SRW vs. DRW

[rwlouks]

I've been thinking about something that was mentioned in Mike's new truck post, that new SRW trucks are rated to tow more than DRW trucks were a few years ago. I looked up the Ford towing guides and it's true (for Ford at least), my 2011 F350 SRW is rated to tow a larger 5th wheel than the 2005 F350 DRW.

I'm pulling the longest, heaviest (dry weight) 5er Cardinal makes with a SRW. Granted I don't tow it often ( a couple of times a year) and I live in Michigan so no mountains, but all of my trips are 300+ miles one way. I have never had a bit of trouble towing with my SRW. So, I'm wondering what the advantage of a DRW is. Maybe I'm just too dumb to know enough to be afraid

[Mike Clay]

My .02 worth is unless you are towing a very heavy pin weight trailer or GN or a slide in camper you are fine with a SRW truck. Obviously you can carry more weight in the bed of a DRW because of the extra tires, if my trailer were to weigh as much as Olbirds 15k plus I probably would have gotten training wheels. But with that said his pin weight is no more then mine the length is about the same and he is about 1,500 lbs heavier then I am. But we are starting to talk about different things now like weight of trailer compared to the truck. The new Chevy (since i do not know anything about Ford numbers) SRW will be within limits but who is controlling who. I think it all comes down to either the trailer manufactures need to whoa up on these huge heavy trailers or the truck manufactures like GM needs to bring back something like the Topkick where you have a better truck weight to trailer weight ratio.

Your kind of caught between a rock and a hard place since I use my truck everyday the Topkick or similar size truck or even a DRW would not work for me since I have to get into tight places with it all the time. Now if I were on the road all the time that would be a different story.

[Rob & Cathy]

I've been thinking about something that was mentioned in Mike's new truck post, that new SRW trucks are rated to tow more than DRW trucks were a few years ago. I looked up the Ford towing guides and it's true (for Ford at least), my 2011 F350 SRW is rated to tow a larger 5th wheel than the 2005 F350 DRW.

LOL, I looked it up too and found the same thing. With everything else being equal a 2011 F350 SRW is rated to pull a heavier 5th wheel than a 2005 F530 DRW. Of course that's a six year difference with a 6 speed vs 5 speed transmission and a 6.7L vs 6.0L PSD.

Rob

[campswithcritters]

So Rob, when are you getting your new big trailer and truck?

[Rob & Cathy]

So Rob, when are you getting your new big trailer and truck?

Well, don't hold your breath. However, if you were to talk to Cathy about the new RK trailers...

Rob

[rwlouks]

I think it all comes down to either the trailer manufactures need to whoa up on these huge heavy trailers or the truck manufactures like GM needs to bring back something like the Topkick where you have a better truck weight to trailer weight ratio.

I hadn't thought about the truck to trailer weight ratio, but with all of the trailer sway control features and integrated trailer brakes that work with the truck's anti-locks it might not be as much of an issue as it was before. I don't know, this is the first 5th wheel we've had (Dawn and I went from camping in a tent for 20+ years to the 34QRL, talk about a step UP )

I'm not sure where the trailer manufactures can go from here, if they make them much longer you won't be able to park them anywhere! Maybe they will add a slide that gives you 2 extra bedrooms in a second floor

[bayoubengal]

Like Mike said, the main concern is the weight in the bed over the rear axle. Would not be as concerned about how much it can tow. It's all about a safe payload. As long as you weigh your rig fully loaded and ready for a long trip and the weight doesn't exceed the payload limits for your truck you are good to go.

[bigbunkhouse]

OK I am confused as to why you guys are surprised here, the companies are always increasing GCVWR and The single rear wheel trucks are always rated to haul more than the duallys just like the 2wd are always rated to haul more than the 4x4 because the GCVWR does not change but the dual wheels and 4x4 stuff takes away from that number. Example:
http://changingears.com/Ford-1999-Towin ... artial.pdf
1999 f350 gas 4:30 gears 2wd dually crew cab rated to tow------13600#
same but single wheel 13900# shows about 300# for extra wheels and assorted parts
http://www.fordvehicles.com/trucks/supe ... ns/towing/
2011 f350 gas 4:30 gears 2wd dually crew cab rated to tow------15000#
same but single wheel 15400# shows about 400# for extra wheels and assorted parts
the 99 has GCVWR of 20000#
the 11 has GCVWR of 22500#

now the 99 20000 minus 13600 leaves 6400 for the truck

and the 11 22500 minus 15000 leaves 7250 for the truck

but yes the now higher GCVWR fronm the bigger brakes and modern technology seems to increase in parallel the increase in tow ratings

the 2500# increase in GVWR neted only 1400# gain in tow ability, to me this shows the weight gain of the truck

The current 15400# of the new 2011 single is 1800# higher than than the 1999 dually of 13600#
not surprising with the 2500# increase in GCVWR but nice to see the companies beefing up the trucks

What I never liked was that the highest rated truck has always been the regular cab gas powered 2wd truck, which in reality we all know that the crew cab long bed dually diesel would be the best choice for the biggest heaviest trailer,

my .02 cents (more like 756034 cents)

[Rob & Cathy]

What I never liked was that the highest rated truck has always been the regular cab gas powered 2wd truck,

Matt, doesn't that just apply to payload? A gas 2wd is a lighter truck than a Diesel 4wd truck.

Rob

[bayoubengal]

Rob, You're right on the money, the lighter regular cab gasser SRW 2WD has the highest payload not necessarily the highest tow rating.

[Mike Clay]

Well Matt dont be confused because im not surprised

[bigbunkhouse]

What I never liked was that the highest rated truck has always been the regular cab gas powered 2wd truck,

Matt, doesn't that just apply to payload? A gas 2wd is a lighter truck than a Diesel 4wd truck.

Rob

I seems that recently they have increased GCVWR on the diesel rigs but check my 99 link above and look under 5th wheel towing, the highest rating is the 2 and 350 gas single 2x4 cause till recently the GCVWR was the same and after removing the weight of the diesel, 4x4 axle, transfer case, training wheels, fenders, etc that amount is the amount more they rated them to carry to get to the Gross, COMBINED vehicle weight rating, so yes, they are (or were) rated to tow more.

[bigbunkhouse]

Well Matt dont be confused because im not surprised

I have no confusion, i know you are not surprised!

[Travelers]

Interesting.
Having had the opportunity to drive a new pickup every year (before I retired) allowed me to test various combinations; 2wd, 4wd, v10, diesel, long box, short bed, SRW/DRW and all F350. Like Matt stated, each combination changes the weight of the truck and that changes the weight of the trailer.

My personal preference (experience) AND the ability to tow anything I plan to own is the F350, 4x4, DRW, supercab, long box, diesel is my first choice (Diann would like the SRW). I like the DRW for its stabilty in crosswinds. The DRW also works wonders on highways that the 18 wheelers have made ruts in. Just my opinion.

[Chief409]

My dully is my daily driver, when I head to a city (NOT often ) I haven't had much problem. As I've mentioned before, I have had a rear tire blow out on a C/K 3500 single rear without a trailer, in a strong cross-wind, and was lucky I wasn't killed. Losing a rear tire at 70 mph is a real E ticket ride. Watch a NASCAR race and see what happens when a car loses a rear tire at speed and you'll get an idea of what I mean. During our recent 3000 mile trip to Washington, towing with the dully was a dream. Very stable in cross-winds and curves, a very noticeable improvement compared to the F250 I used to tow with. The hardest things I had to get used to is the increased width front and rear (the Tow Boss dully comes with the optional extended track front end) and the looong wheelbase with the Crew Cab and 8 foot bed.