Hey everyone, I'm planning my first tow rig purchase in the near future, and it will be used to pull a large 5th wheel RV. I've seen a lot of people pulling them with regular superduties(not dually). My question is, which one should I get? Are the regular axle trucks really enough or is it a gamble? Thanks in advance for any and all feedback.
What's the hitch weight on your 5vr? Mine is about 2300lbs and I pull it with a SRW 1 ton and have no problems. The advantage of a dually is stability and added safety. But the added cost of tires and low fuel milage might not be for everyone. Also most bank lanes and toll booths are a squeeze for these trucks. Me? I don't need training wheels.
like BTTB said, it depends on the size of the 5er. i have seen SMALL 5er's that can be pulled with a half ton. but i regret not purchasing a dually, and will be converting my truck to a dually down the road.
Towed various trailers for the past ten years with a srw reg. cab. I just purchased a new crew cab Drw. Been pullig the same fleet of trailers with that now. Night and day single rear wheel and the shorter wheel base can't hold a candle to towing with a dually. No more white nuckle rides. It is that much better. jim
training wheels? You'd better check the load rating of your tires. Me thinks yer a wee bit over what the tire is rated at. Don't mean to be a party pooper, but unless you got a tire thats gonna handle the load, its gonna be a nightmare when it lets go. Why would it go? Too heavy and then it generates lots of heat and then....BOOM, down for the count. All joking aside, go check your weight rating and see if you're pushing your luck. Scott
in a year or so i will be looking into another truck as well. by that time my boggin truck will be done no i am figuren that truck to come in around 9k or so then add the trailer , tools , spare parts , coolers it adds up quick. besdies that i am looking at 5er travel trailers now. i have a 26ft tagalong travel trailer now...anyway i have been wondering the same thing. is the dually that much nicer? to tow with? .....
whats more stable, 2 or 4 tires? Years ago there was a comercial that kept saying: wider is better. Yeah you loose a little in wind and rolling resistance, but the benefits FAR outweigh the cons. Scott
I'd have to agree with the consensus so far. I have pulled several trailers with SRW and DRW trucks. ALWAYS more stable, ALWAYS less 'white knuckle'. Only downside for me is low traction conditions (snow and mud) when the dually can't get enough traction.
You need to read my post again, I stated the advantage of a dually is stability and added safety. I've had 5 diesels since '86, including 1 dually. I've been towing for a number of years. I have E-Rated tires on my TV. I believe I'm well within my load limit.
I pull lots of equipment with my current dually. I have pulled the same equipment with a short bed, crew cab and the diffrence is night and day. But, as stated earlier there are always going to be trade offs. Traction is lost with a dually in slipery conditions. And the fuel mileage is going to also suffer. If it's duty is strickly pulling then dually. If you pull some but drive the truck daily than no.
Dodge LWB dually is the truck I have. I have read tests on all three-Chevy Ford and Dodge-and I believe the Dodge is the best vehicle for the job. The Cummins makes the most torque at the lowest rpms(which is what you want for getting a heavy RV going). It's also the easiest motor for hp/torque upgrades. The 6.7L has a tow-haul feature and integrated exhaust brake. If you play music a lot you should check the option box for the Infinity sound system w/steering wheel radio controls and Sirius. If you want to look pretty get the Chevy. If you want the best tow vehicle get the Dodge. The Ford...fugeddaboudit.
Training Wheels For Me.............. I tend to agree with most of the other guys here................if you're pulling a big 5er (10,000lbs plus), I'd go with the dually. These things are so much more stable on the road.waytogo I find them particularly beneficial when towing in windy conditions or when an 18-wheeler passes you............don't get "blown around" nearly as much! Of course, there are trade-offs with gas mileage and the like, but mine is an every-day driver and I'm not complaining at all. Regards, FlossBoss
Check this link for weights How easy to overload your SRW truck Check this post and look at the numbers.
you guys have hit my question so I'll butt in and ask it. On my 08 250 SD diesel, the door post sticker says rear axle rating is 6100# w LT 275/65R18 load range E tires at 70 psi, but tires claim 3415# each [6830, for 2 on that axle] at 80 psi. According to the scale, I've got 7200# on that axle. I've found 275/70R18 LR E max 3640 [also Continental tires] that would get me over 7200# on tires, but what is next? Axle failure at 6500? spring failure at 6700? What can I do to run 7200 safely?
Go for the training wheels. I have an 01 SRW 1ton and an 06 DRW 1ton. The newer one feels more stabil on the road. Both are equiped with firestone bags in the rear but the dually does feel a lot safer when stoppong and turning. I have overloaded the rear tires on the 01 on more than one occasion. Now it just sits for when the dually is not needed.
Dual I went from duals (DRW) to single(SRW). For reasons stated by others I wishing I had stuck with DRW. I did do one thing right this time. Went with gray Line-X on the sides, front and in the bed.
