GCWR SRW vs DRW

[dodgeguy44]

This has no doubt been hashed over many times on here but I picked up a book from my local DC dealer on pickup dimensions. It lists the gcwr for 3500 srw and drw at the same weight, 21000 w/3. 73 and 23000 w/4. 10.



I have been looking at newer 3500 2wd trucks and if I can tow as much legally, in some jurisdictions, with a srw as I can with a drw I think you know where I'm headed with this. I know a drw is much more stable, safe, etc, etc... ... ... . but a srw is more economical fuel and maintanance wise, and easier for my "better half" to drive.



My unit weighs 21500 lbs ready to go, now take off the dual rear wheels and 4X4, what would I gain in carrying capacity? It may be plenty to pull this unit with a single rear wheel 3500 in all states and provinces.



Just my thoughts and questions before selling my 98 3500.

 

[jimnance]

Are you sure you are within the GVWR and rear axle weight on the 2WD 3500? Reason I ask is tongue weight on that size rig ought to be pretty high.

 

[Silver600]

You need to look at how much your rear axle is loaded with the trailer attached. The GCWR is not a legally enforceable number, it is just to protect DC from warranty claims. As long as you don't overload any of your axles or tires you will be fine legally. I ended up getting a dually because the pin weight of my toyhauler overloaded my SRW rear axle rating.

 

[dodgeguy44]

Dry hitch weight of our 5th wheel is 1900 lbs so probably around 2600 lbs loaded. Our last trailer had the same hitch weight and with a Dodge 2500 2wd it was over the rear axle weight by 300 lbs so I'm guessing with a 2wd 3500 srw I should be legal.



I need to find a 3500 2wd srw to hook up to and weigh before I make a final decision to trade.



Maybe I can get her to cut down on some of the things she packs inside... ... ... ... . it was just a thought

 

[bulabula]

Dodge Guy, FYI my 4x4 weighed 7080 pounds new - I'd guess a 4x2 would be about 300 lbs less. I'm sure someone with a 4x2 will chime in with the weights.



You won't exceed the axle or tire ratings on the new truck with your trailer hooked up, but you might come close the trucks gross vehicle weight rating of 9900 lbs when fully loaded.



I would think a 4x2 SRW could do the job you want it to, but if you're over 20k gross, I'd go with a dooley.

 

[Silver600]

You won't exceed the axle or tire ratings on the new truck with your trailer hooked up, but you might come close the trucks gross vehicle weight rating of 9900 lbs when fully loaded.

Good point, I forgot to mention not exceeding the GVWR in my above post. My SRW was about 300 lbs over GVWR but about 800 over rear GAWR. Just FYI since mine really isn't a comprable trailer.

 

[dodgeguy44]

Here in Alberta there are no rules or regs on rv towing weights. However other provinces and states do watch very closely. We do tow to Arizona and back so we need to be legal in those states as well as tow safely. My delemna is getting a truck my wife can and will drive when we get to where we're going. Therefore the want or need for a smaller truck.



I'm still wondering though why the Dodge towing specs show the 3500 srw tow rating the same as drw? It really dosen't have alot of bearing on the legal load of the truck it's just strange it's listed the same.



I would think the difference in weight would be more than 300 lbs but maybe not. Hopefully someone with 2wd will have a weight for comparison.

 

[ridgid]

This discussion is more about what the truck (front & rear axle) weight is than the gross combined weight. If you are near or over 9900 lb. on the 2 truck axles, you need a dually no matter what the trailer weighs.

 

[HBarlow]

I agree with Ridgid's comment above. Gross combined weight ratings are not relevant in your decision process because either a SRW or DRW truck has sufficient capacity for your combined weight.



Your decision will have to be based on axle weights and gross weight of the tow vehicle when loaded. You don't really want to exceed either.



If you know the rear axle weight of your current truck including the pin weight of your trailer, loaded for travel, you could probably estimate that a new SRW truck's rear axle would be approximately 150-160 lbs. lighter with two rear tires instead of four.



In most cases a moderate to large fifth wheel trailer will put too much pin weight on the rear axle of the truck and will exceed the rear axle capacity with two tires and will exceed the 9900 lb. GVWR.



Driving a dually with excess unused capacity will never harm you. Driving an overloaded SRW truck that cost $40k US, more in CN currency, could harm you and may not be very satisfying.





Harvey

 

[Silver600]

I'm still wondering though why the Dodge towing specs show the 3500 srw tow rating the same as drw? It really dosen't have alot of bearing on the legal load of the truck it's just strange it's listed the same.

Both trucks can pull the same amount of weight, they have the same engine, transmission and axle ratio. GCWR doesn't really take into account the percentage of trailer weight the truck is carrying vs. the percentage it is just having to pull. The amount of weight the truck is carrying is what tends to overload the rear axle so quickly on a SRW.



My SRW had no problem towing my trailer and I toyed with the idea of 19. 5s which would have made it safer but it didn't increase my axle rating. The deciding factor in getting a dually was the fact that most insurance is void if you are overloaded at all.

 

[PatrickCampbell]

Are you sure you want a RWD truck in Canada?



21500 lbs, you would likely be very close to the rear axle tire limits on a SRW truck, but probably not over if its 2600 lbs pin weight.



If you are sick of a DRW,get a SRW 3500 and if that isn't good enough, spring for 19. 5's!

 

[dodgeguy44]

I have to agree with everyone, drw is the way to go, then she can load what ever she wants in the trailer and it's not the end of the world for her to drive it either. I don't like the larger truck with 2 more tires to maintain but with this size of trailer and the amount of storage it will be alot safer and legal pulling with a drw.



The main reasons I want a rwd is they sit lower, are lighter, lower maintainace, ride better, and it only pulls my trailer. When the weather is bad here I have a 4X4 work truck I use.



Now I have to find one and sell my 98.

 

[CUMMINZ]

DodgeGuy44

I have two perfect examples for you to look at. Take a look at both sites closely.



www.GoRowan.com/2004ram



www.GoRowan.com/2006ram



My 2004. 5 SRW, I added a rear sway bar and two full length leaf springs. This rig pulled my 36' Cedar Creek absolutely perfect. I averaged 3k on the rear axle. The direct load on the truck was handled perfect. I had 8ply BFGs / 315s. The truck rode like a caddy but did have a little wiggle from side to side. A set of 19. 5s would have made this truck perfect.



Since moving to a 37 footer and closer to retirement, we felt like moving to a dually was the way to go. The improvement in the transmission and looks also helped us make our move.



After towing the larger RV with a dually proves to me that we made the right choice. The biggest holdback with a SRW by far and I think everyone will agree is the tires. The tire makers badly need to make some 12-16 ply 16"-18" tires.



The load in the bed of any truck is not the only consideration. The longer you go with RV lengths applies side loadings on the vehicle that you can not measure. This is where the dual rear tire vehicles shine.



Just keep in mind that any rig barreling down the highway that blows out a tire (front or rear) or the rig has to make an emergency stop can get in trouble real quick. :-{}



My dually handles the load in the bed NO better than did my 2004. 5 but the dually rides and handles much more stable.



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[klenger]

That is one very nice looking truck (the dually)