SRW vs DRW Help!

[Nomad_Haabs]

We have narrowed our fifth wheel down to 3..all with a gross weight between 16,500-16,800lbs, now for the truck...

We plan on getting a 3500 series but we can’t figure out if we NEED a DRW or if we would be fine with a SRW. I have talked to many who say single is fine, but when we do the math and add everything up, it seems we would be nearing the max payload on a single rear wheel truck. Are we missing something? We will be traveling all across the country and moving around as frequently as every 3 months.

 

[Lunge motorsport]

Its a good question...
If you figure the pin weight at 25% of 16,800 GVW that number is 4,200. Then add all other items that you will require for towing, ie hitch and so on...you quickly exhaust the payload of a SRW truck. Then consider all the items that you will carry in the truck that will reduce your payload, wife, kids, dogs, food and so on. There is no question in my mind what your tow vehicle requirements are. A diesel power plant will have a greatly reduced payload compared to a gas engine.

 

[dJohn]

If I were you I would go for the dually with the diesel engine. I pulled a 5th wheel with a pin weight of 2250 lbs with a 1 ton, non dually and it worked good but was getting to the limits of carry capacity. The dually has a much higher carry capacity. Also loved the engine brake on the Ram 3500, it worked great. Just my thoughts.

 

[Chargerman]

Dusky diesel would be my choice. Wouldn’t want to be close to max capacity and the diesel will pull much better without the sound of the pitons swapping cylinders like you would experience with a gas truck. I do own a gas truck but I don’t tow a fifth wheel or any loads near max capacity long distances.
Good luck with your choice!

 

[Nomad_Haabs]

On the GD website the solitude MBS-R for example, the UVW is 14,300 and the GVWR is 16,800 and the hitch weight is 2686. Is that hitch weight calculated for the gvwr, or the Uvw?

 

[Lunge motorsport]

Most 5th wheels trailers are designed to carry 20-25% of the weight on the pin. So the math indicates from your numbers that the GD is figuring roughly 19% of the UVW, I'll go for that.
The forum members are trying to lead you towards a dually with a diesel, I would agree that this advice is sound for a trailer of that weight. Arguments against that just don't make since to me. I tow with a gas engine 2500 that is within rated payload and towing capability. There are many things that I have done to both the TV and the trailer to make the truck/trailer combo safer and a more comfortable pull. My trailer is rated to 10,300 but scales at 9040 fully loaded on the axles. The truck is rated at 9200 and weighs 8920 fully loaded, all weights are trip ready, full propane, fridge, 100 gals of fresh water, pin weight is 1380. If you do the math, total trailer weight is 10,420 or 120lbs over GVW.
Now consider this:
I removed the junk 4400lb Lippert axles, electric drum brakes, and pathetically small 15x6'' wheels and 225/75 15 Trailer King maypop tires. I fabricated a 8'' steel frame extension 6' long of 2x8'' rectangular steel and welded it to the I beam trailer frame on each side to carry the new axles. I had a pair of Dexter 7000lb Torflex torsion axles fabricated to fit my new 3500lb each 17x9'' wheels using new LT e range truck tires on 8 bolt wheels with 13'' vented disc brakes and hydraulic 4 piston Dexter calipers and a Dexter elec/hyd actuator. The hydraulic lines are all steel except for the 16'' of braided stainless steel flexible hose at each axle to allow for axle articulation. So at this point I don't feel over weight given that the trailer now has real axles, wheels, and brakes with a rating of 7000lbs each axle, or 14,000lbs. This did not however raise the rated GVW of the trailer. The tow vehicle has the same 17x9'' wheels, air bags, Bilstein shocks and steering damper. 8 gauge wire is run from the brake controller to the actuator through a custom umbilical cord. Given all these improvements I would not want to pull more trailer than I am pulling now and you are asking about pulling a trailer weighing 60% more that has very poor suspension and brakes and you are considering a SRW truck. I know, there are plenty out there that do use a SRW on trailers that heavy and say that there are no problems. Think about the one trip that has you on a 7% 10 mile down grade and when you get to the bottom and your brakes are now pretty hot as you try to maintain less than supersonic speeds, then an emergency braking/swerving incident arises that you now have to negotiate...Man that diesel dually is sounding pretty good isn't it? Jake brake and 4 rear wheels for stability may make the difference on that day.
Cheers

 

[Lunge motorsport]

One more comment for emphasis...When I bought this truck I owned a relatively light travel trailer and did not anticipate a 5th wheel. In hindsight, I would buy the biggest damn truck that I could afford. For me, that truck would be an F 450...

 

[Gizmo]

Try this site. If you going to order a new truck make the dealer put what he says the payload in the contract and you have the right to refuse the truck it doesn't match. If you buying one on the lot make sure you check the sticker on the truck you going to buy and not some website.

TowingPlanner - towing capability calculators

 

[Gronk]

One thing to keep in mind is that you can NEVER have too much truck, but it is real easy to not have enough. When I first got my 38' fiver I had a 2500 truck that had 3500 suspension under it. It did OK towing, but by the end of the day I would feel wore out. I purchased a dually and the difference with the same trailer is this truck makes me enjoy going down the road towing! My recommendation is to get a bigger truck than what you think you need now because you will probably get a heavier trailer later on.

 

["EZ"]

You really need to pay attention when buying your 3500 pickup. I sell Ram trucks for a living and depending on how you spec the truck (engine, trans, gear, cab type, length of bed, 2wd or 4wd, HO Cummins or Reg Cummins etc.) , the Towing Capacity can range from 16,660 lbs.to 31,210 lbs. on a DRW 3500. The 2wd SRW crew cab 3500's are rated at 17,200 or 4wd rated at 16,850 lbs. Short beds add an extra 100 lbs or so. These are 2018 figures straight from my 2018 Ram Pocket Guide for Towing and Payload. The chart is too small to post. The numbers are so small it's hard to read.

My advice? Get a DWR 3500 and pay extra for the Aisen transmission. They are almost bullet proof. Let me know if I can answer any specific questions.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

pay extra for the Aisen transmission. They are almost bullet proof.

Thanks for that info, I have been wondering about the 6 speed.

 

["EZ"]

Thanks for that info, I have been wondering about the 6 speed.

I put the Aisen transmission in ALL the 3500/4500/5500 Ram Commercial chassis that I sell. The Aisen is as good as the Allison Automatic and I used to sell about 3000 Allison Transmissions a year into the towing industry in International and F650/750 chassis. If those tow truck drivers can't tear them up NOBODY can!

 

[Will711]

Ok, have a question. Purchasing a 3021 Laramie dwd. Highoutut, Asin, 3:73 not 4:10. When I Vin it, it says it will pull around 32000 is that correct? I thought I over sized my truck, but know am in question. 3712 kb Alpine about 16000 pounds empty, around 2000 pounds hitch if I am correct. Best hitch recommendation, do I need to bag it? Thanks

 

[Will711]

Crap 2021 dually

 

[FL-JOE]

Several years ago I pulled two different fivers (38' and 39'). I had a 2012 F350 SRW with the 6.7 diesel and 3.55 gear. It towed great but being full time I had around 2,000 pounds of extra "stuff" on board so my tongue weight was maxed. I installed Firestone air bags on the rear of the F350 to level out but I still worried about my weights constantly.

Fast forward to a few months ago purchasing a new 44' fiver. My tongue was probably going to be between 3,300 and 3,800 or more. I gave up on even looking at anything in SRW. Ended up with a F350 dually with max tow package so my tongue can go to 6,000 pounds and I still won't be over. Also made sure I was getting the 4.10 gear and 48 gallon fuel tank.

Just a side note, new Ford Super Duty trucks have 10 speed trannys now. Pretty sweet.

 

[Will711]

Thanks, can barely find a truck they are selling before they hit the lots. A little concerned it's not 4:10 gears and has the 3.73

 

[FL-JOE]

The 3.73 gear would still be better than the 3.55 gear IMHO. Actually you might get slightly better MPG with that 3.73 gear when not towing, depending on how you drive.

I feel your pain on locating the truck. I extended my dealer search radius out to 150 miles (central Florida). I was worried because once my Newmar sold and we located the fiver we wanted I knew I had to get the truck purchased (full timers). I certainly did not want to get stuck living in a motel for a month or two just because I couldn't find a truck.

I hit it just right and a dealer about 70 miles away had just gotten three F350 DRW units in that week. They were all equipped the exact same with the 8' bed and SRX package (no carpet). It was the perfect equipment package for what I needed.

 

[redbaron]

@"EZ" I have ordered a 2021 ram 3500 DRW with the ho cummins. I have been reading and it appears as 2021 rams have reverted to the older style fuel injector pump (cp3) that are more reliable than the cp4 used in 2020 and prior? Can you confirm?

I pull heavy horse trailers and soon a 4 car hauler for our jeep adventures. I have owned chevy 3/4tons since 2003. The 2003 duramax had terrible Bosch injectors, but the 2013 has been flawless. The only reason I am getting the drw is the weight of the trailers is too much for my srw.

The reason for the Ram is I hate the GM interior that's available now, and refuse to have an aluminum bed.

I didn't opt to get the Mopar gooseneck, as I prefer the B&W setup. It means I lose that fancy in bed factory connector, but I have never used a 4 pin in the bed, so I don't think it's a huge loss. The factory ball does not allow you to flip the ball upside down and leave it in place. That's a feature I've used for 25years, and can't imagine changing.

 

[Joe Hogan]

Ram Moves Away From The CP4.2 Injection Pump For 2021:

Over the past few days, posts have been springing up on Facebook as people have been looking at 2021 Ram Heavy Duties, which are now landing on dealer lots. One thing that has been pointed out was a new injection pump on Cummins diesel equipped trucks. 2021 Ram Heavy Duty Cummins Diesel...

moparinsiders.com

 

[Will711]

Finally getting closure, have a 2021 3712 kb Alpine. Closing on a 2021 Laramie, dwd high output after they spray the bedli er and put running boards on. Gave the air level system up and 4:10, went with 3.73 hope it doesn't bite me in the but. Now I need a hitch. They might have a Mopar 30000 pounds hitch a couple years old that was never used, but dont know anything about them (comments). Looking at trail savers, but checkbook went into lockdown mode after these two purchases.