SRW or DRW?

3800 dry means over 5000 loaded. If you don't already own a truck it's ludicrous not to get a dually.

The limit on the rear axle is the amount of tire capacity at the rear. Stock tires provide 2 x 3195 or roughly 6400 lbs. minus the weight of the truck on the rear tires (as measured at a CAT scale). That usually leaves a 2800-3200 payload capacity.

Several ways to get around that limitation. One is to replace the stock 3195 tires with 3750 (Nitto or Toyo) rated tires to gain 1100 lbs. more load capacity at the rear axle. I did this and it cost me $500 out of pocket as I sold the factory tires on Craiglist. Second option is to replace the factory rims and tires with 19.5 rims and 19.5 tires rated at 4400 lbs. per tire which will cost you about $3500. This will increase the payload up to over 5,000 lbs. but is expensive.

Last option is to do what the manufacturers like to do which is to add two more 3195 tires (actually the tires are not going to be at maximum inflation with DRW so you gain about 80% more payload capacity). This is the easiest but the most restrictive.

With DRW the truck is 2 feet wider and no fun to drive when the camper is off the truck for personal use. There are fewer places where DRW trucks are allowed to go. Mud is more of a problem as is dealing with snow chains. You have to replace 6 tires instead of 4.

The axle and wheel bearing load ratings for heavy duty Ford trucks has been 8900 lbs. but may be greater with current trucks. For RAM and GM trucks it is 10,900 lbs.

Regardless of whether the truck is DRW or SRW there will likely be mods needed in terms of upgraded shocks and anti-sway bar (not needed with 2011 and later GM or 2014 RAM trucks.

The rear of most trucks weigh around 3000 lbs. Adding almost 4000 lbs dry weight puts you at the tire/rim limits of most stock SRW trucks. If you already own a reliable SRW, it may be worthwhile to upgrade the wheels to 19.5" and keep the the truck. If you need to buy a truck, you will be better off with a DRW which will give you more TC options and more stock weight capacity.

You will be over GVWR on any SRW with that load, but will be within capacity of the axles if you make wheel and suspension upgrades.

welsteach wrote:
Considering tc that weighs roughly 3800 dry. Would a 1 ton single rear axle be okay or do I need to look at double axle only. Please, no truck brand wars. Stick to axles. Thanks.

Is that dry with standard option or after you select options and add the weight for them to ?
As a fellow TC`er that has a SRW truck and a 2587 dry wt camper with 500 lbs of options and 360 lbs of water and propane , I`m about 3900 lbs with gear ,on the truck and ready to travel,
If you add the difference in our dry weights you could be at 4500 - 4900 lbs ,I`d go dually if you can

GVWR is easily busted with about any camper/trailer especially if you have a older 2500 (pre 2010ish). The GVWR on my dad's 06 truck (same as my sig truck but 06 and 2500) is 9000lbs.. my truck weighs 8430lbs right now with standard stuff in the tool box, empty bed, full fuel and no driver. Based on the BS GVWR a 2500 would only have a useful payload of 570lbs and my 3500 is only 1470.... Something is wrong there, and probably why the current version of my truck has a 12,300 GVWR.

I do know that Dodge used the same frame on my generation for a QC LB 2500 Hemi as a 3500 DRW Diesel, which was rated at 12,300. So as long as I don't exceed tires or 12,300 I don't worry. With the 19.5's I am good for as much as I can feasibly throw at it. Most camping trips put me at 10,300-10,800 GVW and I have been as high at 11,200 without a trailer.

Point being is know the ratings, even if they aren't what is on your paper/door, for the parts being used. My frame and axles are given ratings on DRW's that are much higher than my SRW so with proper mods it's easy enough to make it all work SRW.

My 3100 dry weight camper is well over 4,000 ready to camp. I used to carry it on a SRW 3500. I switched to a dually. Driving out my garage, down the drive way, and onto the highway was far enough to tell a huge imporvement in bounce and sway with the dually.
Could you make a SRW work with that load? Probably if it's a fairly new truck (2011 or newer) and you spent lots of money on 19.5" wheels and tires as well as other upgrades.
I'd get the dually. You'll still probably be over the GVWR of the truck. Most people with TCs are.

3800 dry will quickly grow to 4500+, not to include occupants.

You are in DRW territory or, if the roads you drive don't like DRW, 19.5" Single wheels.

Your RAW will probably be around 3000-3500 lbs depending on may factors before dropping a camper in. Nearly all of the camper weigh will hit the rear axle. 6K-7Klbs is about the limit on your typical 17" and 18" LRE tires. For 17" you are closer to 6400lbs, and some 18's will get you the 7K. There are some larger options (285/75R17) that can get you to about 8K on an axle if the wheels will support it, and you want that big of a tire.

My dad's Lance has a "dry" weight of 2600lbs, but on the scale loaded for camping it's closer to adding 4K lbs to the truck.

All in all you need more than a standard LRE tire will provide, either by going with 2 extra LRE's on a DRW or going with a LRG on a 19.5 (my 19.5's are 4500lbs a tire).

Get the dually.

Are you referring to a truck with two axles or dually wheels

Two Axles


Dually Wheels


Roy ken

welsteach wrote:
Considering tc that weighs roughly 3800 dry. Would a 1 ton single rear axle be okay or do I need to look at double axle only. Please, no truck brand wars. Stick to axles. Thanks.

You'll end up exceeding the tire/rim ratings, some choose the SRW but upgrade with aftermarket tire/rim combos that can handle the weight.