As stated in another post, we are considering going to a 5th wheel instead of a Class A. So I have another question.I know I’m going to need a 3500 series diesel truck to pull the 15,500 GVWR 5th wheel I’m looking at getting.I would like to get a 4x4, 4 door single wheeled short bed (6.4) truck if all possible.What are the advantages of duel WHEELS and an 8’ bed? Are they really necessary to haul a 38’ to 40’ 5th wheel?My plan is the travel for 6 months of the year out west. We’ll be staying in an area for about a month at a time.

You are talking "dual wheels" not dual axles.Dual wheels give more stability to the TV while hooked to a load.

You are asking about dual rear wheels (DRW) not dual axles like a semi truck.Here's my opinion-DRW- more stability I've towed with several single rear wheels and a couple of DRWs. The DRW feels much more stable on curves, stopping and quick maneuvers. Another advantage is extra tires in case of tire failure. You'll be able to limp off the highway to a safer place to get tires changed.8ft bed- more room to carry the extra stuff. In 20 years of towing a 38ft 5th wheel I have never been in a spot where a long bed prevented me from going where I wanted to be.4X4- unless you live where there is mud or snow many days each year, it's rare that you will need to use four wheel drive. I had it on one truck and only needed it once when towing and that was to get up a hill in a campground, I could have chosen a different campsite if I only had two wheel drive.Hope this helps...good luck with your new rig.

The primary reason for a dually is the higher payload capacity. That weight of that trailer may have a pin weight that would require a dually. Many claim you need a dually (DRW) for the stability or you will be "white knuckled" the whole time you are towing. But stability is not a problem with single rear wheels (SRW) as long as you are within the truck load rating.

As far as 8' bed is concerned it is a matter of personal preference. The longer bed rides smoother when empty, adds storage space, and precludes any possibility of the corner of the trailer striking the cab in sharp turns. The standard 6 1/2' works just fine for many, it is more maneuverable and easier to park. Trailer to cab interference can be an issue although many trailers have the front corner recessed to prevent collisions. If it is a problem pin box extensions and slider hitches are available. With our crew cab we much prefer the standard box in mall parking lots.

BB_TX wrote:The primary reason for a dually is the higher payload capacity. That weight of that trailer may have a pin weight that would require a dually. Many claim you need a dually (DRW) for the stability or you will be "white knuckled" the whole time you are towing. But stability is not a problem with single rear wheels (SRW) as long as you are within the truck load rating.^^^ This! The axle rating (axle manufacturer not vehicle manufacturer) is very high, the weight capacity is limited by the wheel/tire bolted to it, and the spring pack sitting on top of it. The difference between the SRW and DRW axle is the width... Think about all the people that go to 19.5" wheels for the higher weight capacity.The longer wheelbase of the 8' bed will result in a slightly better ride in most conditions. I owned a handful of duallys and a few SRW. For the trailer and use you describe, it would be a no-brainer DRW truck for you. Load how you want and not be on the edge of tire capacity.

Single or Double Rear Wheels? | Good Sam Community

36 Replies

recycler
Explorer
Aug 03, 2015
OP I would go with a daully for a trailer that size as I would wager it's 13'6" tall and is a HUGE sail. I've seen single wheel trucks pulling trailers that size going down the road and it makes my back side pucker watching them wiggle. We've haven't messed up the fenders on my brother's Chevy daully and it's used in the woods for firewood when not pulling his Cougar toy hauler. And I give him grief about his truck not being big enough and it's a crew cab.
hotpepperkid
Explorer
Aug 02, 2015
That weigh ticket looks quite line mine
steer axle 4700
drive axle 5560
trailer axle 8560
total 18820
I was loaded as heavy as I will ever get
Water tank full, extra 20 gal of water, generator large cooler that holds 3 30 packs a case of water and 24 misc other beverages and 100 lbs of ice. Fire wood stuffed in ever crack possible and 66 gals of fuel 5 gal gas for gen
NC_Hauler
Explorer
Aug 01, 2015
Thats a lot of stuff not to be noticed:B
Dog_Folks
Explorer
Jul 31, 2015
transamz9 wrote:
NC Hauler wrote:
transamz9 wrote:
Dog Folks wrote:
jerem0621 wrote:
Dog Folks wrote:

Banged fenders are a result of poor driving. Plain and simple. If you can't drive a bigger truck, get a single.

It's not quite that simple...dually fenders take a beating from road debris like small rocks, sand, dirt, etc....

Dually fenders are VERY susceptible to door dings in parking lots. I don't care if you park in the back-40 you will come out of the store and sure as the world someone will have parked their car within 2 inches of your Dually fender....at least that was my experience.

My Dually never had a problem at drive thru's and banks. Parking garages were another story entirely.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

Interesting.

My dually fenders have no damage from road debris in 10 years.

Close parking now and then sure, but letting the air out of the offenders tires helps. (Just kidding)

I had a guy try letting the air out of the tires on my dually once in a parking lot because he got mad because I was parked so close to his truck. I was in the restaurant placing a togo order when my wife called me (she was in the truck) and said there was a guy letting the air out of my tires. I ran out and caught him keeled down letting the air out of my outside rear tire. When he saw me he got up and asked me why I had to park so close to his truck and got in and took off. All I could do was laugh. I mean I could have been a real *ss and backed into the spot and blocked his door. It was a small stip mall and I had no other parking spot available. There was people waiting to park in the street.:S

......guess he didn't think about when he let the air out of the two outer tires you STILL had to inner tires to take you to get more air:B

I guess he also didn't notice the big air compressor mounted right above him on the truck bed. Lol

He also did not notice the shotgun in the rear window. :B
transamz9
Explorer
Jul 31, 2015
NC Hauler wrote:
transamz9 wrote:
Dog Folks wrote:
jerem0621 wrote:
Dog Folks wrote:

Banged fenders are a result of poor driving. Plain and simple. If you can't drive a bigger truck, get a single.

It's not quite that simple...dually fenders take a beating from road debris like small rocks, sand, dirt, etc....

Dually fenders are VERY susceptible to door dings in parking lots. I don't care if you park in the back-40 you will come out of the store and sure as the world someone will have parked their car within 2 inches of your Dually fender....at least that was my experience.

My Dually never had a problem at drive thru's and banks. Parking garages were another story entirely.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

Interesting.

My dually fenders have no damage from road debris in 10 years.

Close parking now and then sure, but letting the air out of the offenders tires helps. (Just kidding)

I had a guy try letting the air out of the tires on my dually once in a parking lot because he got mad because I was parked so close to his truck. I was in the restaurant placing a togo order when my wife called me (she was in the truck) and said there was a guy letting the air out of my tires. I ran out and caught him keeled down letting the air out of my outside rear tire. When he saw me he got up and asked me why I had to park so close to his truck and got in and took off. All I could do was laugh. I mean I could have been a real *ss and backed into the spot and blocked his door. It was a small stip mall and I had no other parking spot available. There was people waiting to park in the street.:S

......guess he didn't think about when he let the air out of the two outer tires you STILL had to inner tires to take you to get more air:B

I guess he also didn't notice the big air compressor mounted right above him on the truck bed. Lol
BB_TX
Nomad
Jul 31, 2015
I would love to see dually drivers, at least local ones, learn to judge their width better. I live on a rural highway. A very good highway with the exception it is narrow with no shoulders and mailboxes about 2' off the edge of the pavement. About half the DRW drivers drive with the driver side outer wheel (and fender) across the center strip, apparently for fear of hitting mailboxes even though they still have a lot of pavement left. Some move over as you approach, some don't.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Jul 31, 2015
Ok.......Now I have to pull mine out!

OP I guarantee you you will be thrilled with a 5er after owning a MH! I also guarantee you will want a bigger one within 3 years!

So I highly recommend you get one of these so you can safely tow something like what's behind it!

32,500# combine with 9,580# sitting on the rear tires and the rear air ride keeps the truck set at the proper stance.
jerem0621
Explorer II
Jul 31, 2015
NC Hauler wrote:
lawnspecialties wrote:
Dog Folks wrote:
jerem0621 wrote:
Dog Folks wrote:

Banged fenders are a result of poor driving. Plain and simple. If you can't drive a bigger truck, get a single.

It's not quite that simple...dually fenders take a beating from road debris like small rocks, sand, dirt, etc....

Dually fenders are VERY susceptible to door dings in parking lots. I don't care if you park in the back-40 you will come out of the store and sure as the world someone will have parked their car within 2 inches of your Dually fender....at least that was my experience.

My Dually never had a problem at drive thru's and banks. Parking garages were another story entirely.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

Interesting.

My dually fenders have no damage from road debris in 10 years.

Close parking now and then sure, but letting the air out of the offenders tires helps. (Just kidding)

Impressive. My former F450 (2011) had small rock chips within 10,000 miles on the rear fenders. I only drove it on the interstates but due to the design, it just happened.

No rock chips on any of the dually's I've owned and I spent quite a bit of time on the interstate as well as on secondary roads. And, as stated, MY dually had no fender damage on any of the dually's I"ve owned since 05'. Truck I owned now has almost 33,000 miles on it and I've owned it for 2 yrs, 3 months, no problems...Not saying it can't happen, but thank goodness, I've not experienced such issues in 10 years.

Impressive...my dually fenders on my 99 F350 accumulated a some scratches and rock chips...I however, did not have side steps.

Thanks!

Jeremiah
Winged_One
Explorer
Jul 31, 2015
Were your chips down by the bottom edge?

On my 13 they greatly increased the pad to protect the fender. In fact, back in 2013 while traveling, 2 fellows came over just to check out the additional padding that they complained was not on theirs. Yes, it was odd to have them checking out the pads only on my new truck. LOL

I have not had the major issues with chips either. Then again, I drive mostly on pavement. I get many more chips on the front of my vehicles (all kinds) than anywhere else.
lawnspecialties
Explorer
Jul 31, 2015
Mine was a 2011 F450. It had those 5" running boards. I think that's the biggest Ford offered in the "decorative" type. It was quite a disappointment but at least I don't have the truck anymore.

It was this one.