newb with a DRW/SRW question

[2RR2NV]

Hi ya all.

My wife and I will be purchasing our first 5th wheel in the 2016. Yeah yeah, you're probably like... WTH are you asking NOW when it's so far away. Well, we want to get a truck that will fit our needs without having to upgrade every 2, 3, or 4 years because we wanted to get a "bigger/better" 5th wheel down the road. we are looking at a Ram3500 4x4 CC auto CTD. But can't decide on whether to get an SRW or DRW. I "think" we should have a DRW to pull a 38' Montana since it weighs so much. Am I wrong and that an SRW will pull it too just fine? another issue we have is that if we want to go hunting up on the Plains, there are plenty of spots where a dually is gonna have problems compared to an SRW. soooo what should we do? DRW or SRW.


if possible, please give thoughts on why or why not, one or the other, will work or not, please.

on a sidenote, we intend to get the truck late 2015 and then go buy the 5er spring of 2016.
also, more time will give me more time to do more research before the purchase.

thank you ahead of time.

Scot "Z" a.k.a. TOTAL newb! 🙂

[mdamerell]

2RR2NV wrote:
Hi ya all. Well, we want to get a truck that will fit our needs without having to upgrade every 2, 3, or 4 years because we wanted to get a "bigger/better" 5th wheel down the road.

In that case get the DRW.

Bottom line it's a numbers game. Pin weight is the issue on 5th wheels. 20% is an average pin weight. If you have a built in generator or washer/drier it might be higher than 20% up to 25%.

No one pulls a dry weight trailer most of us add 1,000# - 1,500# of stuff, beer, food, beer :B . So an average 5er is 12,000# - 14,000# loaded some of the larger units tip out around 16,000#. 200-300## for a hitch and you're looking at 3,000# or more in the bed of your truck depending upon trailer.

Just do the math.

I personally prefer the DRW because by the numbers its the right truck for my trailer (newer trucks have higher ratings)and the DRW is a more stable towing platform. I don't use it for a daily drive. I only use it to tow my camper. Yes its a beast and there are places it does not fit well but it does a great job of pulling my camper.

So run the numbers and find what fits your needs. Like the air ride on the new 3500's.

[BB_TX]

The payload ratings for the trucks keep rising every year. The new SRW trucks can support weights not considered even just a few years ago. I know there are many on the Montana Owners Club forum that do tow the larger Montanas with SRWs and say the weight is within their new truck ratings. And they say stability is no problem either.
I pull a 35' Montana with my 2012 F350 SRW. It is within the weight and tow ratings. It tows the 5er great and stability is also great, even in strong cross winds. And pulls Colorado mountain passes with little effort.

[donn0128]

Allworth wrote:
A great deal of the additional stability gained with dual rear wheels is in the mind of the driver, not in the physics of the truck.

Not exactly true. Someone else recently used the analogy of standing with your feet close together and have someone push on you from the side. Then try the same experiment with your feet a little more than shoulder width apart. There is a difference!

[Allworth]

A great deal of the additional stability gained with dual rear wheels is in the mind of the driver, not in the physics of the truck.

[donn0128]

Get a dually, you will never regret the decision. If you get the 30K towing package you will have a beast for towing all current or future needs.
Have been towing my 36 foot fiver with a dually since 2007 and have zero regrets. I even daily drove it for about a year to work. Still prefer driving that to DW's Suzuki except when I have to go to the hospital.

[We_Cant_Wait]

The SRW will pull it, put, when changing lanes or maneuvering at speeds you'll find that the 5th wheel will be pushing you around, sort of the tail wagging the dog routine, but with the DRW you will not get this, and will have a MUCH better handling set up, so for safety sake, get the DRW.