dually or not to dually

[SAnagnostis]

Will be buying a new truck in the next few months. How much do you have to tow to get the benifits of a dually? I will be towing a 12-16 foot cargo trailer loaded w/ carpentry tools for work, with some cargo in the bed. Will also be using the truck as a daily driver, and using a slide in camper twice a year. Thanks for your ideas.

 

[Eric_77]

ever catch a curb turning a corner? imagine doing it 10 times as often, Ever have to "two step" into a parking space? imagine at least twice sometimes 4 or more times. Tire bills are 50% higher



Unless you really need the extra carrying capacity most people are better served with the SRW. For the trailer you mention no problem SRW ( infact I believe it is still true SRW pulls more than DRW; DRW just has more hitch capacity); the slide-in dually really helps on stabilty and the weight of camper could be your deciding factor but for twice a year if it is close I would go SRW.

 

[Eric_77]

P. S. I routinely pull a 15k fifth wheel trailer(GCVW 21,000-25,000) and have never had a problem 92-03 about 10-15k a year

 

[JHardwick]

It really does depend on what you are towing. The trailer you describe could be towed with a 1/2 ton in all honesty. The only reason I have a dually is the 21ft tag loaded to the hilt, if I was ONLY towing with the goose, I'd have a SRW.



I've come to the conclusion that anything towed out of the bed can be done with a SRW safely.

 

[Casey Balvert]

The deciding factor will be the camper, no matter how often you use it. The SRW has a payload of 3300 pounds. If you have about 500 pounds of passengers, dogs and other cargo your camper can weigh no more than 2700. If it weighs much more than that FULLY LOADED you need the dually. . To me, my safety and that of my family is paramount.



That said if you don't need the duals don't buy it. The dually does come with some disadvantages such as parking, no drive-thrus, etc. But if you do, then the duals can give you the safety and stability you need to make driving the rig much more enjoyable.



You do get used to the extra width. I don't catch curbs on corners but then I didn't with my 2500 either. You need to be aware of what you are driving. FWIW

 

[Dean Upson]

I agree with Casey (I usually do). The duallies will give you needed weight capacity if you are towing a heavy fiver. It really makes no difference how often you tow it, you either need the dually or you don't.

I would not ever buy a dually unless I either needed one or liked the looks of them. You get used to the width as soon as you get used to the extra length of the QC.



Dean

 

[Fireman]

I have to agree with Casey. I don't catch curbs and I don't have any harder time parking my dually than I did my 2500. I also know that carpentry tools and "some" cargo can get pretty heavy, if you have that and pull a cargo trailer at the same time you might be able to justify a dually. A work truck can get pretty loaded down.



Fireman

 

[y-knot]

You must be leaning toward the SRW. Your trailer isn't much of a load, and your post doesn't seem to indicate you will ever have much in the bed, with the exception of the camper. And by your own admission, that is only used a couple times a year. The tire thing really shoudn't be a concern, and I can not recall the last time I hit a curve. The one area that has some merit is when parking, in city areas the parking spaces are small, and a dually ins't. When I ordered my truck there wasn't one minuet lost to the consideration of DRW vs SRW, just never happened. I think most people that use, need or want a dual rear wheeled truck, don't have to worry about the decision. They feel comfortable enough that it isn't an issue. Two extra tires every three years isn't much argument, nor are the curbs, or parking. They are small when compared to the real reasons for buying a DRW truck.

 

[ImagesThatSing]

Ditto! We have owned both, the only real consideration is if you really need the extra capacity. Also, fees for emissions are more since you have to go to a "big Truck" place. Really, it is not a difficult decision for those who need one. Others can pass with little consequence.

 

[Dean Upson]

Originally posted by ImagesThatSing

Ditto! Also, fees for emissions are more since you have to go to a "big Truck" place. Really, it is not a difficult decision for those who need one. Others can pass with little consequence.

No emissions testing for trucks over 10K in CT. DRW gets by without test SRW doesn't . Diesels used to be exempt altogether, then they just made trucks over 10K exempt. I have never had to put a truck thru emissions since they started the program many years ago .



Dean

 

[daytripper63]

I was never a fan of training wheels until I Bought my 03 drw

My 98 srw towed great never had a problem but my new 03 drw is great, more stable all around smoother when towing although not fun to take to the store or any parking lot

 

[muzzy]

The great looks of a dually should be the deciding factor

Seriously though, I have not had a problem parking or getting in most drive thrus. This is my first dually after owning about a million other vehicles and love the looks and handling when pulling a big load.

 

[Ramrod]

I just sold my 98 drw. I have a S&S slide in camper. It wieghs 3300 before I add any water, clothes, firdge contents etc... I did install 5000LB. Firestone Air bags on the dually. They worked great. I am going to be ordering a new 3500 SRW as soon as Dodge lets me. I was considering putting my camper on her and adding some air bags again. I know the stability is a issue, but I am a driving instructor in the Porsche Club of America. I think I know how to drive with a less than ideal situation. I guess I really won't know until I try it. Its a long time away. Its dodges fault. I want a new truck today :{ :{ :{ :{

 

[Peter Campbell]

I got the SRW. Will only tow occasionally but it is set up for it. Legally can only do about 2200# pin weight. The size( width ) extra tires and unsprung weight ( a big factor when empty) of the DRW pushed me to the SRW. If I towed heavier I would bite the bullet. Right now 14,000Lb GN dump/equipment hauler. At the limit for SRW 3500. If you tow a lot, don't live in the land of tolls like I do( NY), and do not mind the extra size- go for what you want. I got the quad cab long bed. The extra size is the length, makes parking a little bit of a challenge. And it only has about 2' more of wheelbase over the Reg cab long bed - go figure.

Take all this with a grain of salt. Have not got the B&W installed yet- so I have not towed. I have towed the 14K with the 2500- yes it is overloaded.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

I got a dually just cuz its freak'n cool!



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[bkaiser]

The decision was easy for me - I like how stable the camper is with the dually. It only gets used a half a dozen times a year, but confidence is worth a lot.



The only thing I have found that the QC dually doesn't do well is parallel park. Ain't no way a 20' 9" truck wants to fit in a 22' parking space when it has to go sideways to do it.



If you travel through a lot of tolls, it can get pricey. This past weekend I discovered that the Maine Turnpike has one rate for 2 axle, 6 tired vehicles - so I paid the same as a straight job at 24K GVW. *******s.



Good luck with your decision - you'll love either truck!

 

[AKsmoker]

Dually for me! This is my third dodge and my first dually. I went for the dually because of my hauling needs and because I was tired of questioning myself on my truck capability. It has its drawbacks but honestly Id never go back. Its stable with the camper and a load. I appreciate the extra wheels. Ever have a blow out while hauling a load? That experience can make you a true believer. Some people have a habit of trying to do more with their rigs than they should. To each his own I guess, only it took me three trucks to find the right one!

 

[Dean Upson]

Originally posted by bkaiser

This past weekend I discovered that the Maine Turnpike has one rate for 2 axle, 6 tired vehicles - so I paid the same as a straight job at 24K GVW. *******s.

The toll roads in New Hampshire, Mass Pike and all the roads and bridges all screw the dually driver. The DMV loves us, too . It's worth it, I love my dually and use alternate routes when practical.



Dean

 

[Steve G]

My last truck was a dually. (4X2) I bought it because I wanted it. I had no need for it what-so-ever. The only problems I had was getting stuck on boat ramps unless I carried 4-500 lbs of sand in the back. The few days that we had ice... forget about it. If I would have got the 4X4, I think that I wouldn't have had these problems. As far as driving around town, I never had any problems. The bottom line is get what you want. It's your money.

Enjoy whatever you decide.



Steve

 

[TCDiesel]

I have had both,Here are the benefits of the SRW,First option price,Than tire cost DRW tires wear out the same as the SRW because their are smaller with double the cost,If you do any off road use,landfills,etc the DWR tire cost will be SHOCKING,Next the rotating mass DRW,Has twice as much with the same ,travel,trans,axle,springs,brakes,engine, This means ride and mileage will be affected. The SRW will put trailers in spots the DRW could never manages. . The SRW handles much better in the winter months. also the SRW will pull more because of the extra rotating mass that will rob you of HP. Bed use the SRW bed is a lot more operator friendly.



DRW benefits,More weight in bed, More stable on dry pavement less on wet or snow. Looks different.