SWR or DWR?

[kiltedpig]

I see a lot of large 5ths pulled by SWR. What do I gain with DWR. If SWR should I get 4x4? I also see 3/4 ton pulling but not going there.

[1retired06]

If you are going with a bigger fifthwheel, get the DWR. Better stability, pin weight and tow capacity. Check out Ford's tow capacity chart on their website. Cost differential is minimal. And go with the 4x4.

[mlh]

You are right most large 5ers are pulled with SRW trucks probably 90%. If you are pulling your camper very far or often and it's a big Montana get the DW truck 4x4 Diesel.
Lynwood

[WaltBennett]

I haven't seen many SWRs pulling large 5ers. Seen quite a few pulling under 30' ones though and anything at that length or longer they start wandering around a bit. I don't know as anyone really needs 4x4. I don't use ours save towing on gravel or sandy stuff, and driving in snow. There's lots of 'stuff' about how badly duallys handle in snow, but I haven't experienced it. Maybe I just haven't been stupid enough to find out!

[bigred715]

In the Northwest you better buy 4x4 for resale. A lot of these older 4x4 SRW are overweight on the truck. The newer SRW have better GVW and can handle some of the bigger Montanas. It seems like the trailers are getting longer and heavier. Go dually and 4x4 if thinking some of the larger 5th wheels.

[steelpony5555]

I have had both SRW and DRW and 2x2 and now 4x4.....Don't really need the 4x4 here in Texas and got a long just fine with out it. But you never know where your travels may lead. But as was said if you travel far and if you got a big rig then a dually is the way to go. It is a whole lot more stable and a more relaxing drive.

[BB_TX]

It mainly comes down to weight of the 5er. The DRW has a considerably higher payload rating over the SRW. So it is a matter of knowing the pin weight of the trailer and determining if you need to go with the dually.
But many prefer the DRW for a feeling of more stability whether the pin weight requires it or not.
Around here it is hard to find 2 wheel drive new trucks on the lot. Basic trucks, yes. But higher trim level trucks will mostly be 4x4.

[DQDick]

We got SRW because this truck is hard enough to park being extra long. 4x4 for us is essential because we take it off road (another reason we don't want it wider). You have to envision what your going to do with it and get what you need. We tow in the wind in AZ, NM, and KS and the stability is adequate for us.

[kiltedpig]

Thank you all for your informative replies.

[JandC]

X2 what Dick said. If I was not full time and did not have to use my truck as the daily driver most of the time, then I may have purchased a DRW. In my opinion, my F350 SRW is fine for pulling my Montana without being overloaded.

[HOOK]

DRW gives much more stability. Twice as much traction. About 18 inches in width. It's like insurance, you only need it when you need it. IMHO

[Hooker]

Check the pin weight then get the truck you need, not the truck you want. If you need the dually get the dually, don't get a SRW that is over weight because you might want to do something else with the truck.

I've had seven pick ups, never a 4wd...never needed one. I never travel in the snow/ice, or go off road, or go where I might get stuck.

[Sheepdog]

I went from a 2008 F450 Dually 4x4 to my current RAM 2013 3500 SRW 4x4 and was quite concerned that the SRW was not going to be as stable. I use the truck as my everyday vehicle and find the SRW to be a lot more friendly! The new RAM 3500 frame and Firestone airbags makes for a very competent tow. I recently made a 5K trip from Wa to Az and back and did not notice ANY difference in stability with the SRW; and this is over all types of terrain including mountain passes. I do have one size larger TOYO Open Country ATII tires, that at 80psi have over a 4K rating. So far I am very pleased with how my RAM 3500 SRW has handled both the everyday driving and the 5th Wheel towing.

[kiltedpig]

I will be going full-time pulling large 5er. Wife keeps pushing for 40' so since I will need a truck I am getting informed. I know to get diesel with adequate towing and pin carrying capacity but want to make sure before.

[Montana Sky]

Having towed with both a SRW and a DRW, it all comes down to what you are comfortable with. Do your homework on ratings and carrying capacity and buy the one that best fits your needs. I currently have a DRW and can tell you that they are horrible in snow/ice and mud. In my opinion, I would not have a dually without 4 wheel drive. As for stability of a SRW, in over 8 years and more than 100,000 miles towing larger trailers, I never had a stability problem with a SRW.

[davidaf]

I towed my SOB 5'er for about 6 months with a 2500 4x4 (SOB was about 3k LBS lighter that the Montana). It was just too nerve racking. Replaced it with a 2wd DRW. Much better towing experience. I don't drive in the snow or take the truck off road and have only wished for 4wd once but, somebody yanked me out so I didn't need it for very long. My DRW is my daily driver and has been since I bought it new in 05. There are places I avoid like parking garages and drive thrus but if you are willing to walk a bit farther from a parking space it works just fine.

An added benefit to the DRW came when I decided to buy a truck camper for those places that the 5'er would not work. I didn't have to go buy yet another truck to haul the camper that I wanted.

Now having said all that, if I didn't own the truck camper I'd probably sell the Dually and buy a FL60 or the equivalent. I really just want as stress free a towing experience as possible.

[bethandkevin]

I've towed our 3402RL with 2905 lbs on the pin with my 2500HD for three years now. Have made a couple very long trips with it through the U.P. of Michigan and have had zero issues with stability, confidence or comfort when towing. If I bought a new truck tomorrow it would probably be a 3500HD SRW. For me, I don't feel the need for a dually, but I can't argue the fact that it can't help but be more stable than a SRW.

[mazboy]

the question should be a 3/4 or one ton. if I had to do it again I'd get a one ton, single wheel. my truck is my only vehicle and I would never want to drive a dually around town.

[Artemus Gordon]

Dually has made me feel safer and more confident. The 4x4 option saved me several times. Most recently in an RV Park with new pads made out of gravel. After both truck and Montana sank nearly 10 inchs, 4 wheel drive was only thing that got us out!

[Bigsky3625RE]

Our SRW 3500 is very stable. We don't wander on the road. Can go down steep grades with the exhaust brake on without using the brakes.

And the Dually does not have a significant payload increase. Check the specs.

It does have a bit more payload.