To Dually or not to Dually,that is the question?

poohbear · 08-30-2011, 07:30 AM

Its time to get rid of the 2000 Suburban with 238K miles so my wife has decided she wants a new TV instead of a car/suv.What advantages 1T dually when towing 5R over single axle 1T?Also why are most of the new ones mostly 4wheel drive,I just have never needed it.
Not a brand question and we had a "gas" dually many moons ago but never towed anything but small tagalongs.I drive a 03 GMC 2500HD Duramax now.

29BHS ECO · 08-30-2011, 09:03 AM

poohbear-- A dually will give you better handling with the top heavy 5'ers. That being the case if the lord wanted fenders on the rear he would have put them on the front. lol lol lol Larry

Tyreguy · 08-30-2011, 09:40 AM

Load capacity, stability, high GVW ratings, awesome pulling power, luxury accomodations...the list of pros can go on...

...now the cons- higher overall purchase cost, fuel mileage, upkeep & maintenance (6 tires vs. 4 to replace), room to maneuver/park, not exactly the best 'commuter' vehicle once you've planted your 5er and are tooling around town...

Just my $.02.

Gibby3275 · 08-30-2011, 08:26 PM

I have been researching the same thing. I decided on a dually for safety and worry-free towing.

I will get 4x4, just in case. I wouldn't want to get stuck with a 40 foot trailer behind me.

GM just upped the 5th wheel capacity for the 2012 3500 HD Diesel to 23,000 lbs.

poohbear · 08-31-2011, 07:38 AM

Another con is if you hit combined 26K gvw with TV/RV then you need the " A" endorsement on your DL or a CDL.I dont know if just here in Tx or a fed rule.
As to a "commuter",we live 11/2 m from the shop and she has used a dually for her "car"in the past.Her theory is just drive it like its a VW Beatle:hihi:
The 3/4 tons have been bumped up on tow capacity a bunch.My 03 HD is rated for a 5er/gooseneck up to 15200 and the new GM's now go to over 17000,thats a lot of bump.Price wise I havent seen a big difference on the loaded trucks,all over priced

.Late model used have high miles and almost cost of new.

3Pillons · 08-31-2011, 08:17 AM

Even if I wouldn't use the 4WD, the extra weight of the front axle couldn't hurt the towing experience and create a more planted feel. Although at the expense of gas mileage and parts to worry about breaking.

clutch · 08-31-2011, 03:52 PM

If you have a dually on wet grass you will apperciate 4x4.

yogi154 · 09-01-2011, 11:52 AM

I vote for Dually. I had a 3/4 ton 4wd and towed a 11,000 lb 5th wheel. The truck was rated to pull 13,000. When the wind blew it was White Nuckles Driving.
The dually with 4wd is no problem with the Designer @ 14,250 scale weight. Wind isn't really a problem as the other was. I guess you could say I'm sold on the Dually's

Just my $ .02

sandwichbob · 09-04-2011, 11:46 AM

I spend a lot of time in the black hills of SD and I get to see all kinds of good/bad trailer combo's come down the road. Something I noticed is on a long downhill when there is a turn srw trucks tend to have a good amount of tire roll that you don't see as much on DRW trucks.

quadnkev · 09-04-2011, 07:33 PM

I have an 03 GMC dually crewcab 4x4 longbed Duramax, best tow vehicle I have had.
With a dually there is no tail wagging the dog and the load capacity is better than a single rear wheel unit.
As far as mileage between 2x4 & 4x4 it is minimal, a mile or 2 difference.

rvrev2 · 09-05-2011, 08:05 PM

Is there any difference in ride quality in a dually vs. a SRW that you guys have noticed? I heard someone say that their dually had a smoother ride than the SRW.

poohbear · 09-06-2011, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rvrev2

Is there any difference in ride quality in a dually vs. a SRW that you guys have noticed? I heard someone say that their dually had a smoother ride than the SRW.

our only dually was a 1989 Ford ,had a very hard ride but we kept it from 89 to 96 & thats when I went back to GM.

3'senough · 09-06-2011, 08:02 AM

I have an 03 F350 Dually with the 6.0 PS and have to say she is very stable even with cross winds while towing. Fuel mileage is slightly less than a comparable SRW maybe 1-1.5MPG and that's debatable due to driving conditions and load conditions. Yes you do have two extra tires to replace but your rear axel is a lot heavier and more stable. Also if you get a blow out you still can make it to a safe location to change your tire while not loosing your stability with your load. Last trip in the mountains and through stop and go traffic was 12 MPG towing. I have a 4" turbo back exhaust mod which gives me 2 MPG better towing and local driving. Yes the ride can be rough when not under load but when I'm towing my rig I am in complete control and assured that my family is safe if I get a blowout under the load. Turning radius is the same as SRW just you have the extra width to deal with so I get a little more execise walking to the store fronts.

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