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Dually or single rear wheel 3500 purchase advice please!

Chuck___
Explorer
Explorer
I just purchased a used 2010 DRV-32 TRK. I am now looking to purchase a new or new to me truck to โ€œsafelyโ€ tow it. The weight the fifth wheel is approximately 13,390 empty or dry weight and GVWR Rating of 17,500. The GAWR (each axle) two axle is 8,000 each and G rated tires. Cargo rating is 4,110. So, I am sure I am in the one ton 3500 range. Looking for a heavy-duty crew cab 4 door truck, long bed, diesel, upgraded transmission like the auto Aisin 6 speed. This is my retirement RV and truck and donโ€™t plan on full timing but plan on using it for four months during the summer and fall. Trying to do it right the first time around.
1. Should I purchase a dually or a single rear tire long bed truck? Looking at the factory tow guide for a Dodge, the single rear wheel and dually is about the same?
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of either truck?
3. Do you recommend the factory auto leveling air suspension system?
4. What gears should I get? 3.42 ,3.73 or 4.10
5. Looking to get a BW hitch. I have tools and I am handy. Should most of add on items be installed myself, truck dealer, independent parts / service person or factory BW hitch dealer?
6. Anything else to add on?
7. Who do recommend for the best deals? An Auto broker, AAA, Dave Smith in Kellogg, Id or the guy in Caldwell, Boise area, Costco or someone else?
Chuck
19 REPLIES 19

NC_Hauler
Explorer
Explorer
The option with rear air assist has same GVWR and RAWR as one without it. I love the 4.10, but 3.73 would be the best of both worlds. My 5er weights in at 18,250#, with a pinweight of 4250#... I'm under all my weight ratings..... truck tows this 5er great!!

Jim
Jim & Kathy, (Boxers, Buddy & Sheba)
2016 Ram 3500 DRW Longhorn 4X4/CC/LB/Aisin/4.10/rear air assist ...Pearl White.
2016 DRV MS 36RSSB3/ W&D/ slide toppers/ DTV satellite/ 5.5K Onan propane gen.
B&W RVK3600 Hitch
Fulltiming in WV & TX
USAF 71-75 Viet Nam Vet

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
tinner12002 wrote:
A Ram dually diesel with the Aisin trans and at least 3.73 gearing to make life easier for you truck. If you ever plan on a bigger or heavier RV then get the 4.10s. I'm not a fan of the factory air-ride as I prefer the leaf springs for reliability. One with factory 5th wheel prep would be nice too along with the B&W 3600 to go with the factory puck system.


Since you have the 4.10's you already know how well they tow at 1,750 rpm in 6th at 60. 3.42's give the same rpm in 5th. This works well with the AISIN because of it's lower starting gears. I have driven my Sons 3500 SRW with 14K dump VERY overloaded with combined about 28K. He has the AISIN and on grades it took off very easily. I towed that weight with my 11 HO Dually and 68RFE, only issue was getting the load rolling on the grades. The 3.42/AISIN combo can't be beat for 28K and under. RAM says the same thing just link at the chart below, read the bottom three lines.

Please tell me of ANY reliability issues with the Factory Rear Air ride on the RAM 3500's???

I agree the puck system can't be beat along with the B&W

RVK3600.
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

tinner12002
Explorer
Explorer
A Ram dually diesel with the Aisin trans and at least 3.73 gearing to make life easier for you truck. If you ever plan on a bigger or heavier RV then get the 4.10s. I'm not a fan of the factory air-ride as I prefer the leaf springs for reliability. One with factory 5th wheel prep would be nice too along with the B&W 3600 to go with the factory puck system.
2015 Ram 3500/DRW/Aisin/auto/Max tow/4.10s,Cummins, stock Laramie Limited--Silver
Tequila Sunrise 2012 Ultra Classic Limited
2018 Raptor 428SP

laknox
Nomad
Nomad
Dually, no question.

Lyle
2022 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Denali Crew Cab 4x4 Duramax
B&W OEM Companion & Gooseneck Kit
2017 KZ Durango 1500 D277RLT
1936 John Deere Model A
International Flying Farmers 64 Year Member

Veebyes
Explorer II
Explorer II
This should be convincing.

In 2009 we lost our first Alpenlite34RLR as a result of a blowover. The trailer was of similar size & weight as a DRV 32TK3. The only reason the truck did not stay attatched to the trailer & on its side is more than likely the extra stability of being a dually. The truck refused to be rolled & taken down the 50' embankment with the trailer. The 5th wheel was spread open & the kingpin tore out releasing the truck, which stayed at the top of the embankment, possibly saving our lives that day.
Boat: 32' 1996 Albin 32+2, single Cummins 315hp
40+ night per year overnighter

2007 Alpenlite 34RLR
2006 Chevy 3500 LT, CC,LB 6.6L Diesel

Ham Radio: VP9KL, IRLP node 7995

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
Here is my answer to Chuck from the same PM questions.

Personally I would contact DaveSmith in Idaho along with Dennis Dillon. They are a good place to buy or at least see where a local dealer should be for price. The general rule off the lot or ordering is invoice minus any incentives at the time. For a truck like mine LongHorn fully loaded you should get around 12K off sticker, maybe more,

You have to have a dually! Towing capacity is not the issue it's what weight can the rear axle handle. My RAM Dually can carry 6K the SRW 3500 is no where near that. Your RV loaded will be at least 17K so 25 percent of that for pin is 4,300#. That is way over SRW territory. Besides a SRW will not be able to handle the rV in a panic situation like a dually can.

As far as the details on the truck yes a B&W RVK3600 is the best hitch hands down out there. I personally like the LongHorn for it's VERY nice interior with top quality leather seats that don't leave you sore at the end of the day.

The AISIN is for sure the way to go with the extra power and lower starting gears that make getting the load rolling with ease. For your weight the 3.42 gears will give you the best solo mileage but they will perform as well as the 4.10's towing in 5th 1,750 RPM's at 60 the same as 4.10's in 6th at 60. If you ever plan on a heavier DRV then I would highly suggest forgetting the 3.73 and go to the 4.10.

The factory rear air ride is a great option. The unloaded ride is better than the trucks without the option and the loaded ride is great. The system keeps the truck at the same ride height automatically.

Rear air came out in 15 but I would buy new as the used prices are not too far from new.

If you want the icing add a HighwayProducts bed height 30" front to back tool box. They are NOT cheap but very nice!!!


2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

JIMNLIN
Explorer
Explorer
Should I purchase a dually or a single rear tire long bed truck? Looking at the factory tow guide for a Dodge, the single rear wheel and dually is about the same?

Tow ratings are about how much trailer weight a truck can pull which no doubt either truck you mention can easily do.

Now the biggie is how much weight can a truck carry.
The 3500 SRW has 7000 RAWR. This truck can carry around 3500-3800 lb in the bed depending on cab/2wd vs 4wd before exceeding a wheel or tire rating.

The 3500 DRW has those big 9750 RAWR and can carry in the 5800-6200 lb range depending on vehicle selections.

The trailer has a 14k dry weigh and a 17500 GVWR with 4500 lbs of CCC. After loading the trailer it may weigh in the 15.5-16k lb range. Add a hitch and junk in the truck along with occupants/etc and a 3500+ lb pin weight....IMO a 3500 SRW will be maxed out or even overloaded. I would go with the DRW/Cummins in the color of your choice.
"good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" ............ Will Rogers

'03 2500 QC Dodge/Cummins HO 3.73 6 speed manual Jacobs Westach
'97 Park Avanue 28' 5er 11200 two slides

lpxguy
Explorer
Explorer
dually dually dually! not even a question....for stability alone
2005 GMC Sierra 3500 CC DRW D/A(FOR SALE)
2013 Crusader 335BHS TE(FOR SALE)

valhalla360
Nomad III
Nomad III
I'm not a big fan of duallys but I think you will be over on pin weight by the time you are loaded up with SRW.
Tammy & Mike
Ford F250 V10
2021 Gray Wolf
Gemini Catamaran 34'
Full Time spliting time between boat and RV

outlaw85
Explorer
Explorer
I love our dually.. wide hips and all. One thing to consider is maintenance items. For the trailer it's not a what if, but a when. Something I knew going into the dually class but also didn't fully realize the magnitude of work until it was needed.

Things to consider when looking at the duallies. Something smaller not really an option since you have the 5er already.

Brakes- costly and not like your average car if you're a diyer. Ours require pulling the axle shaft (F350)
Tires- You need at least 6, 7 if doing spare at same time
Roadside Assistance- I would put this as a must (if doing long trips) unless you are also bringing a small shop with you. Think- if you get a flat. Changing a tire isn't exactly easy with a breaker bar and extension on the rears.
2006 F350 DRW Towboss 6.0PSD
2011 Keystone Laredo 321BH
RIP-1997 Damon Challenger 30 RK

rjstractor
Nomad
Nomad
I'm no expert but the numbers I think of are in terms of matching the GVWR of the trailer to the series of truck. As others have mentioned its more a matter of pin weight rather than tow capacity- all configurations of diesel engined 2500 or 3500 pickups will pull almost anything on wheels, ratings aside. I'm thinking 250/2500 up to 12K GVWR trailer, 350/3500 up to 16K and DRW for anything over that. I'm assuming you're talking Ram, if I were you I'd go all out and get a DRW with the Aisin trans and HO engine. Spend the extra $500 or so and get the factory fifth wheel package and drop your hitch right in without touching a wrench.
2017 VW Golf Alltrack
2000 Ford F250 7.3

kzspree320
Explorer
Explorer
You would be overweight with a SRW. Got to be a dually for that one. I would be 3.73 or 4.10. Rear air ride and Aisin nice but not required.

KD4UPL
Explorer
Explorer
While the tow capacity of a 3500 SRW is likely similar to a dually (if not slightly higher) the payload capacity is not. That large a trailer will put a lot of weight directly on the rear axle, that's really the issue, not towing capacity.
I think you would be much wiser to select a dually truck for that trailer; even if the numbers just barely work with a SRW.

Just_Wandering_
Explorer
Explorer
Dually for the stabilty.