SRW vs DRW whats the real story

[Chopperdoc]

My current set up is a 2013 RAM Diesel 3500 4x4 Long Horn Larime Single Rear Wheel (SRW) axle with a 6 1/2' bed. The truck has an Airlift rear air bags system with auto level (dual on board compressors).

I'm using the Anderson Ultimate 5th wheel hitch. My RV is the 377 RLBH. (43')

The truck is rated at 17K towing, the RV weighs in at just under 15K.

So far I've only pulled it from the dealer to home (about 20 miles). It felt fine.

I didn't what to get a dualy because the truck is my daily driver. Parking a dually at a retail parking lot is a challenge at best. Also I keep my truck in my garage and a dually would take up too much room.

Opinions on my set up?

[Kahoneys]

Your just fine. I have put on thousands of miles with my SRW and my 377. Last winter went to Disney and back to MN and had no issues. DRW will give you less lateral movement and IF a tire blew on the TV you would have another to take the load and help you get to safety but we had the same issues as you about garage space and parking. My truck is my day to day vehicle so had to work for both home and RVing.

[Mopar_Earl]

If you're within all your weights you are good. If you're over your payload/truck GVW then you should of went DRW. My 2018 SRW gvw is 12300. 2018 DRW is 14k gvw. So definitely makes a difference between SRW and DRW when it comes down to the weights involved.

I myself wouldn't buy a DRW truck unless I needed those weigh capacities. My SRW covers me with plenty to spare on the weight capacities.


Earl

[Lowmiler]

Originally Posted by Chopperdoc

My current set up is a 2013 RAM Diesel 3500 4x4 Long Horn Larime Single Rear Wheel (SRW) axle with a 6 1/2' bed. The truck has an Airlift rear air bags system with auto level (dual on board compressors).

I'm using the Anderson Ultimate 5th wheel hitch. My RV is the 377 RLBH. (43')

The truck is rated at 17K towing, the RV weighs in at just under 15K.

So far I've only pulled it from the dealer to home (about 20 miles). It felt fine.

I didn't what to get a dualy because the truck is my daily driver. Parking a dually at a retail parking lot is a challenge at best. Also I keep my truck in my garage and a dually would take up too much room.

Opinions on my set up?

Did you run the truck over the scales, and then again with the trailer attached?

In reality, loaded up, you're closer to 16k lbs, if not higher with washer/dryer, generator, etc. I've run my 2018 377 over the scales and come in right under 16k with all our stuff in it.

From what I see on Trailer Life trailer guides, your rated max tow is 16,400 lbs? So you're almost at the limit there.

But, and this is where a dually has the advantage, what is your RAWR (rear axle weight rating)?

Pin weight of a loaded 377, without generator or front washer/dryer, is in the 3200-3300lbs range. That's the most important ratio to focus on: pin weight to RAWR of the truck.

(and none of this takes into account non-com Class A licensing that your state may have)

[Mopar_Earl]

The real story is if you're over weight on your SRW or not. Door sticker, Ram published caps and the scales are the truth and real story. Scale your truck and trailer and compare to the door sticker and Ram published caps and the truth shall set you free. That's the only method available.


Earl

[Chopperdoc]

Originally Posted by Lowmiler

Did you run the truck over the scales, and then again with the trailer attached?

In reality, loaded up, you're closer to 16k lbs, if not higher with washer/dryer, generator, etc. I've run my 2018 377 over the scales and come in right under 16k with all our stuff in it.

From what I see on Trailer Life trailer guides, your rated max tow is 16,400 lbs? So you're almost at the limit there.

But, and this is where a dually has the advantage, what is your RAWR (rear axle weight rating)?

Pin weight of a loaded 377, without generator or front washer/dryer, is in the 3200-3300lbs range. That's the most important ratio to focus on: pin weight to RAWR of the truck.

(and none of this takes into account non-com Class A licensing that your state may have)

No W/D or generator. I checked the Trailer Life guide. It is incorrect. I have 3.42 rear gears. It says I'm under 10K. I checked the Chrysler website. It has me at 17,370

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Chopperdoc

snip....... Opinions on my set up?

You may be just fine..., but we all have different loading requirements/habits. As mentioned, a brief visit at a CAT scale will confirm your specific TV/FW "loaded" conditions.

Bob

[Lowmiler]

Originally Posted by Chopperdoc

No W/D or generator. I checked the Trailer Life guide. It is incorrect. I have 3.42 rear gears. It says I'm under 10K. I checked the Chrysler website. It has me at 17,370

Hm, 3.42 rear gear is pretty tall, that typically reduces tow capacity.

So what is your RAWR? Run your truck over the scale, fully loaded with fuel and passengers, and you'll find your actual rear (drive) axle weight. Subtract that from the RAWR and that is what you have left to safely accommodate the pin weight of your 377.

[Chopperdoc]

I've been discussing this with a coworker. He just bought a 2019 Chevy dually and is planning a custom trailer build. 1/2 RV and 1/2 toy hauler for his 65 Vett. He's read up quite a bit on this subject. He also recommended I weight the truck and truck trailer combo and get some real numbers.

Gonna stop at a truck stop on the weigh to Birmingham tomorrow and get the combo weight. I'm pretty confidant I'm within weight specs. but I will be good to confirm everything.

Worst case I'll get a new dually out of the deal.

Thanks for the input!

Vic

[Mopar_Earl]

Originally Posted by Lowmiler

Hm, 3.42 rear gear is pretty tall, that typically reduces tow capacity.

So what is your RAWR? Run your truck over the scale, fully loaded with fuel and passengers, and you'll find your actual rear (drive) axle weight. Subtract that from the RAWR and that is what you have left to safely accommodate the pin weight of your 377.

Could be good on axle weights but still exceed the GVW.

Ram trucks with Aisin transmissions and 3.42 have higher capacities. Only available on 3500 trucks. DRW with Max tow package includes 4.10 axle for 14k gvw.
My 2018 Ram with Aisin transmission was only available in 3.42 ratio. The 68re trans came with 3.73 and you could order 4.10's.


Earl

[Mopar_Earl]

Originally Posted by Chopperdoc

I've been discussing this with a coworker. He just bought a 2019 Chevy dually and is planning a custom trailer build. 1/2 RV and 1/2 toy hauler for his 65 Vett. He's read up quite a bit on this subject. He also recommended I weight the truck and truck trailer combo and get some real numbers.

Gonna stop at a truck stop on the weigh to Birmingham tomorrow and get the combo weight. I'm pretty confidant I'm within weight specs. but I will be good to confirm everything.

Worst case I'll get a new dually out of the deal.

Thanks for the input!

Vic

Post your scale ticket numbers and what your door sticker says and we can tell you if you're over weight or not.


Earl

[DonaandDon]

Your good.

I love my SRW truck too.

[cariboocreek]

Originally Posted by Chopperdoc

My current set up is a 2013 RAM Diesel 3500 4x4 Long Horn Larime Single Rear Wheel (SRW) axle with a 6 1/2' bed. The truck has an Airlift rear air bags system with auto level (dual on board compressors).

I'm using the Anderson Ultimate 5th wheel hitch. My RV is the 377 RLBH. (43')

The truck is rated at 17K towing, the RV weighs in at just under 15K.

So far I've only pulled it from the dealer to home (about 20 miles). It felt fine.

I didn't what to get a dualy because the truck is my daily driver. Parking a dually at a retail parking lot is a challenge at best. Also I keep my truck in my garage and a dually would take up too much room.

Opinions on my set up?

Your close but fine. I hauled my 2014 351 RSTS with a 2013 Ram 3500 SRW with max tow of 17k, gcwr of 25k, and pin weight of 4K. Trailer has weighed in loaded around 16k. Same gears as yours but with the Aisin tranny. Towed well and never had an issue and it was ran over the scales a couple of times and always legal. Bought a Dually a couple of months ago only because mom fueled up the truck with regular and drove it for 45 minutes.....

[Chopperdoc]

So we pulled from Huntsville, AL to Hoover, AL and back this weekend. Truck and 5th Wheel ran and pulled flawlessly. About 130 miles each way.

Did not have time as planned to stop and do a weigh. Planning to do that the next time we get out and about in it.

Did have some minor issues which I'll address in a separate post.

Thanks

Vic

[RoninAZ]

All that said trading up to a long bed dually is the best thing I'v done!

[poohbear]

Originally Posted by RoninAZ

All that said trading up to a long bed dually is the best thing I'v done!

I think the same thing. To me it's how the combo actually handles going down the road no matter if the ratings say good to go ,I would not go back to srw for towing

[TnHiker]

If you ever tow with a dually you probably won't go back. The dually's have there drawbacks with parking and drive thru's but I've never had a tense moment towing with mine as it is solid as a rock on the road in all conditions. I towed my camper in 2017 over 6000 miles and last year over 3000 and seen all kinds of roads and conditions.

[RedHorse1]

I have no hard data on the 377. We tow a 39’ 12k# 351 RLTS and have 3k on the pin with an F350 SRW 2x4 and we’re about 300# under the Rear GAWR. For us it’s a good combination. The weights I’ve seen from other posters on the 377 it seems to be in dually territory. There’ve been several posts from folks pulling with SRW with good experiences and I have no direct experience. Just stating my expectations.
My recommendation is to hit the scales and get the weights.
The CAT Scale is your friend.

[Fleetman]

Get a Ford F-250, 6.7 diesel; problem solved.

[Tuckerbug]

Originally Posted by Fleetman

Get a Ford F-250, 6.7 diesel; problem solved.

I just traded off my 2016 F250 4x4 with 6.7 diesel due to tow capacity.
Got a F450 Dually.

Rear axle weight rating is 6,100.
My truck on the scale had a rear axle weight of 4,100.
Note, I had a 50 gallon diesel tank in the bed right behind the cab.
No hitch when weighed.
That leaves you 2,000 lbs for trailer pin weight.

My 381 DLQS has a dry pin weight of 2874. Empty closet. No washer dryer or gen set. or cargo in the basement.

I was way over weight.