2500 SRW vs 3500 DRW

avolnek · 01-08-2014, 08:50 AM

Hey All, my father currently owns a 2012 megacab 2500 cummins. he's got a columbus 365 I believe that he tows with it. This year he put 15,000 miles on the truck. He calculated that roughly 12,000 of it was towing the camper! We have installed a DPF/EGR delete kit, air bags and a hellwig rear sway bar on his truck.

My question is- Is he going to see much of a benefit/difference going to a dually?

I would really like to push him in this direction, the biggest reason I'm not pushing too hard is that he has a detached double car garage he is parking it in currently and it has the two separate 9' wide doors. He nor I is opposed to re structuring that door to become a single extra wide to help ease the in and out of the dually...

What are your thoughts. Would really like to hear from epeyndady (spelling... sorry...) As my mother hates the looks of the dually as well as my father isn't sure he would be comfortable driving around without the trailer and I know I've read somewhere about you speaking on that specific topic...

**ependydad** · 01-08-2014, 09:35 AM

As I've been called out before- I'm quite a newbie when it comes to towing. I can't tell you what difference he'll feel or if it'll be "better" (I know that one gets OldCoot's goat- ie, what defines "better"). But- I can safely say, we have a single car garage on the smaller side (suburban living at its finest) and my truck is too tall, too wide and too long to fit in. Not that I'd actually get the garage, it sucks not being able to pull it in to tinker or install/remove the hitch. However, you said it has 9' doors- it'll be cozy but doable. He just has to be mindful coming in/going out.

As for convenience of around town driving- there are extra hassles as expected. I have about 23,000 miles on the truck and have had it since May 2012 but only 5,000-6,000 of those miles are towing miles (maybe more, but a majority of my driving is non-towing). I'm blessed to not have a daily commute.

In that driving, I've done most of things people say you can't do - drive thrus (here, length is more the issue- I've ridden up and over curbs because of it and try to avoid the tight ones; you learn which are truck friendly and which aren't), drive up ATMs (height is more of an issue than width), close parking (did malls and shopping centers for Christmas shopping BUT I prefer far away parking spots- someone hit my rear driver's side dual and didn't leave a note

) and have driven it in Baltimore city (haven't done DC), I even took it into a parking garage in Baltimore with a circular entry (don't want to do it again, but I pulled it off. We used to regularly take it to women's lacrosse games at Hopkins. I've had it in beach towns with the tight parking required there (and no way to get away from it). Even used it for all of the major tourist trap attractions in Orlando and everywhere between.

I cannot take it to any automatic car wash around here. Though, there used to be a guy at the gas station who would wash and vacuum it for $40. Sadly, "Prince" took over and now he wants $80 at a minimum but does more detailing.

I've parallel parked it once- POORLY. Not sure what happened there. It was a huge spot.

Even though I did it all above- a lot of stereotypes are true. I prefer parking further out to avoid my fellow idiots who hit things (both my vehicles are victims of hits right now

). I prefer to avoid most drive thrus (belly appreciates it, too). For city driving- I prefer my car over the truck. It's doable, but jus takes some extra care.

For me, the dually gives me the most stable platform for towing my 40'+ and 14k+ and honestly I can't imagine towing it with less (anyone, really but specifically *ME*). Having the extra "oomph" possibly saved me from me when I wholly botched my parking at a campground. The negatives above are overtaken by what I feel like is the right truck for me/the job at hand- I wanted a big camper, a big truck was required.

**ependydad** · 01-08-2014, 09:38 AM

I like how she looks. Like I said before - I don't mind my girl's big butt. I like a chick with big hips!

Dave_Monica · 01-08-2014, 11:21 AM

The obvious difference would be the payload...the 3500 DRW will have 2+ times the payload of the 2500 MegaCab, which are low due to their extra size. I don't think anyone will argue that a dually will provide more stable towing which is most of his miles on the truck.

Dave

BigTJohn · 01-08-2014, 11:56 AM

Looking at charts for RAM trucks, the 3500 DRW payload is 3800 lbs approx and the 2500 is 2500 lbs approx. The 3500 SRW is a little less than the DRW and does not have the "disadvantage" of the hippier rear end. It will handle "better" (the same as the current 2500 he has) than the DRW in most circumstances, have more payload than the 2500 and very easily drag around almost all but the bigger toy haulers and really big 5ths. Less $$ for tires (4 vs 6) and fuel should be a little less as there is less resistance on the road. Also a 4X2 will haul more than the 4X4. But in as everything there is the "IMHO" and "my trailer/TV, my way". It all adds up to "what you want, you get".

Dave_Monica · 01-08-2014, 12:04 PM

Is he looking at a 3500 Mega Cab short bed dually or a 3500 Crew Cab long bed dually? There's quite a difference in payload between the two...about 1000 lbs according to the Ram towing specs. Here's the link for 2012... http://www.ramtrucks.com/en/towing_g...wing.Specs.pdf

Dave

**ependydad** · 01-08-2014, 12:18 PM

Dave, the pre-2013 MegaCabs have unusually low payload capacities. Even more than the extra cab weight would account for. I think it has something to do with the springs for the rear end.

From 2013 and onwards, the MegaCabs got the respectable payload numbers that you would expect.

Dave_Monica · 01-08-2014, 01:44 PM

Doug, I see what you mean with the increased payload of the Mega Cab 3500 SRW and DRW, but the 2500 Mega Cab Cummins still have a payload less than 2000 lbs.

Dave

avolnek · 01-08-2014, 02:37 PM

He would be looking at the 3500 crew cab long bed not another mega. I am solely looking for the stability difference from a srw to a drw.

With the air bags his 2500 is 3500 capable... same axles on the 2500 and 3500, same motor, tranny, gears, cooling ect ect.... just leaf springs are diff so I solely looking for stability differences... would it be worth the trade? Or better off driving this one to the point he'd trade anyways and then consider it?

Doug would you go with another DRW or go to a SRW if you could do it over?

**ependydad** · 01-08-2014, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avolnek

Doug would you go with another DRW or go to a SRW if you could do it over?

For me- yes, I'd go DRW again.

Chewie · 01-08-2014, 03:46 PM

Stability. Period. Once you pull heavy with a DRW you won't want to go back. I never have to worry about payload or overloading my truck. I'm on my 3rd DRW.

transamz9 · 01-08-2014, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chewie

Stability. Period. Once you pull heavy with a DRW you won't want to go back. I never have to worry about payload or overloading my truck. I'm on my 3rd DRW.

That's not necessarily true. I pull heavy all the time and my rig is on the heavy side and I rather do it with my srw.

Chewie · 01-08-2014, 05:55 PM

To each their own. I prefer DRW.

V-Dub · 01-09-2014, 02:17 AM

Is there a value difference in dual vs single on resale? Or is it a case of 'just shut up and make the best deal you can'?

transamz9 · 01-09-2014, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chewie

To each their own. I prefer DRW.

This is true that's why I posted.

If you want more stability, buy a cab and chassis.

SammySabre · 01-09-2014, 07:31 AM

None of you guys talked about safety yet. The big 1 ton DRW has a more stable ride yes. But when it comes to evasive maneuvers, braking, payload capacity, and GCVWR the dually gives you the safety margin the 2500 SRW does not have. That Columbus 365BH is pushing the capability of a single axle 3/4 ton truck. The big bunkhouse and toyhauler rigs should be running behind at least a 1 ton truck. Sure you can pull them with a 3/4 ton, but do you really want to be maxing out your truck's capability?

There is also issues with running overloaded and accidents. Tickets, denied insurance claims, responsibility, lawyers and lawsuits all come to mind. Risking all that to fit in a garage and a carwash to keep your beloved truck pretty is the Glamper's way however.

transamz9 · 01-09-2014, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SammySabre

None of you guys talked about safety yet. The big 1 ton DRW has a more stable ride yes. But when it comes to evasive maneuvers, braking, payload capacity, and GCVWR the dually gives you the safety margin the 2500 SRW does not have. That Columbus 365BH is pushing the capability of a single axle 3/4 ton truck. The big bunkhouse and toyhauler rigs should be running behind at least a 1 ton truck. Sure you can pull them with a 3/4 ton, but do you really want to be maxing out your truck's capability?

There is also issues with running overloaded and accidents. Tickets, denied insurance claims, responsibility, lawyers and lawsuits all come to mind. Risking all that to fit in a garage and a carwash to keep your beloved truck pretty is the Glamper's way however.

Looks have nothing to do with what I choose to tow with. My 2500 is just as capable as any 2005 3500 srw and other than tire capacity as capable as any 2005 3500 DRW pickup. When set up correctly, a srw will do a lot of work safely.

As you can see, I have had both trucks at the same time and pulled the same camper set up and the last picture is what I choose to keep.....

dezolen · 01-09-2014, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave_Monica

Doug, I see what you mean with the increased payload of the Mega Cab 3500 SRW and DRW, but the 2500 Mega Cab Cummins still have a payload less than 2000 lbs.

Dave

That's why I never even would consider a Dodge 3/4 ton when I was shopping

AquaMan · 01-09-2014, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by transamz9

Looks have nothing to do with what I choose to tow with. My 2500 is just as capable as any 2005 3500 srw and other than tire capacity as capable as any 2005 3500 DRW pickup. When set up correctly, a srw will do a lot of work safely.

As you can see, I have had both trucks at the same time and pulled the same camper set up and the last picture is what I choose to keep.....

I'm still amazed at this setup and surprised you don't get pulled over constantly. By your specs (boat being 4500-5k, this sounds high to me), you're over on payload, GCWR, and length(75'+?)(in most, if not all states). It's evident your truck is able to pull this, but I would think the liability issue would most certainly come into play should you be involved in an accident, and would hate to think how any type of quick evasive maneuver at highway speed would end. Be safe!

Chewie · 01-09-2014, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by V-Dub

Is there a value difference in dual vs single on resale? Or is it a case of 'just shut up and make the best deal you can'?

The cost about $1k-ish? sticker when comparing to srw in the same trim. But you can usually find deals because they are harder to sell over a srw. Most buyers go for srw except those who are looking for DRW and know what they want to buy. As for resale? Have no idea.

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