Hello, I have had a 2002 Ford F250 diesel Longbed supercab and now a 2011 Chev 2500hd diesel Supercab Longbed, but want to get a bigger Truck Camper, 4300lb dry, so I need a large DRW diesel vehicle.What are the down sides to owning, driving, parking a large DRW/ Dually?

I am not against a DRW, just want to know what I am in for!

I use my DRW truck as a daily driver. For me, its just like driving any other vehicle. Probably the only drawback that I can think of is certain parking situations. For example, when I park at the mall or other parking lots, I tend to park away from others so I can utilize two front to back spaces. But then I always park further away than most even if I have my personal car since I dont like those nasty door dings from others who dont care, so Im used to the extra walk.

In Florida it is considered a commercial vehicle. Of course as stated before it is big to maneuver in a parking lot or traffic.

Just need to get used to the wider body. No real downside. If you're used to a TC, the dually shouldn't be much different, I'd think.

Some one once said the widest part of a dually is still the mirrors. I also daily drove my dually for about a year. It is not something I would want to do downtown in traffic, but other than finding parking places, and that is more the length than width driving my dually is no worse or better than driving any large vehicle. Except maybe when it comes to towing. Then it wins hands down.

What Are The Upsides & Downsides To Driving A DRW Truck?

M_GO_BLUE1
Explorer
May 13, 2013
NONE...one of the best trucks out there
dakonthemountai
Explorer
May 13, 2013
Bingo! It is whatever works for you and what you want to do. It's an individual choice based on all the above. :)

Dak
Sheriffdoug
Explorer
May 13, 2013
In Australia Dodge Ram 3500hd Longbed crewcab diesel Dually will be considered a Truck.
The Laramie model is what I am considering buying, so it has all the creature comforts for driver & passengers.
I have experience about checking tire pressures for dual rims.
Thanks, once again!
Sheriffdoug
Explorer
May 13, 2013
Thank You for all your replies.
Yes their would be six tires at Australian Prices.
I currently park further away to get a better safer, shadier spot, even with the wife's car.
Turning circles, wide hips and questions about strange looking vehicle don't me, having had many other different vehicles.
One thing that has always concerned me with SRW is a blowout, a DRW surely will be much safer weather it be a front or rear blowout.
With a previously owned Mitsubishi Canter DRW truck, I lost a rear wheel once, sheered of the nuts within days of purchase, fixed & replaced by dealer, DRW, much safer, for big loads.
Yes I will get lower fuel economy, not that bad though!
In Australia as US Pickups are pretty rare, about as rare as seeing a Truck Camper in the States, that don't bother me.
I will have my 2010 Red Candy Apple Mustang V6 Supercharged Coupe for normal type daily driver.
It's all about safety, amenity & comfort.
I think Ram 3500hd hips look pretty cool now!
I think I really want that rear slideout sofa in the Eagle Cap 1160.
Just want to be careful about the weight.

Once again, thank you for all your help.

Truck Campers Rock!
My_Blue_Heaven
Explorer
May 13, 2013
As mentioned above, buying six tires rather than four costs you 50% more. Also, it's a real pain to air up those inside tires. More rolling resistance means poorer fuel mileage. Having said all that, I'm glad I bought my dually.
Eskimo
Explorer
May 13, 2013
No down side here. When my wife had to drive it to work she parked way out in the parking lot. I have no problems with traffic or parking, most times it right on the lines of the parking space.
travelnutz
Explorer II
May 13, 2013
If you do buy a DRW truck, just be sure you say the word "TRUCK" after uttering "wide hips" or the wife might shove those DRW's in your posterior and do you realize how much truck is ahead of those DRW's? Super OUCH!
mkirsch
Nomad II
May 13, 2013
99% of it is mental.

You're like, "OMFG, this truck is so big and so wide!" in the back of your mind.

Get over that, and you've got it in the bag.
PenMan
Explorer
May 13, 2013
Parking as others have said and getting teased about having wide hips.
2BLAZERS
Explorer
May 13, 2013
My wife won't drive the dually. This is a plus or minus :)