DRW really is better

[LegalEagle]

I've had RV's for over 25 years. Started with a 22 ft. Wilderness in the 1990's, pulled with a 1/2 ton Suburban. Then upgraded through the years to a 3/4 Suburban (we had 4 kids, so I had to have the seating capacity) with a 30, then 34 ft. TT's. Got my first diesel in 2009, a Ford F250 7.3. Then finally a GMC 3500 SRW last year, pulling a 2015 Jayco Eagle 323LKTS, 13,000 GVW fifth wheel. Both of those had air bags to help stable the load. I had an issue with the GMC truck, and last week purchased a Chevrolet 3500 LTZ DRW. First trip this past weekend. Wow. No comparison between the GMC 3500 SRW and the Chevrolet 3500 DRW. Never having owned one before, I always heard of how much better they were. But not sure I really believed it. After just one trip, I am certain I will never go back to SRW tow vehicle again. And my fifth wheel is not a monster, at least not as heavy and long (37 ft.) as some. If you are shopping for a new truck, do yourself a favor. Get the DRW, hands down. Ready to hit the road with much better confidence in stability and safety.

[Lake Huron]

Welcome to the DRW club!
And they aren't as bad as some people say for a daily driver either.

[eagleback]

Mine is driven to work everyday. The people who complain about the drw do not know how to drive one. Just watch the gas pumps.

[BrentB]

What's so good about them?

[LegalEagle]

My fifth wheel is much more stable pulled with the DRW. And even though my previous truck was also a GMC 3500 long bed, the suspension was not as strong as the DRW. I drove in 30 MPH winds this weekend and hardly felt any movement with the DRW. When the winds died down on the way home, I barely noticed the fifth wheel behind me. No more fighting the truck on the highway. I had air bags on the GMC 3500 SRW, but the truck still was pushed around by the RV. I wish I had gone DRW long ago.

[Lake Huron]

DRW trucks are WAY more stable pulling a trailer, 5th wheel AND tt. You start getting into the 30' class and above, and you'll notice a difference. I pulled my 34' Montana 5er I had with my SRW and my DRW. HUGE difference. Much more stable, no sway in the truck OR trailer.
It's kinda like people with Jeep's. They have a spare tire cover or a sticker on it that says "Its a Jeep thing, you wouldn't understsnd." Well, it's a DRW thing, you wouldn't understand, until you pull with one. Lol!

[AKRUEBBE]

STABILITY TO THE Nth DEGREE!!!!!!!

[Screwby]

Originally Posted by BrentB

What's so good about them?

They are generally lower to the ground so things tow flatter and easier connection. They have the extra width in in the rear with the extra set of tires that greatly reduces any tendency to sway under load and increased rear payload. Some argue that you get the extra assurance that if your towing and you blow a rear tire you still have the ability to keep things under control since you still have the other tire holding. They exude manliness and girls can’t resist a man in a big ole’ dually diesel.

But seriously, anyone who says a SRW tows as well hasn’t used a dually for serious towing. Welcome to the club

[Screwby]

Originally Posted by Lake Huron

DRW trucks are WAY more stable pulling a trailer, 5th wheel AND tt. You start getting into the 30' class and above, and you'll notice a difference. I pulled my 34' Montana 5er I had with my SRW and my DRW. HUGE difference. Much more stable, no sway in the truck OR trailer.
It's kinda like people with Jeep's. They have a spare tire cover or a sticker on it that says "Its a Jeep thing, you wouldn't understsnd." Well, it's a DRW thing, you wouldn't understand, until you pull with one. Lol!

We need this sticker lol.

[TxLoser]

I can see where a DRW would be better. If I had the space to park it and used it more for towing, I’d have probably gone that route myself. Enjoy. We’ll need some pics.

[Lake Huron]

They dont take up that much more room. I got a 24x24 garage and park my dually in there, my Yukon XL in there, and still have plenty of room to walk in between them to get to go into the house, and have room with access to my toolboxes, drill press, 60gal air compressor and workbench. Between the dually and the wall is my welder and my cummins that's on an engine stand.

Legal, we need pics of that truck or it didn't happen. Lol!

[F350guy]

I'm not a Jayco owner yet but frequent this forum to glean as much info as we can before we try to buy a Pinnacle 32RLTS. It may be next week or next year, depending on if and when we sell our current rig.

Our last 2 trucks have been dually's, one a 2015 GMC and the last one a 17 Ford F350. I had some issues with the GMC so transitioned to the Ford. It was very nice and very comfortable, towed great. I just got tired of driving a dually as my personal vehicle. Some say no big deal but 6 years with one was all I wanted. I do admit they give more stability but I haven't found that to be much of an issue in the limited towing we have done so far with the new truck. Our new single rear wheel should be a good match for the smallest Pinnacle, if we get there.

If you equip a new Ford srw just right you can get a 12,400 GVWR with the payload capacity you see on my sticker.

[BrentB]

Nice payload!

[Big1]

Congrats! Pics!

[norty1]

I have had both and prefer the SRW Ford PSD.

I have not experienced any lack of stability that made me wish for the old dually.

[bill3kirk]

I've had both as well and use mine as a daily drive. It's great to ensure you get extra walking in when you go to the store and don't mind the extra stiffness.

As far as towing, It does a great job. I have the crew/8' bed. I think of all of it I like the 8' bed the best. I've not been in a situation yet where I can say, wow that dually really made a difference but it certainly makes me feel more comfortable towing.

Next project - kelderman 2017-ford-f-250-350-4x4-4-link-rear-air-suspension

[Joan617]

Our big truck (long bed CC DRW) is our only vehicle. Joan, a 100# little sweetie, has no trouble driving it since the truck senses the key fob in her pocket and adjusts, seats, steering and pedals to her size.

We are both avid walkers so do not mind parking way out in the parking lot of the market so that we can take two spots without being rude (but then how come a knucklehead in beater car can always park next to us?).

Lack of turning radius was the only unexpected learning curve. The first time I backed into a parking spot (to get the truck as far out of the road as possible), Joan exclaimed "Great job Honey!!". What I did not share with her was that I had been aiming for a spot two spaces away.

I was the one to ding the rear wheel skirt; not on a gas pump (good point, though), but on some bollards guarding the PIN keypad on a gated RV park. My bad, however; the large wide view side mirrors are more than adequate.

When I brought home the paperwork on the truck purchase, Joan was furious with the features and price. The first time she drove the truck with the home in tow however, she said "I get it. I get it. Good job, honey!" There is plenty of room and comfort for us and the four dogs and four cats.

[Donna]

Legaleagle, have the same truck, but its a 2016 DRW LTZ and pull a 351RSQ North Point. What an awesome truck. Had some minor issues with it. I went from a 1996 F350 CC LB 7.3.

[Radar57]

F350Guy, how do you equip a F350 just right to get the 12,400 GVWR. When I spec’d mine last year there was just the 11,400 GVWR upgrade. I wanted the dually for the increased payload and stability. The wife didn’t want anything to do with it for the usual reason. Then she found and wanted the current 5er we have. The truck is marginal at best. Do weekend camping close by so at present not a big concern. But I’ve told her before we retire in 3+ years and go on the road for longer periods with the 5er loaded we are getting a truck I feel comfort towing or we are downsizing. She’s not going to get rid of the 5er so I’m getting a new truck.

[SkyBound]

Duallies are amazing tow vehicles and radiate badassery. I do really like them. But I am quite certain we are travel trailer people, not fifth wheel people. So that being said, I don't think I would ever buy a dually for the purpose of towing a travel trailer... In my mind they are made for fifth wheel and gooseneck trailers. Anyone out there pulling a bumper pull with a dually? Comments?