SRW vs DRW

[Kevin and Beth]

In the 3500 class, how many tow large fifth wheels with the SRWs? I'm weighing options and need to trade. FW is a '16 Pinnacle 38FLSA

[DownTheHighway]

Following this, I'm on the fence with a 3500 SRW or a DRW with my next upgrade. What is the length a DRW should be considered?

[ROC-REQS]

We currently tow our FW with a SRW GMC 3500HD short bed w/ Duramax & Allison Trani.
I chose the SRW because the truck is also my daily drive to/from work vehicle.
If I were only using it for towing, I probably would have gone with a DRW.

We have a 40' FW weighing ~14,500 loaded. The truck handles the trailer with no problem at all.

A DRW will give you more stability in windy conditions and also increased GVWR and Rear Axle Weight Rating which can be beneficial for FWs with heavy pin weights.

My loaded pin weight is ~3,400# so I'm pushing the GVWR and RAWR of our truck when fully loaded for a trip but still within its limits. A DWR would have given me a little more cushion.

Something else to consider, I believe DRW only come in Long (8') beds, so no need for a slider hitch.
With our short bed I got the PullRight SuperSlide hitch.
So there's also the consideration if you got with a SRW, do you go with a short bed or long bed. Not sure if there's a difference in GVWR & RAWR between SRW short & long beds.

Hope this helps.

[Kevin and Beth]

The Ram 3500 is available with the 6.4 and 8 ft beds. This truck will also be my daily driver so I am a little reluctant to go with a DRW. As old as my 2500 is I may keep it for a daily driver, still weighing options now.

[thomasmnile]

Originally Posted by Kevin and Beth

In the 3500 class, how many tow large fifth wheels with the SRWs? I'm weighing options and need to trade. FW is a '16 Pinnacle 38FLSA

Guess it depends on your Pinnacle's loaded pin weight vs. make/model of the truck you're considering. The two big limiting factors on the one ton SRW will be rear axle weight rating and the load rating of your tires. Bed length would be a matter of personal preference, and if you needed/wanted a slider hitch setup for less than an 8' bed.

My truck ('05 Ram 3500 SRW with 8' bed is a technological dinosaur now. But with our first RV (a HitchHiker II/LS 29.5) the truck and trailer loaded for travel weighed in at over 20000 lbs. The truck's combined GVWR is only 23000 lbs. I suspect your Pinnacle weighs a tad more than my HH did.

Then there's the question of what if you trade up to a bigger, more nicely appointed fifth wheel in the future. It happens..... Good luck.

[Cdash]

I see this as an emotional issue.

I know many people in the automotive industry and seeing how things are tested makes me believe that if they publish a capacity, the truck is good for it. Some of us want want more margin, some of us will operate way over capacity. In the end, it is what works best for each of us. My opinion is if your are operating within the trucks capacities, you're good to go.

My current and previous trucks were SRW F-350's, but I am not pulling a big heavy fifth wheel. I have no desire for a dually.

[norty1]

I have had both. I think the pin weight will be the deciding factor. I pull my rig with a SRW and the loaded pw is about 2800lbs.

If it was over 3300 lbs, I would not be comfortable pulling a rig that heavy on the pin w/o a DRW.

[estesbubba]

Originally Posted by norty1

I have had both. I think the pin weight will be the deciding factor. I pull my rig with a SRW and the loaded pw is about 2800lbs.

If it was over 3300 lbs, I would not be comfortable pulling a rig that heavy on the pin w/o a DRW.

My 3500 SRW Ram has ~4000 cargo capacity which includes a 150 lb. driver (seriously, any 150 lb. drivers on here)? Add the "overage" for the driver, wife, dogs, hitch, firewood and you're at least down to 3500 so I agree with norty1's numbers.

[eldermike]

I own a DRW F350 long bed and I love it. It takes a bit of time to get used to the difference between this and a SRW short bed but once you do it's just another pickup truck.

[ROC-REQS]

SAE has established standards for the manufacturers to test and establishing towing standards - SAE J2807.

The August edition of Trailer Life has a good article on this.
If I remember correctly, I think the article indicated that all the truck manufacturers are now following this SAE standard to establishing tow ratings.

[eldermike]

Originally Posted by ROC-REQS

SAE has established standards for the manufacturers to test and establishing towing standards - SAE J2807.

The August edition of Trailer Life has a good article on this.
If I remember correctly, I think the article indicated that all the truck manufacturers are now following this SAE standard to establishing tow ratings.

I believe they are still self certified IOW there is no third party approval.

[Old skipper]

My vote is for the dual wheels, my 5 th wheel was the wide 100 inch model so why have a skinny truck pull a wide trailer. Advantages of dual wheels as previously stated is stability cross winds and blow outs can happen. The dual wheels will give better floatation if you camp in some unimproved camp spots. It just might be the difference in getting back to the road.

[Kevin and Beth]

I think we will probably go dual wheel. Looking at the gear ratios in the rear axle. My 2500 has 3:55s I think, and they're too high for this. Been looking at a 3500 with 3:73s. It will be my daily driver, so I'm not sure really if the 4:10s are needed.

[Larry G.]

Originally Posted by Kevin and Beth

In the 3500 class, how many tow large fifth wheels with the SRWs? I'm weighing options and need to trade. FW is a '16 Pinnacle 38FLSA

You are in a great position...having a choice.

Would not even think of a SRW to pull our rig the way I want to pull...and that is with the greatest amount of safety for the weights we have....15,900 gross. Heading South to AZ for the Winter we are right around 15,400+-.

Can a SRW pull these weights? Of course but after talking personally (live in person not on the Internet) with SRW owners pulling similar weights to ours if they could have had the option to go DRW they either had their truck, SRW, before going to a new rig with higher weights than their previous rig and could not afford to change trucks and rig at the same time.

The old excuse that 'the truck is my daily driver' is really not valid for most people. Our DRW 3500HD Crew Cab 8' box is my daily driver and if you have to adjust to where you park at the store, restaurant, ATM, movies, the Mall, post office just adjust! A little extra walk of maybe 20-40 yards might just be good for you....it is for me.

Again you are in the perfect situation and trust you will make the best decision.

Safe travels.

[Kevin and Beth]

We're a year or two away from being in the position to really get into traveling for months at a time. Currently, we have the coach set up on an annual site and don't move it much. When the time comes in the near future I want to have enough information from folks that have the experience. I've never owned a drw truck. With the age and miles on my old 2500 I may be just as well off to keep it.

[rcmike]

I had a 2016 2500 Silverado that I was pulling a sl octane 222 with, and now I got a 2016 3500 dually, both had duramax diesels. the dually is also my daily driver. It took a bit to get use to, but its not that bad as some people say. If your one that always parks by front doors, a dually is not for you. I don't own a 5th wheel but at the rate I'm going, it just might be my next toy hauler. the dually just feels better when towing something. I just feel more confident in the seat while I'm driving, more so than my 2500. its your choice , but from my experience. the dually is more suited to be towing.

[PMC]

Originally Posted by Kevin and Beth

I think we will probably go dual wheel. Looking at the gear ratios in the rear axle. My 2500 has 3:55s I think, and they're too high for this. Been looking at a 3500 with 3:73s. It will be my daily driver, so I'm not sure really if the 4:10s are needed.

Thats a good plan. You've probably already noticed the SRW are only available with 3.42s when you order the CTD. Less of an issue when you get the Aisin transmission but something to think about when your 5er is as big as yours.

My vote would be 3500 DRW Aisin with 3.73s. I'd skip the super fancy interior and spend my money on the transmission and active air ride. I have a big horn 3500 and it's plenty nice on the inside.

[Kevin and Beth]

That's what we thinking too....I haven't got hold of the trim options, but I agree on the extra $$$ for interior. Can't find a lot of info on the Aisin transmissions, lot of dealers I talk to try to push the other auto, I have read about a lot of problems with them.

[PMC]

Both transmissions are stout, I'd suggest doing your research and then driving both. I ended up with an Aisin truck but would have been okay with a 68rfe, they just didn't have one optioned the way I wanted with one. Assuming you don't modify your motor chances of either transmission failing is next to none and either will handle your rig.

In the end I'm glad I got what I did as it feels like a tuned trannsmission to me. The 68 didn't but I don't think it was bad by any stretch.

[norty1]

With the dually you will lose some weight cause you can't get thru the drive thru line anymore at the fast food joint.

Also the drive thru bank lane is a challenge to your sidewalls and mirrors.....Don't ask me how I know!