About those DRW vs. SRW arguments

[CarWin]

Originally Posted by mlh

There has been a lot of discussion here about blowouts. I’m wondering how much chance there is of actually having one pulling a camper. I’ve pulled campers for over 50,000 miles with out a blowout or even a flat. So I’m wondering how many miles our members without and with having a blowout. So if you don’t mind post how many miles you have pulled a camper and if you had a blowout or a flat.
Lynwood

I have been driving semi for over 30 yrs and have only had 2 blowouts commercially. PROPER inflation and inspection and alignments are bigger factor in safety and good tire wear patterns and life cycle of the tires.

I have NEVER had a blowout in any camper Ive owned, Avg. of 7500 miles a year towing camper. (5 in the last 20 years).

[richfaa]

Blowout while on the truck or camper while towing no. The TMPS has alerted us 3 times since 2006 on PSI loss and we were able to get off the road before any damage.

[mlh]

Thanks guys please let us know how many miles you have pulled.
Lynwood

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by mlh

There has been a lot of discussion here about blowouts. I’m wondering how much chance there is of actually having one pulling a camper. I’ve pulled campers for over 50,000 miles with out a blowout or even a flat. So I’m wondering how many miles our members without and with having a blowout. So if you don’t mind post how many miles you have pulled a camper and if you had a blowout or a flat.
Lynwood

Don't let the paranoia get to you. I drive over 35,000 miles annually and at least 10,000 pulling a 5er. I've been driving since 1962 ~~ yes I'm old~~ only 1 blow out about 20 years ago on an almost new GY LT. Never a blowout or flat on any camper that I have pulled since the '70s (told you I was old). I caught one and TST 507 caught one losing air, both while parked. If you need the payload you need a DRW. If you do not need it don't fall for the hype.

[mtlakejim]

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

Don't let the paranoia get to you. I drive over 35,000 miles annually and at least 10,000 pulling a 5er. I've been driving since 1962 ~~ yes I'm old~~ only 1 blow out about 20 years ago on an almost new GY LT. Never a blowout or flat on any camper that I have pulled since the '70s (told you I was old). I caught one and TST 507 caught one losing air, both while parked. If you need the payload you need a DRW. If you do not need it don't fall for the hype.

The blowout thing is only ONE thing in favor of duallies. There are other advantages. It isn’t hype or there wouldn’t be so many on the road!

[richfaa]

We have pulled over 100K miles since 2006 in two Montana's.No blowouts as the TST alerted us .One on the truck and two on the Montana. We never had a tire problem on the 4 RV's we had before the Montana's but we did not travel as much.

[Tomzspot]

With a SRW blown you wouldn't have had the opportunity to pull over. You'd be picking up the pieces of your camper. Just saying.

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by mtlakejim

The blowout thing is only ONE thing in favor of duallies. There are other advantages. It isn’t hype or there wouldn’t be so many on the road!

"So Many"? Check the number on the big 3 sales lots, ant parking lot or even CG. Not that many. There is a need! The reason I would not buy a Vanleigh Beacon is the 14,000+ dry weight requires a dually. If you fear a blowout you and the truck cannot handle you should not pull anything as paranoia is not a good thing to live with. I've had both and know the difference. Few people have a NEED, those that do should certainly have one. Those that are paranoid should have one too.

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by Tomzspot

With a SRW blown you wouldn't have had the opportunity to pull over. You'd be picking up the pieces of your camper. Just saying.

There is that paranoia ~ just saying.

[scottz]

Originally Posted by Tomzspot

With a SRW blown you wouldn't have had the opportunity to pull over. You'd be picking up the pieces of your camper. Just saying.

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

There is that paranoia ~ just saying.

Didn't know I was living so close to the edge!

[Dean A Van Peursem]

Own a SWR Tow vehicle that now has 191,000 miles on it. Of that probably less than 40,000 miles is towing a 38 foot Montana 3400RL. Therefore most of the miles ~80% are when running empty. IMHO I would much rather drive and park a SRW vehicle when empty and especially when driving empty on snow or ice. The SWR vehicle handled the 3400RL quite well Thank You. Have never had a flat on the truck in 191,000 miles but have had a few on the 5th wheel due to Chinese made ST Tires. So if we are going to worry about vehicle safety I think we need to address where most of the tire failures occur.

[Texan]

Anything that hasn't been said yet?

[powerhaulic]

I hate having popcorn stuck in my teeth
But I love my SRW truck

[Whitewolf]

Texan - I laughed out loud when I read your post.

Powerhaulic - I agree 100% on both statements.

[mtlakejim]

Originally Posted by Dean A Van Peursem

Own a SWR Tow vehicle that now has 191,000 miles on it. Of that probably less than 40,000 miles is towing a 38 foot Montana 3400RL. Therefore most of the miles ~80% are when running empty. IMHO I would much rather drive and park a SRW vehicle when empty and especially when driving empty on snow or ice. The SWR vehicle handled the 3400RL quite well Thank You. Have never had a flat on the truck in 191,000 miles but have had a few on the 5th wheel due to Chinese made ST Tires. So if we are going to worry about vehicle safety I think we need to address where most of the tire failures occur.

Actually we only use the dually for towing. We have another vehicle for every day use. Sort of like I don’t take my bass boat to the white water river or my kayak 100 miles offshore in the gulf! When we retire and go for extended vacations I suspect we may well take two vehicles so we can tow the bass or center console with us which are too big for the garage. Second vehicle will be an SRW 1/2 ton (I’m a truck guy). Having said that the main reason we don’t use the dually for every day driving is not rough ride or difficult parking. It is simply because it costs more and we don’t want to put unnecessary miles on it period!

If someone doesn’t have a second vehicle I do understand why they might consider an SRW and I’m not advising them. My recommendations are targeted at folks that are not experienced and are asking for advice and is based primarily on my experience with both SRW and DRW plus the very typical tendency of RV owners to go larger on their next purchase. I was certainly typical in that I bought a SRW which was enough for my previous camper without considering what I might get next and regretted doing so when in less than a year I was looking at RVs that exceeded its payload.

But for SRW advocates to come on here and suggest there are not any advantages to a DRW is doing those asking for advice a disservice! What we should be doing is pointing out the honest pros and cons of each so that people can make informed decisions.

[Arizonacouple]

Why is this topic an issue? It's personal preference all the way. And if a front tire blows we're ALL in the same boat!

[joegpetro]

A car isn't towing a 5TH Wheel.

[mtlakejim]

Originally Posted by Arizonacouple

Why is this topic an issue? It's personal preference all the way. And if a front tire blows we're ALL in the same boat!

Because someone asked for advice and they deserve an honest debate/information.

And your certainly correct on the front tire blowouts!! I had that happen on I-20 near Shreveport,La with 35 drums of hazardous chemical on my bobtail cabover. I still shudder when I think about it!!

[scottz]

Jim, why not tell us how you really feel about the (non) issue?

Sorry, I swore I wouldn't get involved with this. Please pass the popcorn.

[jcurryii]

We had an accident where a Tahoe crossed the median and crossed in front of us, clipped about 18" of his rear fender taking out our right front tire. Doing 65 on I65 never lost control, though I admit it was a handful. Ram 2500/Monty 3455SA. I think disk brakes on RV would have probably prevented accident. Will be adding disk brakes as my next upgrade.