DRW vs SRW

[Dean Upson]

Originally posted by Bob W

Thanks for all the thoughtful replies. One question for now... How common is the vibration that JW mentioned?

I have not noticed it, or I have had duallies for so long, I don't notice it.



Dean

 

[Red Ramrod]

1. Don't get too worked up about "increased carrying capacity" of the DRW; that is mostly a myth. Most of the owner's manuals say that the carrying capacity of the DRW is the same as the SRW, MINUS the weight of the extra two wheels and tires, extra shackles, springs, etc. In many cases the carrying and towing capacity of the DRW is LESS than the SRW. Don't take my word for it; look at the manual.

I would like to clarify this. The dually is rated to tow 400lbs less. In bed payload is much better though. I looked on the towing guide and the SRW 3500 is rated for 3340lbs while the DRW 3500 is rated for 4540lbs.

One question for now... How common is the vibration that JW mentioned?

I have driven duallys for the past 10 years daily and have never noticed any vibration.



The MPG seems to be about 1MPG less than a SRW.



Agree that the dually rides a little stiffer, but if you change to better shocks it rides like a dream. Wife needed a sport bra until I changed the rear shocks. Put on the RS9000 and leave set to 1 unless loaded.

 

[datablitz]

yea, and it can get a little hairy driving a dually through the bank drivethrough, you get about an inch on both sides... .

 

[Jeremiah]

Duallies and carwashes? Uh-uh

You guys forgot about not being able to send a duallie through an automatic carwash. I keep my SRW clean - wash it twice a week in fact - and I'd be doing it by hand if I owned a duallie.



The biggest thing a duallie's got going for it is stability. Hook a heavy fiver up or throw a big cab-over camper on a SRW and it'll wallow back and forth. You need 4 wheels across the back to handle these loads.



But as far as pulling a TRAILER is concerned, a 3/4 ton will pull more because the additional duallie weight must be subtracted from the overall weight of the truck and what's being towed.

 

[y-knot]

So whats your point??? Your lazy and don't like washing your truck, right?

That's maybe because you are embarrassed to be seen with it? Dually owners could care less about automatic car washes, we love to play with our trucks.

 

[Bob W]

Another question... . In the salt belt, is there a greater chance of rot where the fiberglass fenders meet the bed, as compared to a SRW? I assume frequent washings would eliminate any potential problems.

 

[Jeremiah]

Washing trucks

Originally posted by y-knot

So whats your point??? Your lazy and don't like washing your truck, right?

That's maybe because you are embarrassed to be seen with it? Dually owners could care less about automatic car washes, we love to play with our trucks.

You make wrong assumtions, y-knot, but that's understandable given the wrong conclusions you come to.



You probably don't care, but we don't waste water washing vehicles in this part of Colorado. In fact, my well is dry and I use the truck to haul drinking water.



But you have a good time playing with your truck, you hear?

 

[JHardwick]

I'm not going to get in a ******* contest about the automatic car washes.



But, Ive never been through one, so that is not a concern. I can do a far better job with my power-washer or in a drive thru power washer.



Talk about lazy ... ... ... ... . I pay $100. 00 every month or 2 for a total detail, lol.



As I said earlier, the worst part is trying to park in a parking lot. The spots get smaller and smaller everytime they re-paint them. Most fast food drive thru's are dually friendly, but most banks are not. I've even had it in a parking garage in Columbus for a Blue Jackets hockey game, lol.



I still contend that the small inconveniences of a dually are far outweighed by the stability while towing. Through the fair weather months, I can do as many miles a week towing as not.



The answer is simple for me, but every situation is different.

 

[jimnance]

Wish I had the dually as I'm over weight with the current rig. Otherwise, I like the SRW. It handles the load just fine, but I'd be happier if I was within my GVWR and GCVWR.

 

[turbojet]

It's real simple, a Dually is the King of the road. So you decide, either be the King or a prince, it's up to you.



Any other questions?

 

[DPelletier]

Well, I also agree with most of the other replies (but not all).

To answer your original question, I regretted buying the SRW which is why I now drive a DRW.



Duallies do have some drawbacks and all have been mentioned. For me its mostly about the extra width and parking. A minor inconvenience for me, but everyone's useage varies. I think the new 3rd gen DRW's hardly qualify for the term "rough riding". This truck rides like a sports car compared to all the 3/4 ton SRW trucks I've owned before this one. Don't let comments on the ride scare you off.



But to the weight issues; the increased carrying capacity of the DRW is NOT a myth. My truck is rated at 12,000 GCVW vs 9,900 for a 3500 SRW. This equates to a 2,100 lb difference in weight capacity. Hardly insignificant. And no, the extra two wheels and the plastic fenders do not weigh 2,000 lbs! Also as far as towing goes the DRW is not rated to tow less, both trucks are rated at 21,000 GCVWR for 3. 73 gears and 23,000 GCVWR for 4. 10 gears. The dually may weigh 200 - 300 lbs more so in theory, you could be able to pull a heavier trailer or fifth wheel with a SRW, BUT most of the time you get anywhere near the GCVWR, you are way over GVWR for a SRW, thereby making the tow weight comparison moot.



As far as mileage goes, yes the DRW truck will get worse mileage than a SRW truck. 1 - 2 mpg. About the same difference as an auto vs. manual or 2wd vs. 4wd. Tire pressure is more important than how many tires you have. FWIW my new DRW 6spd gets about 2 mpg better than my '01 SRW auto did.



Personally, I do think the duallys look better, but I would not buy one unless I was a) hauling a slide-in camper or similar large load on the truck or, b) had a large enough trailer or 5er to justify it(the 10,000 lbs figure that Red Ramrod mentioned seems appropriate to me). No right or wrong answer on truck choice, it all depends on useage. Buy the right truck for what you need.



Dave

 

[y-knot]

I could care less where, when, how often, and under what circumstances you or anyone in your family, wash your truck.



I like to keep mine clean, a yes I enjoy doing it.



If others, including yourself don't I could give less then a rats bass, it's your truck, your life, and means nothing to me.



Also, I suppose if I was real busy and had the money, then maybe I too would have it done... full detail no problem.



I think if someone wants a 3500 but doesn't get the DRW option, they didn't get much for there money. If you only want a SRW, then go for the 2500 . This is only my opinion... you have yours. I personally think anyone with a diesel and no DRW is second round. I understand some don't like the training wheels, that is fine, good for them. It just isn't a TRUCK with out them.

 

[pstillo]

DRW Oo. Oo. Oo. Oo. Oo.

 

[FJfonda]

Bought a DRW in '99 and will never go back. Towing stability is the best and unloaded mine handles very well. Down side? Here in NY it cost 2 1/2 times to cross the Hudson river... . $1. 00 for cars and $2. 50 for my dually. There is a similar markup across the northeast on most toll roads. Don't let the parking problems discourage you... . I don't see many LWB SRW squeezing into the front row spots as others just don't leave the room. Tire pressure checking is a PITA but I rotate them every 5000 mi and check them at that time. If I am towing, then I check the tires with an infared thermometer which highlights tire pressure differences as little as 3psi on the rear. Forget about driving in snow in 2wd as it is very difficult.

I am on my 4th set of tires and balancing has never been a problem.

We have a 04. 5 on order and that one is a DRW as well.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

Definately get the SRW. I'll sell you pics of my DRW to post on your wall



As previously mentioned, the Gen 3s ride better than either the 98 or 02 3/4 tons I had. The steering, frame ridgity, longer springs, and duallies make for one cruise'n machine. The 3. 73 is a perfect ratio for my driving needs.



I think another reason people either hang back, or get around you quick, is they respect the "rock chucker" duallies.



A DRW draw back not mentioned is doing the "hoola" on rutted roads.



This truck has been awesome on snow and ice



More room and tires for hauling firewood. Can hardly wait to put the camper on or hook up a 5er horse trailer on this beast of burden. Oo.

 

[CAKUZ]

I sold my perfectly good 2500 automatic loaded with many extra add ons and options and got my 03 DRW 3500 manual 6 speed.

The only thing I regret is not getting a real truck to start with.



I love my Dually!!!!

 

[Bob W]

Thanks for all the input..... it's a big help. FJ brought up a good point; I never park my 2500 LB QC near the front of any lot, so there would be nothing new about parking.



Is there any greater risk of rust where the fiberglass fenders meet the bed?



Checking tire pressure seems to be common PITA; what is the best way to check pressures?

 

[FJfonda]

I drive most of my miles in the northeast-salt-laden winter in quest of good ski conditions. I have not noticed any rust at the fender joint and most of the time the truck is white with salt.



Tire pressure can be checked with a Mallory truck tire gauge. I had to bend the extension unit slightly so it would engage the inner wheel. Taking the stem cap off is a bigger challenge.



I have seen many installations of extension valves but if you do so make sure that you use the ZIP (zero internal pressure) extensions and change the wheel stems to solids.

 

[DPelletier]

Haven't noticed any rust problems on any duallies around here and they use lots of salt in the winter.

My buddy just put extensions on his inner rear wheels, so air pressure can be changed or checked easily. Bought them at a truck store. I am going to put them on mine too.



Dave

 

[JohnSS]

CAKUZ,



You said it. Exactly what I did. Had a 99 2500 auto with all the extras, sold it for an 03 6 speed DRW.

There is no comparison between the two. 03 By far a better truck and I truly believe it rides smoother than my 99 did.

I have no regrets getting the DRW, but I really dont look forward to tire purchases. :{