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

How often have you had to find a new spot for your DRW because it would only fit a SRW?

If your spot is too narrow for an SRW, it's probably too narrow for a TC.

Lantley wrote:
I can park in any spot that the same length SRW truck can.

Unless, of course, the spot is too narrow for your wider DRW.

jimh425 wrote:

mooring product wrote:
Of all people to bash a vehicle...its like the guy who says the 6.0 is junk but has never owned one.

I have owned my dually for a week today. I must say that its no different then my old F250 when driving and parking it.

Talking about the physical characteristics of a vehicle is not bashing. Almost all of what I posted is due to the size of the truck. It doesn't take owning a DRW to read/see the dimensions.

Not all of us drive our trucks in the wide open spaces or park in really wide spaces.

In any case, the thread is about the downsides. Should we pretend there are none?

Your list is very misleading and inaccurate. Is it because you don't own a dually and are only imagining the issues?
You mention length. Length is not an issue. SRW & DRW are the same length.:S.
DRW are too wide to fit into a lane. Never had that problem:?
Harder to park than a SRW. I can park in any spot that the same length SRW truck can. Traction is worse? In normal driving conditions traction is not an issue? In extreme snow SRW would be better. However I am talking extreme conditions in excess of 12".
I have found no measurable difference in MPG's.
Finally they have hips and are ugly. They are built to carry a lot of weight not win style contest/points.
DRW trucks do not fit as well through gated or drive through scenarios. Some banks,gated parking lots and fast food drive thru's can be a challenge. Otherwise I have had no issuers using my DRW truck as a daily driver.My comments are based on real experience not simulated or imagined results.

Love the ride, and they track well with heavy loads, and handle crosswinds with ease. the rear tires will out last the front tires, 2-1 so your looking to buy tires in sets of two or four. As far as road noise, I have none from the tires, engine purrs and the turbo whistles.

You have to buy six tires! That part isn't cheap but it is definitely worth it. I used to haul my BF 9.6 on a SRW and I always had white knuckles. I will never go back and I love my Duramax. It's a 2006 Crew Cab 4x4 Leather and heated seats. It rides just like grandmas Cadillac even with the camper on it.

I would have prefered SRW for sand and snow handling, but I think it would be hard to haul 9000 pounds of payload on a SRW.

Just remember you have "thunder thighs" when parking or dealing with narrow lanes/drive thrus.

I have not had any real problems.

mooring product wrote:
Of all people to bash a vehicle...its like the guy who says the 6.0 is junk but has never owned one.

I have owned my dually for a week today. I must say that its no different then my old F250 when driving and parking it.

Talking about the physical characteristics of a vehicle is not bashing. Almost all of what I posted is due to the size of the truck. It doesn't take owning a DRW to read/see the dimensions.

Not all of us drive our trucks in the wide open spaces or park in really wide spaces.

In any case, the thread is about the downsides. Should we pretend there are none?

I can give ya a few downsides:

First off, backing under your camper will be a pain. On my TC, iv got less than an inch in between the outter fender and the jacks. Makes for a TIGHT squeeze. And of course on a SRW, you've got plenty of room.

Another is their size. Like most have said, its mostly mental. Youll get used to driving a large vehicle. Youll also get used to taking a football field to turn around. Going from an extended cab long bed to a crew long bed wont be a huge difference though.

And lastly, maintenance! Youll feel it in your wallet the first time you've gotta replace tires. 4 tires for my F-250 are about $1000. And of course, its closer to $1400 for the dually. OUCH!

No doubt that dually will be tons more stable though!

And if your talking about the 6 liter Powerstroke, yes, they are junk. They'll get you where your goin... after a few grand is dumped in the motor. Ask me! My dad and uncle have one. Both had motor problems. But that's not the point of the thread either.

jimh425 wrote:
Here is a small list. NOTE: I'm considering trading for a gas DRW since I no longer drive my SRW as my daily driver.

1. The number of people who will buy them is dramatically less, so the resell market is soft compared to SRWs. Good if you want to buy a used one, bad if you want a big selection to choose from.

2. You need special brackets to load a TC and the brackets are weaker sense they are extended.

3. The individual tires are typically weaker than a SRW with higher capacity tires.

4. There is less ability to customize and most are more commericially oriented which means that they have less creature comforts.

5. They have hips and many consider them ugly.

6. They are less maneuverable by a lot due to more width and typically only Crew Cab.

7. Typically longer than a supercab since they frequently come as Crew Cab only. They weigh more.

8. They can’t park in most garages, or even make it through the entrance.

9. They barely fit or don’t fit in smaller traffic lanes. That also makes them harder to park inside the lines with them being almost 2 ft wider.

10. They are wider, so it may be impossible to maneuver between rocks/logs/trees off road.

11. The back tires float more so traction is worse without a load.

12. They typically get worse mileage due to weight more tires and less gearing options.

If you own one, you think it is the only possible choice … joking.

Of all people to bash a vehicle...its like the guy who says the 6.0 is junk but has never owned one.

I have owned my dually for a week today. I must say that its no different then my old F250 when driving and parking it.