion
donn0128 wrote:cinker wrote:
Thanks. Yes, bumpy, I had similar concerns about driving dually around cities. but reading some of the posts on this forum, it seems that a dually takes away all the towing problems. Is there a rough indicator somewhere for mpg versus 3/4 ton versus 1 ton SRD and a dually? I understand this will vary by towing weight, but are there any average figures?
Generally speaking if you choose a fifth wheel that weighs over about 12,000 GVWR you should choose a dually
BTW driving a dually is no more difficult than driving any large vehicle. The only place I have not driven my dually is a car wash. They are not designed for them. Someone once said on these forums that the widest place on dually is the mirrors. That is true for all trucks.
Am I cautious about where I drive? Sure. With a vehicle nearly 30 feet long and weighing over 8000 pounds one would be crazy to attempt to drive it like a mini. We camp host in the summer, so the dually is our only vehicle. Know your vehicles limitations and learn to drive it properly and any sized vehicle can become second nature. My dually averages 10.5-11.5 towing and 17 non towing highway. I think that's pretty good for such a large vehicle.
Here we go again!!
You don't need a DRW to pull a 12,000# GVWR 5er, I do it with an 01 Ram, with no suspension enhancements, yes over GVWR, but well under ALL axle and tire ratings (this is not a recommendation to do, it works for me). If it is a newer 35000 SRW no issue at all, also easily within the ratings of a 2500.
Where do I drive, Donn0128 speaks about being cautious where he drives, I am assuming looking ahead and not getting into a tight spot. I will pull into parking lots, to get grocery's with the 5er in tow, you just need to look and drive accordingly.
As far as road driving, I am cautious, was taught to be a defensive driver in the beginning, that said most of our trips require driving 70 to 100 miles to the coast on State highways with many sections like the picture below, traffic on these roads moves at 55 to 60+, mostly 60, I have no issue with this.
