I have two trucks. I am getting tired of an excess fleet of vehicles - one as a daily driver and the truck camper hauler.I've contemplated going to an SRW truck for camper hauling duties.The 2011+ GM trucks have higher GVWRs than 2010 and prior.Case in point:2015s I've look at: SRW 3500HD = 11,600. DRW = 13,025.My 09 3500HD DRW = 11,200.A camper dealer I talked to said they have never put an AF811 on a DRW. They actually thought it was odd that I was hauling mine on a dually.I also suffer from something called "SOS" (Shiny Object Syndrome) and have gotten sucked in when looking at shiny new trucks. The new ones have lots of whiz-bang features. The Exhaust brake would be awesome.Even though the GVWRs of new trucks 3500 SRWs surpass that of my dually, I have this gut feeling I will kick myself down the road if I went to an SRW.I almost always tow a trailer when I have the camper on the truck.I can't see myself getting a huge camper. If I went with a different camper, it would be an 865 AF (no slideout on those, but they are slightly longer than an 811)Your thoughts? SRW or DRW?

Coming from someone that has run SRW from the beginning, but is looking to move into DRW for our current AF camper, my vote would be to stay with DRW- especially considering the trailer! Before you make the final decision, roll onto a scale fully loaded... it was a lesson for this guy!BBF

deltabravo wrote:A camper dealer I talked to said they have never put an AF811 on a DRW. They actually thought it was odd that I was hauling mine on a dually.Ever seen a Wolf Creek on a Dually :)My dodge 2006 3500 SRW was over GVW by a couple hundred lbs with just (wet) camper, and I tow a 7x14 trailer. I was also at the weight capacity of my rear tires. (Plus I also have SOS). I figure buy my last truck now (while still working) instead of trying to make payments during retirement.I also run 2 trucks, but my daily driver is a little S10

BigBlockFord wrote:Before you make the final decision, roll onto a scale fully loaded... it was a lesson for this guy!I was overweight before I even loaded the camper with gear. This is on my way home from buying the camper back in 2009.In the photo above, I had about 2/3 a tank of water, 2 full propane tanks and two batteries.The dealer I bought my camper from is not the same dealer that recently told me it was odd I was hauling it on a dually.

I moved from a SRW to a DRW primarily because I no longer needed the SRW and could get by with a DRW. If you go to a SRW, a couple of things to keep in mind. The SBCC is about as bad as it gets. That is, the TC is as far as possible from the front wheels and over a concentrated area since you'll also have overhang. To maximize the performance, I'd go with a Extended cab long bed. That being said, you get the best of both worlds by having both. You will compromise if you go to a SRW. I was fine, but it also meant that I had to pay more attention to what I was carrying even down to deciding if I carried a full water tank or not. I can't say it is a night and day difference if you go to 19.5s, better shocks, and stable loads or extended bump stops. But, I did that.The DRW I have now has way more tire capacity. I will say my DW likes the DRW better and especially likes the CC for putting stuff in the back. It's also got a nicer interior, geared differently, and turns way tighter since it is a F450.

This is the trailer I haul:I used to have a 6x12 for the truck camper toy box, but I sold it last year and converted the 20 footer to toy box duties.

Truck contemplations.... | Good Sam Community

deltabravo
Nomad
Aug 27, 2015
ooops, duplicate post. please delete
deltabravo
Nomad
Aug 27, 2015
Then there's this thread too.

Shiny Object Syndrome has hit me hard the last few weeks.
deltabravo
Nomad
Aug 27, 2015
I've even gone as far as reconsidering a toy hauler, to eliminate the RV and Trailer aspect of my adventures, combining both into "one unit" and moving to an SRW.

But, there's too many other things that I use the trailer for, so I think a truck/camper/trailer combo is still my best option when I want to camp with my motorized toys.
Bedlam
Moderator
Aug 27, 2015
I made my paid off SRW work well hauling an AF811 while towing a 20' enclosed trailer. However, I don't think I would buy a SRW knowing how many modifications I needed to make the ride safe. Unless you are constrained for space when using the truck without the camper or have homeowner rules that prevent you from keeping the truck at the house, a DRW will do the same job with less modifications. Any cost saving of buying a SRW and modifying it to handle the weight properly with wheel and suspension upgrades will end up costing you as much or more than a DRW. The SRW will save you in insurance and fuel costs but some items will wear faster than in the DRW counterpart which may eliminate those savings.
lonegunman
Explorer
Aug 27, 2015
Being new to the subject and owning an 865, I can promise you that if you buy one loaded up, it will be at the limit for an SRW 3500 or F-350 before you add a trailer.

Mine rides and drives perfectly fine, but if I ever replace my truck, a DRW truck is in my future.
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Aug 27, 2015
towpro wrote:

that picture shows your already over that SRW 11,600 lbs.

And knowing camper weight distribution, SRW are overloaded by 20-30%
My dually drives 75% empty.
Cost more? My SRW F250 with 7.3 engine was making 13-14 mpg, the 6l engine on newer truck makes 16mpg @70mph day long.
New truck offers not only more whistles, but better power and fuel economy, but research the engines as too often truck manufacturers sell lemons.
I bought my 2007 dually cheap enough becouse it come with troublesome 6l engine, but I am aware that if engine blew, I will just junk the thing.
Can't imagine doing that to $50,000 new truck.
jmtandem
Explorer II
Aug 27, 2015
Good point. And since I tow nearly all the time when I have the camper, stability is a more important factor I need to keep in mind.

Ah yes.... and I remember the first trip I took with the camper (truck broke 2000 miles on the ODO that trip.) Price, UT south on HWY 6 to I-70... major cross wind. Truck handled it superbly, other than having to counter steer into the wind. STABLE!!

For a truck camper plus a trailer I would definately stay with the dually. You can satisify the shiny new truck syndrome with a new dually.
Johndanielscpa
Explorer
Aug 27, 2015
I had a 990 on a SRW for 5 years without realizing how mismatched that combination was. I even had airbags to help offset the right side lean. Replaced the SRW with a dually and was astonished at the difference. Even though yours is a somewhat smaller TC, it's not that much smaller. Given you are also pulling a trailer, my opinion is for you to stick with the dually. Why paint yourself into a corner with an SRW.
deltabravo
Nomad
Aug 27, 2015
kerry4951 wrote:
My vote would be to keep what you have. I think an older DRW truck is going to give more stability than a newer SRW truck, even if the new payload numbers are higher.

Good point. And since I tow nearly all the time when I have the camper, stability is a more important factor I need to keep in mind.

Ah yes.... and I remember the first trip I took with the camper (truck broke 2000 miles on the ODO that trip.) Price, UT south on HWY 6 to I-70... major cross wind. Truck handled it superbly, other than having to counter steer into the wind. STABLE!!
deltabravo
Nomad
Aug 27, 2015
towpro wrote:
that picture shows your already over that SRW 11,600 lbs.

ROGER THAT!! LOL.

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