Dually vs SRW

[Dave&Ginny]

There is always the question about whether or not a dually is required for pulling a Redwood. I realize that some of this discussion is based on the extra expense of having to buy a truck after buying a trailer.

If you're careful on what options you include in the purchase of the Redwood and you don't load the trailer heavy (which most of us do), you can use a SRW truck. But unlike most on this forum I've had both a dually and a SRW pulling the same trailer. I'd like to bring 2 areas of concern for your consideration on this subject.

#1 please read my other post about the disk brakes, and you'll read how I believe the dual wheels really helped avoid a serious accident.

#2 stability....yesterday while driving across I40 in NM and AZ the speed limit was 75 and there were some pretty good grades. While trying to stay out of the way of the big trucks going down some of the hills we were going 85 mph. All the while the side winds started kicking up. I had a guy following me for a short while but he simply couldn't hold onto his rig (srw pulling a shorter Jayco). Seriously, I had one hand on the wheel most of the time including when I was passing big trucks.

Some folks can't get a dually because of financial reasons, and I understand that. Some people simply don't pull their trailers enough to justify the truck. But if you're going to pull a trailer a lot, the dually is the way to go.

Happy Trails

[5th_Time]

X2 Dave, the peace of mind is worth the incrementalexpense - especially if you are paying for it over a series of years.

[COLJDM]

I agree with both Dave and Steve. We had a double blowout on our coach this summner and the only thing that saved us from taking the ditch in a really awful manner was our Dodge DRW, it held the trailer straight and we eased onto the side of the road. Highly recommend DRW truck regardless of what type trailer you are towing.

[hoosierguy]

I all agree with Dave, Mike and John.



I bought my 2011 Dodge 3500 Long Bed, SRW about 1 1/2 years before we we bought ourRW and it was more trailer than I had intended but we just couldn't turn away from the 36RL. As a result, we travel as light as possible (only 20 gals of water). We don't have the washer/dryer and generator. We are able to just stay within or very near the max payload specs.



I love my truck, but, if I had to do it over again, I would buy the DRW truck. The initial expenditure isn't that much more.



Guy

[par]

Thanks Dave for that story. I just received my dually about 2 weeks ago even though I stillhave not purchased my Redwood. This will be my first rv and there was no way I was going to limit myself by skimping on thetruck. Once again your experience is backing that up!

[atom ant]

I agree the dually is a better TV, but the limitations aren't always financial (probably certainly not for this price of trailer), it's more the use of the truck the remaining 48 weeks a year. I think before I personally would surrender to a dually, I'd go to a towable car and a MH. Edited by: atom ant

[BradPAjax]

We looked at the MH and towable since my wife liked the idea of being able to use the bathroom or go and lie down without stopping. I did a simple spreadsheet on cost of MH and towable vs. dually and trailer and we went with RW and Dually. I drive the dually everyday and can get into most parking spots. The added cost in fuel is the difference between 17 mpg with the Ford and 23 mpg with my Sante Fe 4 cyl 6 sp. The added expense of the MH and towable is fuel economy of MH lower than the dually... something like 5-10 mpg depending on what you get plus the cost of annual plate tags x 2, engine maint x 2, etc.

[Enroute]

I started out with a 2011 Ram 3500HD SRW - after towing my 36RL for 1,000 miles I decided that a dual rear wheel was needed. My 36RL is loaded heavy and the SRW just could not handle the load as I noted the steering got very light when the coach was loaded on the truck. For me it was personal choice and one that I am glad I made. The only thing I have noted about driving the dually is I miss not being able to take the truck through the automatic car washes. Other than that, I've found the drw to be just as easy to maneuver as my srw was.

[mhs4771]

Agree with all the Dually owners, the only way to go witha heavy trailer. We to travel heavy and have a pin weight of approx 4K. That weight just flatens out the truck (have a stock forward rake) and only changes the front axle by 20Lbs.

[atom ant]

4k?? wowzer. I'll be doomed if I get that heavy. I'm relying on somewhere closer to3000 - 3200. Are you carrying anything unusual in that 36RL?

[Rick]

I followed the suggestions on this post and just acquired a 2011 F 350 King Ranch Dually. We love the truck and find that it is not a big deal to run it around town and back/forth to work until "R"day in September. But where can you get these things washed. I live in Green Bay Wisconsin and the truck get's dirty this time of year. The local PDQ auto wash won't take them (dually's).

[homeguy]

Finding automatic washers for my dually is the only down side. I have only found 1 in the last 2 years that we have been on the road. We have a 2008 3500 Dodge Laramie DRW and love it to death. We have a B&W Companion hitchto pull our 36RL. I would not try and pull this with a SRW. It is heavy but our truck pulls it like a dream and we don't even realize it is back there. We have the airbags on the pin, sorry but I don't know what you call that. These bags make a world of difference. We pulled our ALFA Sun with the same truck with out the bads on the hitch and had a lot of bucking. None on the Redwood.

[Beechguyjim]

I try to find one of the touch less car washes if the truck gets really dirty then go over it with Griots Dry wash and I also like the rinse less wash I use that on the 36RL

[mhs4771]

Brad, We have the combo washer/dryer, the 5.5 Onan, full front closet,and all our junk in the basement for 6 months in Florida for the winter, which includes a Dometic Freezer that was packed full. Our unit is fully stocked all the time, clothes, dishes, pots and pans, dry goods and most of the time the fridge also. So all we have to do is add a few things to the freezer and we're on the road, no day to prepare or unpack.

[DonMac]

75mph.....85mph...one hand on the wheel....while passing. Let me know where you are going Dave so I can stay the hell away from you.

[atom ant]

Originally Posted by mhs4771

Brad, We have the combo washer/dryer, the 5.5 Onan, full front closet,and all our junk in the basement for 6 months in Florida for the winter, which includes a Dometic Freezer that was packed full. Our unit is fully stocked all the time, clothes, dishes, pots and pans, dry goods and most of the time the fridge also. So all we have to do is add a few things to the freezer and we're on the road, no day to prepare or unpack.

Ok, that may explain some, but I'm still nervous now. For me to go to the dually long bed would be a deal breaker. We are doing the 5.5 Onan and W/D, but usually our closets are pretty empty and I don't carry a lot in the basement except for a carpet, lawn chairs and a grille.

[5th_Time]

Don, Dave usually has a sandwich and chipswhile he's towing too.

[DonMac]

I hope he only has a soda with that sandwich. Nothing stronger till he slides to a stop!

[mhs4771]

Brad, just an FYI, our RL arrived at the dealer at 14K before we even put in the first paper plate. Also forgot to mention, we have dual 40 LB LP tanks and dual group 29 batteries which are all right at the front. I would still bet that even without much in the basement it would still be 3500 Lbs, give or take a little.

[atom ant]

Did yours come in with the W/D and Generator? I'm seeing the inventory units without those showing 13,400 lbs - some with the quartz tops.