Pickup truck tow vehicle stability tests

goducks10 wrote:
So it boils down to a wash depending on who you agree with. And add into it that a 2500 is the same as a 3500 sans rear springs. So in that sense a 2500 could tow what a DRW does. That makes sense doesn't it? :)

In the 13 and up RAM trucks the 2500 SRW is not the same as the 3500 SRW.

Cummins12V98 wrote:
When traveling West on I-10 where the windmills are with the SRW I could feel the wind whenever it was blowing. With the Dually I rarely feel the wind there I have to look at the foliage along the road to see if it is windy.

Which is interesting, as I rarely feel the wind in my SRW. The only time I can really feel it is when there are large gust spreads... which are the same kind of gusts that I feel towing or not, and the kind that will actually try to open the door with the wind across the roof.

goducks10 wrote:
So it boils down to a wash depending on who you agree with. And add into it that a 2500 is the same as a 3500 sans rear springs. So in that sense a 2500 could tow what a DRW does. That makes sense doesn't it? :)

Heck my 3500 SRW has a higher tow rating than a DRW of the same year/gear. It just depends on what is being towed if you can actually get there with a stock SRW.

So it boils down to a wash depending on who you agree with. And add into it that a 2500 is the same as a 3500 sans rear springs. So in that sense a 2500 could tow what a DRW does. That makes sense doesn't it? :)

"Just to clarify, you have towed the same load with a SRW?"

If I did the 5K pin would pop the rear tires!

I have towed a properly setup SRW and 5er combo and it was night and day difference.

Also I rolled over with a properly equipped SRW towing a trailer and later towed the same rig with a Dually without and sway control and it was rock solid.

When traveling West on I-10 where the windmills are with the SRW I could feel the wind whenever it was blowing. With the Dually I rarely feel the wind there I have to look at the foliage along the road to see if it is windy.

NC Hauler wrote:

wnjj wrote:

Huntindog wrote:

Bedlam wrote:
Maybe some us had really well performing SRW's that the delta between them and DRW is not that much. My F250 with modified suspension and 19.5" wheels did extremely well with the weight it hauled plus towing weight behind it. Now that I have DRW, the biggest change I feel is how the heavier stock spring pack handles the same weight verses my modified suspension.

So now we are talking about modified trucks?

SO SPEND SOME MONEY ON YOUR DUALLY AND MODIFY IT!!

Oh thats right, there is no need.:B

You missed the point completely. His point was the suspension system on the DRW is the primary reason why they "feel" more stable. Unless you're actually to the point of almost rolling your rig, the width isn't so important. A wider stance just means less force is needed at the tire(s) to prevent tilting. A strong single tire at a narrow stance can certainly resist tilting as well as a weaker one(s) at a wide stance but most would not like riding on that firm of a tire.

So if you have the same wheels and tires on both trucks, all with same air pressure, where those that put your analogy, ??? It's not JUST the suspension....the WIDER WIDTH of the truck will stabilize what is setting above it, (very basic physics).. It's not OBVIOUS "tilting", it's cornering and less sway with what is setting over the truck, which help the rest of the 5er track a little better....It's not like the difference in "night" and "day", it's just enough difference with a heavier, high profile 5er, towing on mountainous, curvy roads that one would tell a difference....I did, and it wasn't because I "wanted to believe it"...it is what it is and the MAJORITY of the people that normally reply to these post will agree with what I've said... The majority, and I said majority, that have actually owned and towed with both will agree that the dually offers a more stable towing experience, (and some, like me have been able to compare towing the same unit over the same terrain to see and feel it first hand..not just hear say, one way or the other).

Do the search on this forum or any other camping forum and see what you come up with. Or do a Poll on this forum...

I never once discounted your experience so please don't put words in my mouth. You were comparing two different trucks that had a different width, different number of rear tires and different spring rates on their suspensions. You cannot say how much each contributes to the more stable towing. I completely agree that your DRW will be considerably more stable than your SRW.

However, if you took both trucks and blocked the suspension and put on solid tires you probably wouldn't notice any difference.

Basic high school physics says if takes less force to tip a narrower object over (of the same weight), but we aren't tipping our trucks and lifting wheels when we're cornering and being hit by wind, we're pivoting the truck frame on the suspension and tires.

NC Hauler wrote:

45Ricochet wrote:
LINK :B

Don't know if you could get more basic or simpler than that Rick:B

ON EDIT: BUT..if the legs on the wider table are weaker than the one on the narrower table...it would...uh, never mind:)

Very simple page... but unless you guys all drive around with your inside tires in the air it doesn't apply.

Where does the truck pivot? The springs, which are the same width SRW to DRW. Increased spring rate, higher on a loaded DRW than a loaded SRW, is a big increase in stability.

06Fargo wrote:
7 pages on....

So there hasn't been any controlled conditions measured tests of "stability" that we know of, right?

I don't know of anyone, anywhere that has done that....There have been several in here who have given you "real world" experiences, having towed the same 5er over the same terrain with both....no one trying to sell anyone a dually....guess at this point you glean what you can and go from there.....speculations aside.

7 pages on....

So there hasn't been any controlled conditions measured tests of "stability" that we know of, right?

45Ricochet wrote:
LINK :B

Don't know if you could get more basic or simpler than that Rick:B

ON EDIT: BUT..if the legs on the wider table are weaker than the one on the narrower table...it would...uh, never mind:)

LINK :B