SRW vs DRW

[PFreeman]

I have an 03 CTD 3500 quad cab 4wd 6 spd. with 4:10 axle. I've been towing my 35ft. Travel Supreme 3 axle fifth wheel which weighs about 15,500# wet. Haven't been very far with it, but we're thinking about going west this summer,(about 4500 miles round trip). I'm concerned about the SRW setup with that load (lose a rear tire at highway speed, and, BUMMER!). I have about 2700# hitch weight. I'm thinking about trading for a new '05 dually with automatic. I measured the height of my bed at 56", and the dually 4wd is 59". With my trailer sitting level, the bottom of the overhang is 63". Is that enough clearance? Also, is the 48re transmission up to the task with a 4:10 axle? I can buy a 2wd dually, but I really like the peace of mind that comes with the 4wd!

 

[Texas Diesel]

My opinion: SRW = death with a rear blowout with that kind of load.



DRW = Cuss and buy a new tire and continue happily on your way.





Thats just how I see it.



4", not enough in my opinion.



The 48RE will be up to the task especially with 4. 10, good choice. This from conversations with mechanics / owners.



Get the DRW and live.

 

[Slow Six]

I am towing a similar set up. I towed with my 2500 before going to my 03 dually. The difference is night and day. The dually is a lot more stable and real comfortable to drive. We took a 7500 mile trip this past winter, part of it down the west coast from Seattle to L. A. and stayed on # 1 all the way. It was really nice having the training wheels on all the twists and turns of that highway. As far as ride height, these new 3500's settle a long way when loaded. I have about 2600 lbs. pin weight and when loaded the trailer is level. I only have 4-5 inches of clearance which is close and I have to be careful to avoid contact, but so far no problems. As for the auto I cannot say as I run the 6 speed which I really like other than in city traffic. Happy travels.

 

[LesStallings]

Cross winds are something to consider out West. The dual rear wheel setup will be very appreciated when you see SRW trucks using two lanes due to the wind. The load you are carrying is about the same as mine, and I would not consider a SRW truck. I have a lot of flexibility with my pin weight, as I can load my trailer any way I please. You will be more limited. If you get 2,500# on your pin/hitch, you will NEED the extra set of rear wheels!!!



Of course I'm biased! But I have been on the road with my gooseneck trailer for 12,000 miles over the last few months. This boy loves his dually...

 

[DPelletier]

I would buy a DRW for a large 5er or any slide in camper. That having been said, if your tongue weight is accurate (i. e. loaded and not advertised dry weight),then you would be close to the GVWR of the 3500 SRW. I'd buy the dually anyway, for the reasons noted above.



Out of curiosity, why the change to the auto? You don't see too many people going from the six speed to the auto, it's usually the other way around.



Cheers,

Dave

 

[JHofmann]

Another vote for getting a DRW truck. When we got our new toy hauler I upgraded from a 2500 to our 3500drw. My 2500 would of pulled the trailer, but in my eyes it was not safe. And I would stay with a 6 speed also. May be harder to find, but worth the effort.

 

[C. Harlan]

DRW 6 Speed gets my vote... That much weight, its alot nicer to have 2 extra gears, and select them yourself!!



Just my $. 02 worth!



-Chris-

 

[tractorseller]

White knuckle syndrome.........

You'll have a lot less of it with a DRW setup. I've towed a lot with a SRW setup and went to DRW in December. All I can say is there is no comparison, especially in windy conditions. I had no idea the difference would be that big. The stability is worth the fender sticking out there an extra 6" on each side IMHO. I haven't torn one of them off yet either :-laf .

 

[GerryDrake]

Dually 6 speed... Never will go back to either an auto or SRW. .



The stability, load capacity, and possibilities when losing a tire are paramount.



As to the transmission, having had an auto with a temp gauge and pulling up a few passes like west of Denver on I-70, I like that with the 6 speed, everything the engine puts out goes to ground rather than into heat to tear up the transmission. I'll never tow anything with an auto again. .

 

[Grizzly]

I have an 03 CTD 3500 quad cab 4wd 6 spd. with 4:10 axle. I've been towing my 35ft. Travel Supreme 3 axle fifth wheel which weighs about 15,500# wet. Haven't been very far with it, but we're thinking about going west this summer,(about 4500 miles round trip). I'm concerned about the SRW setup with that load (lose a rear tire at highway speed, and, BUMMER!). I have about 2700# hitch weight. I'm thinking about trading for a new '05 dually with automatic. I measured the height of my bed at 56", and the dually 4wd is 59". With my trailer sitting level, the bottom of the overhang is 63". Is that enough clearance? Also, is the 48re transmission up to the task with a 4:10 axle? I can buy a 2wd dually, but I really like the peace of mind that comes with the 4wd!

At 2700# pin weight you are close to your GVWR. You need the DRW and I would stay with 6 speed anytime. If you are going West, you will be going over many long high grade passes making the 4. 10 your best choice with the weight you are pulling.

 

[Turbo Thom]

Tex is right. No less the 6" clearance is necessary. And duals all they way

 

[PFerris]

I have an 03 drw HO 48re 4. 10, towing a 36ft 5vr mobile suites by doubletree. Hitch weight is 2500. I'm very happy with the truck and I think with your hitch weight you really would be better off with drw. pferris

 

[RustyJC]

PFerris,



Nice 5th wheel (see signature)!!!



DRW is the way to go for a heavy 5ver or gooseneck.



Rusty

 

[CUMMINZ]

Doolie dudes

You doolie dudes are right. My thoughts are that I like the quad cabs with a short box. With what I am towing and where I travel I like a more compact truck. To me a doolie is a truckers truck and it performs that way. My 2500 srw handles like a viper. I like that. I wished dodge made a doolie short bed.

 

[dzldpatriot]

I'm considering the same thing as PFreeman, only I don't have as much weight and I'm towing with a 2500. What other areas should I (or we) consider when moving to a 3500 drw? What sort of added maintenance would I be looking at besides 2 extra tires? How about hidden costs that I don't see now (registration fees, etc. )? I looked at a 3500 drw 4x4 6spd 4:10 rear today... sweet Oo.

For alot of reasons already stated, I'd like to move up. Plus more room for our 2 boys and Lab. Just looking at doing my homework first.

Glen

 

[Racechaser]

PFreeman, I was in the same boat somewhat, except I had a 2500. As soon as I weighed the truck and trailer I started shopping (see sig. ). My pin weight is at 2600 #'s, which put the truck way over the gvw. However I planned on upgrading after I found the 5'ver I liked. You need to consider how catastrophic a rear tire blowout will be with that much pin weight. An '05 drw 3500 4x4 will have a gvw of 12,200 #'s vs your 9,900 lbs.

As for the transmission, I don't know if you've towed that much weight with an auto before. I have experience with both, hands down my vote is for the six speed.

 

[LesStallings]

You doolie dudes are right. My thoughts are that I like the quad cabs with a short box. With what I am towing and where I travel I like a more compact truck. To me a doolie is a truckers truck and it performs that way. My 2500 srw handles like a viper. I like that. I wished dodge made a doolie short bed.

You might be surprised at the handling of a DRW. No racing car in existance has handled worse with a wider track and more rubber on the ground.

 

[CUMMINZ]

Handling LesStallings

Les I think you have missed my point. If you will read my post a little closer you will notice that I needed a more compact truck. The QCSB will out maneuver and turn shorter and go thru a smaller hole in the wall. There is nothing small about a doolie. I need a smaller truck.



CUMMINZ NC

2004. 5 CTD, Flip-Over/RV2, 32' KeyStone Sprinter, Tornado, TST, AMSOIL, 4x4, 4. 10LS, 315x70Rx17 BFG, 8" Factory cast aluminum, 2" front lift/w RC shocks, Line-X, Hellwig sway bar, Banks monster exhaust

My Truck at www.GoRowan.com/2004ram

 

[Kirwin]

VA Duallies

dzldpatriot, It was a shocking discovery when I retired from the Navy and had to pay $1435 smackers personal property tax on the 03 dually. No tax reduction on trucks over 7500 lbs in VA. Other than that and the extra 2 tires to replace I'd say maintenance is the same. I was expecting longer rear tire milage out of my dually, but I'd guess the Goodyear's that came on the truck will be worn out at about 50K miles. That's about what I got out of the 97's tires (SRW) when it was my primary pulling vehicle (they were Michleins). I am getting ready to add a 100 gallon Transfer-Flow in bed fuel tank. You can if you have a dually and still haul a big trailer and not go over the trucks GVWR! A good thing! Since you are so close maybe we can get together sometime. I camp up at Norge often and will be in Newport News Park in June. Send me a PM if you are interested. Ken Irwin

 

[Runaway Ron]

Tractor Seller,



How come you are selling your Duramax? How do you compare the two? I. E. Milage power ect. The other thing I noticed is that you have a turnover ball. Our truck which I purchased used, has one also. We are going to buy a 37 foot fifth wheel Toy Hauler and do not know whether the ball is the way to go or not. We have been slide in camper people and the kids are gone so we have the money for bigger toys! Thanks Ron