Towing > 40ft - drw vs srw?

TakingThe5th wrote:
Two days ago I was driving the interstate solo in my DRV. It seemed like it might be windy because cars were being blown around and grass and trash and SRVs were also blowing in the crosswinds. I've had the same experience lashed to the 5er. Really a nice ride! So if a new SRV can perform the same as my 'ol DRV - just think how well a new DRV must handle.

Redwoodcamper wrote:
I have towed many different goosneck loads between 15-30k lbs in both single and drw trucks. There really is no comparison. It can be done with a srw truck, but stability and feel is completely different. Under 15k or in a pinch it can be done safely with srw. If you tow regularly over 15k it isn't much of a choice.
Obviously it is silly to talk about total trailer weight when the rawr is what matters, and most fifth wheels over 14k or so overweight the ratings of the rear tires and axle. Losing a rear tire at 60+ with 8k+lbs on the rear of your truck is not fun.

NCRugRat wrote:
I have a triple axle toy hauler with a top weight of 18k pounds. Four years ago I research the heck out of the type of tow vehicle to get and decided on a drw. I ended up with a 2009 F-450, but unfortunately someone decided to pull out in front of me last week and it totaled my truck. Now I’m in the market again and it’s just hard to find a good drw for a good price. I am still leaning towards a drw, but maybe it’s overkill. I notice a lot of people towing similar or larger campers with srw 350 or 3500s. My question is for those people - do you feel safe or wish you had gone with a drw? How about any sway? I do mostly flat towing with very little mountains. I appreciate any comments and it sucks to have to look for a new truck. My F-450 was solid.

memtb wrote:

4x4ord wrote:
I consider an 18000 lb trailer a light trailer even though most rv's are lighter than that. I tow much heavier than 18000 lbs with my SRW. If I didn't feel safe doing it I would use a bigger truck.....I've got lots of trucks. I think the 3500 GMCs are is rated for 17600 lbs. Alot of dually guys haven't hauled with a new style SRW pickup. Pulling my 16000 lb rv with my SRW is a very relaxing experience.

X2!!

I’m sure that a DRW, could/would be slightly more stable/ comfortable when towing, but....for those of us that “do not” have a dedicated tow rig, the SRW is more practical for daily use. Especially....if daily use includes off-road use, and/or snow and ice! JMO

On a new truck, your axle rating will likely be more than adequate. But...you should consider upgrading tires/rims for the pin weight of the unit. We have Rickson Wheels 5000 load rated...each) and 19.5” tires (4800 lb rating...each). As a side note....we’re running Hankook DH07 245/70R/19.5. They are “very” slightly taller than our stock tires, giving us a two(2) mph error at 60 mph!

They work well for highway use, and have good off-road traction (mud and snow). Very quiet when “not” towing, but get a little “whine” under load. The “whine” is minor, and doesn’t give us issue.

Huntindog wrote:

4x4ord wrote:
I consider an 18000 lb trailer a light trailer even though most rv's are lighter than that. I tow much heavier than 18000 lbs with my SRW. If I didn't feel safe doing it I would use a bigger truck.....I've got lots of trucks. I think the 3500 GMCs are is rated for 17600 lbs. Alot of dually guys haven't hauled with a new style SRW pickup. Pulling my 16000 lb rv with my SRW is a very relaxing experience.

This post is all over the map.
You say you tow much heavier than 18K. Then say the new GMCs are rated for less than that (17,600).
Then say that towing your even lighter 16K trailer is easy....

Too much Eggnog?


OP, you won't be happy with a SRW. and it would be an expensive experiment to try it, then end up buying a DRW in the end,