Dually or Single?

[vampirefish]

All,
I am looking to upgrade to a much larger 5ver so will need a larger truck. Here are the specs of the trailer we're very interested in:

Specifications
Length 42'11"
Width 8'0"
Height 13'2"
Interior Height 7'0"
Hitch Weight 1,996 lbs
Dry Weight 12,565 lbs
Gross Weight 15,500 lbs
Cargo Weight 2,935 lbs
Fresh Water Capacity 64 gals
Grey Water Capacity 108 gals
Black Water Capacity 54 gals
Furnace BTU 35,000
Sleeps 6
Tire Size 16" E-Rated
Slides 4

So.. with this in mind, we are looking at an LBZ Duramax 3500 (1 ton) long bed.... should I go with a dually or single wheel? Thanks so much ahead of time.

-Kary

[hawkeye-08]

I don't think the dually is overkill for that size 5th wheel trailer. If you have to compromise because of other uses for the truck, a SRW may be fine, but if you can, I think you will be much happier with the dually.

[vampirefish]

It's all so confusing to me. Always pulling a smaller outfit it seemed easier and now every person I ask has a different answer. I've had people tell me I could safely use a Duramax 2500HD SRW.... but most have said a 1 ton 3500 ... now it's the DRW vs SRW... I've been told I'll have more stability with the DRW.... but is it overkill?

[PhilipB]

Stability is the key word already mentioned.

Unless you have other issues like using it for a daily driver or garage limitations when not towing I'd go with the dually.

[bfast54]

One Key word............STABILITY"......(Which by the way =safety)..

Now...before everybody gets their panties in a bunch I am going to say that with a dually you have four tires on the rear------ okay ......?....you have a built in safety margin...!!

If you get a blowout or a flat--- you already have a spare tire mounted which equates to safety .

You may not be able to "carry" as much total weight, with the dually..(the extra tires take up some of your avail G.V.W.R.).....but, in your situation..that is not going to effect you.

The stability of DRW makes some potential white knuckle situations much more easiely managed.... The wider stance makes for easier nerves,in tricky situations...cross winds, heavy loads..etc...

Some disadvantages........Wider truck,less drive thru avail, but you are talking crew cab.so .....you are already talking big truck..

Those are my thoughts,having had both SRW,and DRW.

[vampirefish]

Thanks all... definitely not looking at a new truck so I'll go with the DRW older model

[45Ricochet]

Fully loaded at 15500 at 20% pin would be 3100 sitting on your rear two tires of TV. Most new SRW trucks can handle this but IMO your pushing it. I believe most of em have about a 7k lb RAWR and unladen weight would be roughly 3500 lbs. Doable but a DRW would have no problem or concern about rear axle weight.

[vampirefish]

I'm looking at a 4x4 crew cab... let's say all the options... to be safe

[wandering1]

It depends on the amount of weight you are going to haul over the rear axle. A DRW is rated to carry more weight than a SRW. Your decision.

[KD4UPL]

I would get the dually. It's impossible to say if the SRW would have enough capacity without upgrading the tires and wheels.
How heavy will you load the trailer?
How much firewood, fuel, tools, people, pets, etc. will be in the truck.
Is this a fairly light weight reg cab 2wd truck or is it a 4wd 4 door with all the options?

[ed6713]

I would go with the one that could drag the most weight.
You have a very serious load to haul around.
I suspect you will be real close to the limits of your truck when your all packed for a trip.

Enjoy your travels.