1 Ton SRW Truck

[MetalGator]

I am casually truck shopping (waiting for 2014 models) and trying to fit a tow vehicle to a future 5th wheel. Most of the 5er models we like are in the 9000lb-11000lb dry weight and 12000lb-14000lb GVWR. The length of the 5ers we like are anywhere from 32' to the largest 36'11". Of course the wife likes the big 36'11" model the best! It looks like all of the big 3 1 Ton SRW gas trucks can handle these weights. What weights would you consider the need for a dually? Is 36'11" to long for a SRW?

Burch

[MetalGator]

Farmer David wrote:
MetalGator I think it all depends on how much towing you are going to be doing. If you are just going camping close to home and short trips then a SRW would be OK. But is you plan to travel and see the country take some long trips the DRW is soo much more stable going down the highway

I am mainly a weekend warrior with usually a 1 week trip once a year. Most of my towing is less than 150 miles from my house. There is no way I can get a dually in my parking spot at work. I already have to bend my small 1/2 Ton mirrors back or they will hit the wall of the parking garage. Maybe one day when I retire I can get a BIG truck.

Burch

[BB_TX]

We have a 35' 5er in that weight range and tow behind a 2012 F350 SRW. And behind a 2007 F350 SRW before that. Tows great. Stability no problem even in high winds or large trucks passing.
Just make sure the pin weight is ok for the truck rating. Two 5ers of the same length and weight can have pin weights vary 200-300 pounds or more.

[Farmer_David]

MetalGator I think it all depends on how much towing you are going to be doing. If you are just going camping close to home and short trips then a SRW would be OK. But is you plan to travel and see the country take some long trips the DRW is soo much more stable going down the highway

[MetalGator]

mudfuel07 wrote:
Take a look at the F350 with the 6.2. I've towed a 32' flatbed with a 1 ton GMC and JD 325 skid steer on it and have no issues. Like you, I live within a mile of where I work, so a diesel would be unjustified. Let me guess, you possibily live somewhere near Gainesville?

I am looking at each of the big 3 (GM/Ford/Ram). I currently have a Ram 1500 and I am not brand loyal but I am interested to see what the specs of the new 6.4l Hemi will be.

I don't live in Gainesville now but I did live there for 4 years when I was going to school. Go Gators!

I live in Palmetto but work in downtown Bradenton. Just over 6 miles to work.

Burch

[coolbreeze01]

The capacity is one thing. The difference is stability in wind and on curves.

[mudfuel07]

Take a look at the F350 with the 6.2. I've towed a 32' flatbed with a 1 ton GMC and JD 325 skid steer on it and have no issues. Like you, I live within a mile of where I work, so a diesel would be unjustified. Let me guess, you possibily live somewhere near Gainesville?

[JamesBr]

I agree that you are on the right page. What I meant to say is that the SRW is not as happy close to its max payload as the DRW, so pin weight over 70% of maximum I think is more noticable on the SRW.

[MetalGator]

JamesBr wrote:
welcome to the overbuilt forum for RVers. I would say the only thing to watch when shopping and staying within a SRW truck would be the pin weight. Otherwise, I cannot tell the difference between my SRW and my friends DRW other then his is wider and has a lower gear for the higher GCW.

The highest pin weight of the 5ers we are looking at is a little over 2000lbs dry weight. All the SRW trucks I am looking at have over 4000lbs+ payload capacity. It's the length and GVWR of the 5er that concerns me. I don't need a diesel since I only work 6 miles from the house and only put 7K miles a year on my current truck. Plus, I live in flat Florida so I don't think the gas motor will be an issue. The few times I tow out of state, I don't mind hearing the gas motor rev a bit on hills.

Burch

[JamesBr]

welcome to the overbuilt forum for RVers. I would say the only thing to watch when shopping and staying within a SRW truck would be the pin weight. Otherwise, I cannot tell the difference between my SRW and my friends DRW other then his is wider and has a lower gear for the higher GCW.

[brirene]

I would say you're approaching too long and too heavy for a srw. Not there yet, but getting close. Definitely at least consider diesel too, for your own towing satisfaction.

[Lantley]

benbovac wrote:
I personally like the srw for ease of everyday driving, which I just purchased a new '13 model. based upon the weight specs for my truck, I would say anything over 15000+ gvwr for a 5er should be dually territory.

I agree with the 15K GVW as the threshold for dually territory.
Keep in mind this is with the 2011 and newer trucks that have the larger payloads. The older SRW models are not as capable.

In too many cases we look for a one size fits all answer. Each combo should be examined on an individual basis vs. looking for safety in numbers or the fact that Joe Smoe is doing it.

[dbbls]

While a SRW might have the capacity, a dually will be a much more comfortable tow. I could not believe the difference the dually made. I never feel a semi pass, and never feel cross winds. Yes, one can almost forget it is back there. I don't find the duals make it any more difficult to park. I have a crew cab long bed and the length is more of a problem.

[Lantley]

Javi1 wrote:
The DW and I were talking about a new 5'er this past week... I told her that we had bought our last SRW pickup... I drove dually pickups daily for years and let myself fall for the internet hype one time too many and ended up buying an F250.... won't happen again until I'm too old to pull a trailer... and by then the kids will probably have taken my DL and put me in a home anyway...

LOL that's funny! Make sure they drive you to the home in a dually!

[Javi1]

The DW and I were talking about a new 5'er this past week... I told her that we had bought our last SRW pickup... I drove dually pickups daily for years and let myself fall for the internet hype one time too many and ended up buying an F250.... won't happen again until I'm too old to pull a trailer... and by then the kids will probably have taken my DL and put me in a home anyway...

[netaq]

If you stay within the payload & gcwr ratings of the vehicle it will be fine. If you think you need DRW then you should almost certainly be considering a diesel powerplant. A gas engine won't have the torque to comfortably tow more than #13k.