I'm sure this has been debated millions of times, but here is a new spin. At what weight would you consider a DRW to be mandatory whilst towing a fifth wheel ?10k11k12k13k14k15k16k17k18k19k20kor other.For background, looking at new Ram 3500's, the SRW payload is @ 4400, and the DRW is 5600. Lots has changed in the last few years, but I realize a # is only a # and a DRW may feel more safe and secure even though the SRW isn't technically overloaded. Will be buying both a new truck and fiver in the next few months, so everything is still wide open.PS - Could not find a good thread discussing by weight, if you know of one, feel free to post. PSS - Sorry this has been done, feel free to ignore if you don't wish to discuss again...Thanks !

I usually think this way.2500 up to anout 10-11K3500SRW up to about 13.5KDually for more.Not always true, but generally OK.Personal preferences play into this too.Personally Im pulling 12,500 and do so with a dually with absolutely zero regrets.

At what weight would you consider a DRW to be mandatory whilst towing a fifth wheel ? Mandatory? Not sure. But at around 16,000 pounds I would want a dually. At around 12-13,000 the diesel. At 16,000 pounds pin weight will be at or around 3200 pounds, plus the hitch, plus all the people and stuff in the truck. You will likely be close to payload gross on a SRW.

jmtandem wrote:At what weight would you consider a DRW to be mandatory whilst towing a fifth wheel ? Mandatory? Not sure. But at around 16,000 pounds I would want a dually. At around 12-13,000 the diesel. At 16,000 pounds pin weight will be at or around 3200 pounds, plus the hitch, plus all the people and stuff in the truck. You will likely be close to payload gross on a SRW.You're right in line with my thinking. :-)Lyle

Thanks.Mandatory for this discussion = safety and comfort level.:)

donn0128 wrote:I usually think this way.2500 up to anout 10-11K3500SRW up to about 13.5KDually for more.Not always true, but generally OK.Personal preferences play into this too.Personally Im pulling 12,500 and do so with a dually with absolutely zero regrets.X2 except I have a 1 ton SRW for my 12k fiver.

Tow Rig question SRW or DRW for 5th RAM | Good Sam Community

donn0128
Explorer II
Jan 29, 2016
I usually think this way.
2500 up to anout 10-11K
3500SRW up to about 13.5K
Dually for more.
Not always true, but generally OK.
Personal preferences play into this too.
Personally Im pulling 12,500 and do so with a dually with absolutely zero regrets.
jmtandem
Explorer II
Jan 29, 2016
At what weight would you consider a DRW to be mandatory whilst towing a fifth wheel ?

Mandatory? Not sure. But at around 16,000 pounds I would want a dually. At around 12-13,000 the diesel. At 16,000 pounds pin weight will be at or around 3200 pounds, plus the hitch, plus all the people and stuff in the truck. You will likely be close to payload gross on a SRW.
laknox
Nomad
Jan 29, 2016
jmtandem wrote:
At what weight would you consider a DRW to be mandatory whilst towing a fifth wheel ?

Mandatory? Not sure. But at around 16,000 pounds I would want a dually. At around 12-13,000 the diesel. At 16,000 pounds pin weight will be at or around 3200 pounds, plus the hitch, plus all the people and stuff in the truck. You will likely be close to payload gross on a SRW.

You're right in line with my thinking. :-)

Lyle
RokNDmax
Explorer
Jan 29, 2016
Thanks.

Mandatory for this discussion = safety and comfort level.

:)
therink
Explorer
Jan 29, 2016
donn0128 wrote:
I usually think this way.
2500 up to anout 10-11K
3500SRW up to about 13.5K
Dually for more.
Not always true, but generally OK.
Personal preferences play into this too.
Personally Im pulling 12,500 and do so with a dually with absolutely zero regrets.

X2 except I have a 1 ton SRW for my 12k fiver.
momentum_rv
Explorer
Jan 29, 2016
laknox wrote:
jmtandem wrote:
At what weight would you consider a DRW to be mandatory whilst towing a fifth wheel ?

Mandatory? Not sure. But at around 16,000 pounds I would want a dually. At around 12-13,000 the diesel. At 16,000 pounds pin weight will be at or around 3200 pounds, plus the hitch, plus all the people and stuff in the truck. You will likely be close to payload gross on a SRW.

You're right in line with my thinking. :-)

Lyle

x3
dave17352
Explorer
Jan 29, 2016
15k absolute limit. I base that on how my truck handles my 12k wet 5th wheel. Which is great. This of course is a pure guess. I have nearly a 4k payload. But I don't think I would want anymore than 3k on the pin. I base this on how my truck handles with my truck camper fully loaded. Which gets right at my payload capacity. I am fine with the TC. But I wouldn't like the ride if I had a huge trailer behind me also. JMHO
RokNDmax
Explorer
Jan 29, 2016
1 - 13.5k
4 - 16k
1 - 15k

:)
Halmfamily
Explorer
Jan 29, 2016
I've towed my fifth wheel at 14600 lbs with both a SRW 3500 and now a DRW 3500. The DRW feels much more stable with no side to side wiggle I had in the SRW. As for weight I think it's a matter of what you're comfortable with and within your trucks specs. As for me I'll always have a DRW.
Bionic_Man
Explorer
Jan 29, 2016
jmtandem wrote:
At what weight would you consider a DRW to be mandatory whilst towing a fifth wheel ?

Mandatory? Not sure. But at around 16,000 pounds I would want a dually. At around 12-13,000 the diesel. At 16,000 pounds pin weight will be at or around 3200 pounds, plus the hitch, plus all the people and stuff in the truck. You will likely be close to payload gross on a SRW.

With the new trucks, I am mostly in agreement, although I would probably push it up to 17k. Still plenty of payload there for everything else that goes with the trailer.