Still can't decide between DRW or SRW?

I was just noting that it isn't a reasonable comparison to make when we're talking about 3-5K added to a pickup vs 12-25K added to a big rig. At some point it is no longer feasible to spread the load over a minimal amount of tires. I'm not convinced that 3-5K meets that threshold.

Im certain the upgraded 19.5 wheel/tire makes a difference, im not convinced it would put a srw truck in the same category as a drw truck.

Im no expert and only gave my opinions of what I knew of on my past and current trucks.

1jeep wrote:

jshupe wrote:

1jeep wrote:
Your not going to convince me that a different suspension on a srw truck would perform the same as a drw truck that not only has a wider rear stance but also wider front axle.

Sorry, im done with this.

According to this, they have the same front track width....

Some reason I tell myself no but I keep coming back.

My 2016 DRW has the heavy tow with the wide track front axle like the F450 has, this gives it a wider stance and also allows for a tighter turning radius.

I really hope some of those big rig manufacturers are reading this, they have been wasting their time and money by adding extra tires to the rear when they could just come out with tires rated for a heavier load.

If I were much heavier, I'd go to a dually instead 19.5s. Duallys have their place... I'm not so sure it matters all that much when you're only talking about 4K added to the rear axle.

At 8K, though, that's the difference between adding 4000# to two tires or only 2000# to four. I wouldn't be willing to add 2000# to stock tires. I did that a couple times when I first got the trailer and worried constantly.

19.5s offer a lot more stability, but almost equally important to me, peace of mind. I would think that it becomes exponentially more important as the weight increases, but at the numbers I'm looking at, it just isn't that critical to go DRW with the given options. On a big rig with 12-25K added to the rear axle, spreading that load over multiple tires becomes a lot more important.

jshupe wrote:

1jeep wrote:
Your not going to convince me that a different suspension on a srw truck would perform the same as a drw truck that not only has a wider rear stance but also wider front axle.

Sorry, im done with this.

According to this, they have the same front track width....

Some reason I tell myself no but I keep coming back.

My 2016 DRW has the heavy tow with the wide track front axle like the F450 has, this gives it a wider stance and also allows for a tighter turning radius.

I really hope some of those big rig manufacturers are reading this, they have been wasting their time and money by adding extra tires to the rear when they could just come out with tires rated for a heavier load.

transamz9 wrote:

jshupe wrote:

Bedlam wrote:

transamz9 wrote:

1jeep wrote:
I had a 2011 f250 crew cab long bed with the 6.7 and 3:55 gears running 20" wheels, I expected a little improvement, but this for a welcomed improvement.

Don't get me wrong I still know there is a trailer back there....look in the mirror there's 38' of it! I can tell the extra wheels helped in the first 20 miles.

So did the extra tires help or the fact the F350 has more spring and a sway bar?

I'm convinced that tire sidewall squish in a SRW can be minimized by going to 19.5's. This will give you the equivalent of running a DRW with 17's on the rear that have a softer sidewalls but twice the number of them.

Spring rate also has much to do with how solid the rear feels. If you have springs that are rated for 5000 lbs verses 3500 lbs which do you think will feel more stable under load?

Stabilizer bars are available on SRW's as OEM or aftermarket options. Typically the DRW will have them as standard equipment. If your SRW did not have one, you can bet there is more sway than a DRW.

The wide stance of a DRW adding to stability is a fallacy unless your axle was hard mounted to the frame. The frame width is the same for a DRW and SRW which is where your suspension attaches - This is where increased width using the same rated springs would make a difference.

I will tip toward some DRW's for better braking than their SRW counterparts, but this really only becomes an issue if hauling weight verses towing it since heavy trailers have their own braking systems.

If you were able to do a blind test of a stock DRW and a DRW singled out with 19.5's, I think you would have a hard time telling the difference other than less rear tire scrub in turns with the singles. I chose this as comparison, because all the components would identical with the exception of the number and size of wheels to prove you don't need a DRW for stability.

Good point about the suspension. The kit Kelderman sells for my truck has the same components whether for a 2500 or 3500, SRW or DRW, and includes a massive sway bar. I'm really excited to see what kind of ride I get from it. The only thing I'm slightly worried about is that if I'm unhappy with towing, there is very little I can do to firm up the suspension and prevent roll. Other aftermarket parts won't apply anymore. Fairly confident this won't be an issue, though, as I've been told by numerous people, including owners, that it reduces roll compared to a stock truck.

Their are a couple different ways that you can run the air system. One will be to have both bags plumbed to the same air source. The other is to have them plumbed separately. Also, don't confuse a saway bar with a panhard bar. One is used for body roll control and one is used to hold the axle center on a 4-link suspension.

I installed a 4-link air suspension under my 2005 Ram. I believe you are going to be loving it.

I bought the auto-leveling kit that adjusts both bags independently based on height sensors. Glad to hear another good experience with this kind of system. You can see the size of the sway bar in this photo... panhard bar in there, too.

jshupe wrote:

Bedlam wrote:

transamz9 wrote:

1jeep wrote:
I had a 2011 f250 crew cab long bed with the 6.7 and 3:55 gears running 20" wheels, I expected a little improvement, but this for a welcomed improvement.

Don't get me wrong I still know there is a trailer back there....look in the mirror there's 38' of it! I can tell the extra wheels helped in the first 20 miles.

So did the extra tires help or the fact the F350 has more spring and a sway bar?

I'm convinced that tire sidewall squish in a SRW can be minimized by going to 19.5's. This will give you the equivalent of running a DRW with 17's on the rear that have a softer sidewalls but twice the number of them.

Spring rate also has much to do with how solid the rear feels. If you have springs that are rated for 5000 lbs verses 3500 lbs which do you think will feel more stable under load?

Stabilizer bars are available on SRW's as OEM or aftermarket options. Typically the DRW will have them as standard equipment. If your SRW did not have one, you can bet there is more sway than a DRW.

The wide stance of a DRW adding to stability is a fallacy unless your axle was hard mounted to the frame. The frame width is the same for a DRW and SRW which is where your suspension attaches - This is where increased width using the same rated springs would make a difference.

I will tip toward some DRW's for better braking than their SRW counterparts, but this really only becomes an issue if hauling weight verses towing it since heavy trailers have their own braking systems.

If you were able to do a blind test of a stock DRW and a DRW singled out with 19.5's, I think you would have a hard time telling the difference other than less rear tire scrub in turns with the singles. I chose this as comparison, because all the components would identical with the exception of the number and size of wheels to prove you don't need a DRW for stability.

Good point about the suspension. The kit Kelderman sells for my truck has the same components whether for a 2500 or 3500, SRW or DRW, and includes a massive sway bar. I'm really excited to see what kind of ride I get from it. The only thing I'm slightly worried about is that if I'm unhappy with towing, there is very little I can do to firm up the suspension and prevent roll. Other aftermarket parts won't apply anymore. Fairly confident this won't be an issue, though, as I've been told by numerous people, including owners, that it reduces roll compared to a stock truck.

Their are a couple different ways that you can run the air system. One will be to have both bags plumbed to the same air source. The other is to have them plumbed separately. Also, don't confuse a saway bar with a panhard bar. One is used for body roll control and one is used to hold the axle center on a 4-link suspension.

I installed a 4-link air suspension under my 2005 Ram. I believe you are going to be loving it.

1jeep wrote:
Your not going to convince me that a different suspension on a srw truck would perform the same as a drw truck that not only has a wider rear stance but also wider front axle.

Sorry, im done with this.

Sorry you live so far away because I could convince you with one ride in my 2005 Ram 2500 towing your trailer.;)

I'm not trying to say you made a wrong decision with your purchase I'm just trying to prove a point that everyone thinks that a DRW truck handles a load better solely because they have two extra tires. This is not the case. Go get you a 2000 F350 DRW and a 2016 F350 SRW and hook to a 20,000# Fifth Wheel and take it for a spin. No one will have to convince you which one handles the load better.

topic is regularly beat to death.

Really gets down to personal preference.

~

1jeep wrote:
Your not going to convince me that a different suspension on a srw truck would perform the same as a drw truck that not only has a wider rear stance but also wider front axle.

Sorry, im done with this.

According to this, they have the same front track width....

Your not going to convince me that a different suspension on a srw truck would perform the same as a drw truck that not only has a wider rear stance but also wider front axle.

Sorry, im done with this.