Dually or Not????

[MeepMeep]

Dually all the way. Load feels lighter and more controllable. The trade off is you have to remember to "button hook" or you'll het a few curbs....

[davel1971]

all the people putting bags on their 3/4 tons, could have had a 1 ton for same money and no need for bags. I'm glad I went with the 1 ton single wheel. Hardly any more money than 3/4 ton and you have much more payload due to auxiliary springs

[Herk7769]

As most folks know, air bags only smooth out the bumps. They DO NOT increase payload or GVWR. Only upgrading to the next level truck will do that.

[davel1971]

Originally Posted by Herk7769

As most folks know, air bags only smooth out the bumps. They DO NOT increase payload or GVWR. Only upgrading to the next level truck will do that.

exactly, that's why I can't believe single wheel 1 tons don't outsell 3/4 tons. Your talking maybe several hundred dollars for a lot more payload. Sounds like a no brainer to me. Same ride quality, as you won't touch the auxiliary springs till you get a bit of load on it.

[Twisty]

Do you need a dooly?
I do not need one so I didn't buy one.
3400 lbs payload is adequate for me.

[Ramblin Recks]

Originally Posted by Chewie

X2.

X3- great truck towing or in town.

[btritschler1437]

I had 3/4; one ton SRW; now one ton DRW. Of the three I like the DRW, feels like one solid unit going down the road.

[Mad DADDY]

Originally Posted by acadianbob

Not sure where you live but an empty dually is a nightmare during Minnesota winters. Make sure you really need it.

My 2012 dodge 3500 was awful with stock general tires. Put a set of nitto terra grapplers and it is great in the snow and does great on the open road.

[northwestill]

Owned a F350 dually crewcab since 05 pulling 2014 3850 Cardinal wouldn't have it any other way like the stability.

[lgray]

Originally Posted by Twisty

Do you need a dooly?
I do not need one so I didn't buy one.
3400 lbs payload is adequate for me.

This is the first question, need a dually? Will your fifth wheel fully loaded come close to a 17,500 – 18,000 ¾ ton capacity? Is the “stability” a necessity or psychological?
Other considerations:
How much sightseeing will you do when you get to your destination? If you plan on driving your TV, then a ¾ ton has some advantages.
Chevy 1 ton circle radius nearly 56 feet v ¾ ton 51 feet. Parking…you get it.
A ¾ will do a little better on fuel and will ride and corner better. A ¾ ton with bags gives you the ability add support when needed, let the air out when not needed for better ride.
Air bags do not add payload, they do level the TV, (headlights and safeguard against bottoming out). Many 1 ton owners use them as well.
Another question is will you be requiring 4 wheel drive and/or going off road…if so, additional advantages with a ¾ ton.

[BBBlue]

Had the same dilemma last year. Single or dual rear drive. Ended up with a 2013 3500 Ram Truck Dually long bed and have been more than satisfied with it when towing my 39' 5th wheel loaded. In the beginning, the truck was a bit challenging (wide hips and large turning radius) when driving it around town, but after a slight learning curve have no issues with it that I can't tolerate. Stability, power, and comfort are some of the attributes of our setup. Cummings diesel engine gets 11-12 mpg towing at 60 mph and 17-20 mpg unloaded (all depending on driving style). So far, so good.

[ependydad]

BBBlue, I'm not getting anywhere near those kind of mileage numbers.

[TxTravelingRN]

DRW all the way. Waited 9 months to find what I wanted.
Only have had one problem...getting off the 8th floor (top floor) of a parking garage with 3/4 inch ice. Backup camera came in handy as I had to back down to a covered level. Could not turn corners when moving forward.

[davel1971]

Originally Posted by lgray

This is the first question, need a dually? Will your fifth wheel fully loaded come close to a 17,500 – 18,000 ¾ ton capacity? Is the “stability” a necessity or psychological?
Other considerations:
How much sightseeing will you do when you get to your destination? If you plan on driving your TV, then a ¾ ton has some advantages.
Chevy 1 ton circle radius nearly 56 feet v ¾ ton 51 feet. Parking…you get it.
A ¾ will do a little better on fuel and will ride and corner better. A ¾ ton with bags gives you the ability add support when needed, let the air out when not needed for better ride.
Air bags do not add payload, they do level the TV, (headlights and safeguard against bottoming out). Many 1 ton owners use them as well.
Another question is will you be requiring 4 wheel drive and/or going off road…if so, additional advantages with a ¾ ton.

how does turning radius and 4x4 come into play here? Turning radius in determined by wheel base, and all trucks come in 2 or 4 wheel drive versions.

[Mad DADDY]

Originally Posted by ependydad

BBBlue, I'm not getting anywhere near those kind of mileage numbers.

Me either. I was getting 8.9 towing the camper and 11.4 without it. I did put the edge programmer on my dodge and I now get 11.3 with the camper and 14.7 without it. My EGTs were getting in the 1700 degree range when it was stock on a long pull and now they are around 1450 on a long hard pull with the edge turner.

[lgray]

Originally Posted by davel1971

how does turning radius and 4x4 come into play here? Turning radius in determined by wheel base, and all trucks come in 2 or 4 wheel drive versions.

Typically a dually would not be an off road enthusiasts vehicle of choice.
Turning radius lends itself to maneuverability, backing, parking, etc.

[dustman_stx]

Originally Posted by lgray

This is the first question, need a dually? Will your fifth wheel fully loaded come close to a 17,500 – 18,000 ¾ ton capacity? Is the “stability” a necessity or psychological?
Other considerations:
How much sightseeing will you do when you get to your destination? If you plan on driving your TV, then a ¾ ton has some advantages.
Chevy 1 ton circle radius nearly 56 feet v ¾ ton 51 feet. Parking…you get it.
A ¾ will do a little better on fuel and will ride and corner better. A ¾ ton with bags gives you the ability add support when needed, let the air out when not needed for better ride.
Air bags do not add payload, they do level the TV, (headlights and safeguard against bottoming out). Many 1 ton owners use them as well.
Another question is will you be requiring 4 wheel drive and/or going off road…if so, additional advantages with a ¾ ton.

Ford claims you can increase towing capacity by 5,000lbs by doing a suspension upgrade on the SRW F350. I would think a good set of airbags would accomplish this. Seems like the way to go, to me. Unless you REALLY NEED a DRW.

[BigJohnD]

We've always opted for the dually. Gotta love a truck with hips. As for parking, I just make a spot, and it's usually a good long walk, which I need anyway. The #1 reason I prefer them, is stability for towing. I've towed with both and hands down the dually has a more stable platform. The #2 reason I prefer them, I can lose a tire on the rear, and minimize the chance of a possible mishap. Ever blow a rear tire while you have 2500 pounds on the hitch? It can get ugly quick. Everybody's got their preferences and reasons for their choice. I respect everybody's choice, as they know what works for them.

[davel1971]

Originally Posted by lgray

Typically a dually would not be an off road enthusiasts vehicle of choice.
Turning radius lends itself to maneuverability, backing, parking, etc.

Turning radius doesn't change by adding two more rear tires. Because of the wide stance in the front of Ford's f450 and 550, the can out turn 3/4 ton trucks

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[lgray]

Originally Posted by davel1971

Turning radius doesn't change by adding two more rear tires. Because of the wide stance in the front of Ford's f450 and 550, the can out turn 3/4 ton trucks

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Forest River Forums mobile app

As my post indicates...turning radius comparison of Chevy 3500 v 2500, not Ford. Numbers straight from their website.