Dually or not?

[Dro67]

Buying a new truck to pull a new Redwood 38RE. Would really appreciate input. Chevy silverado 3500 HD for sure but thinking maybe a dually?
Have a 2500HD gas now.

[atom ant]

Some things to think about:

Redwood (especially the RL and RE) are nose heavy. It doesn't show up on the spec for pin weight, but depending on what you will do with that new 38RE, the weight of fresh water, generator, Washer/dryer, larger propane, and almost all storage is forward of the axles. The kitchen is on top of the axles, and not much goes in the back.

We had the F350 SRW and maxed out the tire capacity after we added the generator and W/D. We couldn't even think of adding water or cargo in the truck. I can't say what the payload is on the new Chev 3500, but I couldn't do it with my 2006 Ford. We went to a dually, and even now with water my 2008 DRW is maxed out on payload, but I know I'm no where near tire or axle capacity. (our pin weight with water is 4,350 lbs.)

I would love to go back to a SRW shortbed, even if it meant not hauling water, but I just don't think I could do it.

[Dro67]

Thanks for the reply. New to a fifth wheel so just trying to pick the best, and safest truck

[atom ant]

Daughter showed up last week in a new black Denali dually it looked like a nice truck! It was for a new Alpine which is about a ton lighter than ours.

[brenkco]

Yup, dually for us too. I had a '12 F350 SRW, headed to the CAT scales on our 1st tow with our 38GK. We were about 2000 lbs over weight. I went with an F450 only because it has a 9.5 foot shorter turning radius. The F350 dually would have done the job just as well. The 450 has a greater total tow capacity while the 350 has a higher cargo capacity (much stiffer suspension).

[rcflame]

I have a 36RE that I pull with a Chevy 3500 Duramax Dually. I am very satisfied with the way it tows and handles. I go with water and everything. I have a friend that pulls a landmark that is somewhat in the same weight range. He pulls it ok, but he can't have water in the tanks etc. IMO you would be better satisfied with a dually. It may be a little tighter getting around solo, but it will be well worth it for towing.

[spindrift]

The stability which is provided by a dually is a tremendous advantage.

[Adamsvr]

Go with a 2015 F450 with Firestone Airbags and you won't be dissapointed. A lot more horsepower and torque to pull it and stop it. Definitely a Dually.

[Dro67]

I'm definitely a Chevy guy but thanks for your input. I think with the Duramax and the Allison transmission I'll be ok. Sounds as if everybody thinks the dually is the way to go so I'm sure I will. Thanks everybody!

[atom ant]

Originally Posted by brenkco

Yup, dually for us too. I had a '12 F350 SRW, headed to the CAT scales on our 1st tow with our 38GK. We were about 2000 lbs over weight. I went with an F450 only because it has a 9.5 foot shorter turning radius. The F350 dually would have done the job just as well. The 450 has a greater total tow capacity while the 350 has a higher cargo capacity (much stiffer suspension).

I didn't know about the turning radius on the F450! Very cool. I will probably go to the F450 anyway, because I like the front fender flares and bumper extensions. The F350 looks kind of plain in the front.

[mhs4771]

Chevy Dually all the way.

[atom ant]

Originally Posted by mhs4771

Chevy Dually all the way.

or Ford - or Dodge

"Dually" is the key word -

[Steve & Linda]

Having no experience towing anything of this size (38GK on order), I read everything I could on this and other forums about what to tow with. Go with the dually. You can never go wrong having more truck than you need.

[Oriana]

From a SRW F350 owner I suggest doing it right the first time and get a dually.

[johnboytoo]

As another srw tower that is comfortable with my setup, I'm with O - if I had to do it again, would be a dually too ...

[travelin' texans]

Definitely dually GM, only time you'll look back is to make you are clear of that Ford before pulling back over. From another square fendered fan!!
LOL

[TNTBaker]

When that fiver is chasing you down a mountain pass, you'll be much less likely to leave indentations on your steering wheel if you have a dually!

[atom ant]

If the Government Motors Corporation had paid back their debt in full, I might look at one, but for I now I prefer to just pay for my truck once

[coloradolivin]

Went from a 2003 Chevy 3500 to the 2014 Ram 3500. On test drive on a local mountain pass, 1/2 pedal uphill at 55mph. On the return, downhill drive, let the exhaust brake and the tow/haul take over and the dang thing slowed to 22 miles per hour at a 7% grade.

[IPull]

Originally Posted by Oriana

From a SRW F350 owner I suggest doing it right the first time and get a dually.

Go big, Go Dually, F550 for me!