which truck

[swannymh]

My wife and I are moving from our sunset trail to a new redwood 31sl, we now have a 2003 dodge diesel but are going to buy a new tow vehicle.
We are definitely going to buy a dodge again but are torn between a 3500 diesel drw or srw.....I think the single would be ok .....but the drw would be much more stable.
Thoughts ??

[Grizzby]

My personal choice is DRW. The topic is discussed frequently on this Fourm. I've had both SRW and DRW trucks, but haven't towed a Redwood with a single SRW truck. I like the stability that is afforded with the DRW, and have towed our Redwood 36FL thousands of miles, in most all conditions and terrains.

[Char & Steve]

My 2 cent opinion....DRW is the best way if your traveling any distance but if your staying local SRW will be fine. I can't imagine towing ours without the DRW. Weights are there on both but you have to thing stability on the long hauls and winds.

[rob_fla]

I agree with the previous posters, if your trips will be short / weekend trips, a SRW will be fine with the 31SL, but if you are going to travel a lot and carry a lot of stuff with you a DRW is the way to go.

[swannymh]

thanks for the input, although we do make short trips ( 200 miles ) we also like to venture longer out of state trips. The truck we use now is a single but the trailer smaller so we have been leaning towards the drw with the larger new trailer....

[hoosierguy]

Originally Posted by swannymh

My wife and I are moving from our sunset trail to a new redwood 31sl, we now have a 2003 dodge diesel but are going to buy a new tow vehicle.
We are definitely going to buy a dodge again but are torn between a 3500 diesel drw or srw.....I think the single would be ok .....but the drw would be much more stable.
Thoughts ??

If you know how you are going to tow.................
1. Empty holding tanks
2. No more than 20 to 30 gallons in fresh water tank
3. Travel really, really light...not planning to carry 3000 to 4000 lbs of "stuff" like many folks
4. Always know the condition of your truck tires
5. Be willing to drive slower to minimize tire heat build up on truck and trailer tires.
6. Don't drive in high wind conditions.
7. Don't have the generator option
8. Don't have the laundry option

You will be fine with the RAM SRW.

I have pulled our 2012 36RL nearly 15000 miles from Indiana to Washington State to Florida and several points in between. Going over Monarch Pass, CO at 11,300 feet was exciting.

Having said the above, I purchased my truck before I purchased the 36RL. Then, I retired......don't have the option to go back and trade. The trailer dry weight 13416 lbs. out the factory door. At 20%, dry pin wght is approx 2680 lbs. Almost everything we put in our trailer adds to the pin weight in a hurry.

Hindsight and experience now tells me that I should have purchased a DRW mainly because that I know that I am overloading my truck by about 400 lbs even though I do all of the above. I thought, by all of the published specifications, that I could find online, and through the dealer, that my RAM's payload was going to be right at 3000 lbs. Instead, when it came in, the label on the door says 2649 lbs max payload. Technically, the trailer dry pin weight was already over the payload rating. That is why we carry "minimal stuff".

If you still have the option to choose which style truck, I would recommend you go for the DRW. Then you have no doubt sufficient truck to pull safely almost anything you choose in a 5th wheel.

Hope this helps.

[NW Snowbirds]

We have a 31SL and have pulled it more than 20,000 miles with a SRW GMC 2500 short bed Duramax. Traveled over 10000 ft peaks and 50 mph side winds. Tows like a dream and never a problem. Couldn't be more pleased.

[azandy]

I have fresh experience with this. Bought a 2014 ram 3500 srw. With srw they only offer a 3:42 gear. Not enough power. Truck couldn't keep speed and would stay in 5th gear at 70 mph. 6 mpg often.

I had a 2011 f 350 and just traded my ram for a new f 350 again.
Now. I'm not saying one truck is better and by no means want a truck debate.

If you get a ram 3500 drw you can select 3:73 or maybe 4:10 gear too. You get a high output motor and a way better transmission. Be a much better towing machine . Just my thoughts.

[Rick and Mindy]

I have a 31sl and a 2011 Ford F350 SRW with the air bags and I too, have pulled long distances without problems. I don't pull with anything in the tanks and I rarely go over 55mph. I set the cruise and average 11.5 to 13.5 miles per gallon with the 6.7 diesel and have never felt like it didn't have enough power. I do think a DRW would add some safety but we just didn't want to drive that thing everywhere we wanted to go so you have to decide what is best for you. I checked all the weight ratings prior to purchasing the F350 and I am able to stay within maximum ratings with the 31SL. Take your time, slow down, smell the roses and you will be ok. I would however, recommend getting disk brakes on the Redwood no matter which truck you choose.

[arcticman1957]

I just towed my Redwood over 4400 mile with my SRW GMC and not time did I feel uncomfortable. Coming across New Mexico it was very windy and I could still drive most the time one handed. I had the fresh water tank about 1/3 full and I averaged 10.9 for the trip with a lot of mountain driving. In M-5 and about 65 mph with tow/haul on.

[Enroute]

When I bought my Redwood, I had a 2011 Ram 3500SRW and found that the truck did the job, but I was over the GVW on the truck. Therefore I traded the SRW in for a 2012 Ram 3500 DRW. That truck towed the coach like a dream. One hand was all that was needed regardless of wind or weather conditions. My DRW had the 3.73 rear end with the max tow package that was only offered for a limited time in 2012 and I loved the truck. Unfortunately my job changed and I found myself flying 46 weeks a year and the dually did not fit into the airport parking garages very well. So i traded my 2012 Ram 3500 DRW back in for a 2014 Ram 3500 SRW. With the frame and suspension changes, my '14 Ram actually has the same GVWR as my 2012 DRW had. This new truck does the job with little issues - especially being I move my coach about once every 4-5 months, verse before when I was on the road full time. If I end up back on the road full time and moving every few weeks, I would go back to a 3500 DRW. If you know this coach will not be your last, and parking a dually wont be an issue for you, I would recommend stepping up and buying the dually now. Every year the RV's are getting heavier and heavier and it is better to have too much truck, than not enough should the time comes you want to trade your coach in the future. This is just my opinion from my personal experiences. Happy truck shopping and congrats on your new Redwood!

[mhs4771]

I have talked to the folks in our Winter Park who have a 31SL and pull with a Chevy 2500 Duramax. They have been across the scales and know that they are over weight and are planning to move up to a 3500 Dually soon.

[Shane Wood]

All of the big three 2500 with diesel and minimum 373 reared will tow these redwoods. You have the power and transmissions to do the job. The only problem is you are overloaded and if you get in a wreck and they prove that all damages injuries etc will be coming out of your pocket. If you are willing to risk everything go for it. These are some of life's little dilemmas we face

[Rosey]

You're going to get conflicting opinions from people regarding this issue......... It all boils down to personal preference. I can tell you that I absolutely LOVE my "Dually" (Silverado 3500 Crew Cab Longbed Duramax) and would buy another one in a heart beat. There are times when towing when I forget that there's actually a 41+ft 7+ton 5th wheel RV behind me. I don't think that you would be sorry with the Dually choice but you may regret not buying it if you don't. My opinion.

[swannymh]

All this input is great , thanks to all of you. I think in the best interest of safety and tow ability we are going to go with the Ram drw 3500 with the asin trans and 4:10 gears in the rear...I believe that should make towing the most comfortable.

[piper guy]

You'll also have the ability to tow most anything you look at.
Biggest problem with towing any of the bigger RW with a SRW is rear tires on the truck.
Not a question of if you'll be over the tires rated load, you WILL be over the tires rated load.

Only one I'm familiar with who tows with a SRW and had it weighed and limits everything that goes into it is Oriana. The 36FB has a lower pin weight than the RL or RE and he can just make it with his F350 SRW. He is 200 lbs under max load on his rear tires with no water, no GenSet and loaded as light as possible.

Did I mention that he has a 2016 F350 DRW on order ....

[Jim & Mary]

And remember Vaughan, I had a SRW version of your truck exactly before coming to the rally last year, and stopped and traded for a DRW in Nebraska. Best decision I've made in a long time.

[piper guy]

I remember Jim. If I recall Dave and I had both suggested Woodhouse. That's where my SRW turned into a DRW also. Lol

[almcc]

One other factor that you may want to look at is the regulations in the state/province where you register your tow vehicle. Here in Ontario Canada any pick up owner with a PU over 6,000 kg. GVWR (that's 13,200 lb. for the metrically challenged and it's the weight on the manufacturer's data plate) is required to go through a CVOR process that requires a test, daily safety checks, a facility audit and requirements to keep a daily mileage log and other stuff that's designed for the largest transport companies.

Since all new DRW pick ups (except GM) are over the 6,000 kg. value we get caught in this "nonsense" and there is no exemption for personal use.

It's wise to check what requirements exist where you register your P/U before making the plunge.

[GTXRAS]

Originally Posted by swannymh

All this input is great , thanks to all of you. I think in the best interest of safety and tow ability we are going to go with the Ram drw 3500 with the asin trans and 4:10 gears in the rear...I believe that should make towing the most comfortable.

That is what ours is in a Mega Cab short bed. Tows very well. As stated before, you forget the RW is back there. Get one with the factory Fifth wheel option, has the hitch mounts, wiring and brake controller already installed. Some also have a cargo camera mounted in the third brake light. Helps when hooking up.

Rick