3/4 ton versus 1 ton

[jlb27537]

Hi Jay,, I have never towed with a SRW. When we bought our first 5th in '93, the sales man took us over to a SRW truck of a customer at the RV Dealership. He stood at the rear axle and pushed sideways on the bed rail. It moved side to side. He then took us to another customers truck, a DRW. Pushed on the bed and it was like pushing on the side of a building.

Until you pull with a DRW you will never know the stability you do not have.

Jim

[farmall130]

quote:Originally posted by jlb27537

Hi Jay,, I have never towed with a SRW. When we bought our first 5th in '93, the sales man took us over to a SRW truck of a customer at the RV Dealership. He stood at the rear axle and pushed sideways on the bed rail. It moved side to side. He then took us to another customers truck, a DRW. Pushed on the bed and it was like pushing on the side of a building.

Until you pull with a DRW you will never know the stability you do not have.

Jim

+1

[jhudson]

quote:Originally posted by jlb27537

Hi Jay,, I have never towed with a SRW. When we bought our first 5th in '93, the sales man took us over to a SRW truck of a customer at the RV Dealership. He stood at the rear axle and pushed sideways on the bed rail. It moved side to side. He then took us to another customers truck, a DRW. Pushed on the bed and it was like pushing on the side of a building.

Until you pull with a DRW you will never know the stability you do not have.

Jim

Hi Jim,

I would agree with you with the older trucks. My 99 2500 Dodge with the diesel did exactly like you said. When I push on my 2012 3500 SRW today, it doesn't move like my 99 did. It is very solid. I have the same axle, springs, and brakes just like the 2012 3500 DRW. The only thing I do not have is the extra tire capacities that the 3500 DRW have.

Now what is really neat with the 3500 SRW is some electronic stuff that is not available with the DRW. With the GM models it is the StabiliTrak and trailer sway control. Apparently this system sensing a loss of lateral traction of the trailer and will adjust the engine output and brakes of the trailer accordingly. Never experienced it yet as my trailer present or past have ever swayed. Maybe it is more apparent with convention trailers... Also which I have experienced, is the Hill Start Assist which holds the truck still for a bit after the brake is released to give you time to move your foot to the go peddle.

I would suspect that the extra two wheels would add some stability, but I believe the main purpose of the extra wheels are for the extra load carrying that the DRW has to offer. Currently I am within my weights and I really enjoy my truck. I will continue to CAT scale as my DW has many more places to put stuff compared to our old SOB, and if the time comes where I exceed my current SRW it will be time for a diet or a new DRW.

Jay

[jlb27537]

quote:Originally posted by dsprik

OK, this for the weight police. Confirm this...

http://www.gmc.com/sierra-3500hd-pic...abilities.html

Curb weight = Weight of the truck (6,612).
I do not lie. This is GMC's website.

Dave, I am confused, are you saying you are pulling with a 6.0L gas engine? In your sig I see D/A and read that as Duramax/Allison?

I did not know know GM, Ford or Ram offered a gas engine in a 350/3500 series truck. After looking I see all offer a gas 350/3500 vehicle. My bad.

Jim

[MIMF]

In 2005 when I bought my truck, I was looking at and about ready to buy a 3/4 ton Chevy with the Duramax/Alison and 3:73 rear end. They had the 1 ton SRW setting next to it and there was only $100.00 difference in the price. However, the 1 ton had a much nicer interior than the 3/4 ton. The drive train was exactly the same in both vehicles. The color of the one ton was not really what I wanted but, I did like the interior. So, asked the sales rep what he would sell the 1 ton to me for since we had already worked up a deal on the 3/4 ton. After thinking and working on his computer a couple minutes, he said he'd sell me the 1 ton for the same price he quoted earlier on the 3/4 ton for today only! I told him to get the paperwork written as fast he could so, I could sign it and get the heck outta' there before he changed his mind!! I've had the 1 /ton srw ever since it is more truck than I normally need. I can go in all the same places a 3/4 ton will and more places than a dually won't. A 1 ton srw will be with me for a long long time.

[dsprik]

In the link, you have to click on the engine type in th e drop down box. The 6.6 Duramax 4x4 is what I have. That would be after you select the Crew Cab Standard Box.

[dsprik]

Dodge is really upping their game in the GVWRs. GM has always lagged behind Dodge and Ford for some reason... Unfortunately, I come from a GM family and I have a GM discount which I can't turn down.

[mhs4771]

Dale, had a similar experience in Dec 2004. Was looking to upgrade from a '95 1500 to a 2500 with all the options to tow a 5th wheel. Once we got the numbers worked up the Salesman suggested that they had a new 3500 Dually with all the options I wanted and offered it to me for almost a grand less than ordering the 2500. Took it for a ride and was sold. Now granted it was gross over kill as we had a '91 Prowler 24M TT at the time.

[dsprik]

Nothing wrong with a little overkill as long as it works for all of your needs. The Tampa show usually(?) has a few Volvos and/or Freightliners, etc designed specifically for 5th wheel towing. We looked at some a couple years ago at the show. Wish we could have test driven them. Beautiful on the inside. Around $100K-$110K IIRC...

[Phil P]

quote:Originally posted by dsprik

Dodge is really upping their game in the GVWRs. GM has always lagged behind Dodge and Ford for some reason... Unfortunately, I come from a GM family and I have a GM discount which I can't turn down.

Hi

Check the 2009 specifications. We purchased our 2009, 4door, long bed, 4X2, DRW, Duramax because it had the highest Goss Combination weight rating.

Phil P

[dsprik]

I believe you are right , Phil. The 4x2 in every configuration and engine has a higher rating. I think that is because the 4x4 adds weight with that drive train which takes away from the max cargo weight that the truck can haul (or pin weight).

[Hooker]

quote:Originally posted by dsprik

...Dodge is really upping their game in the GVWRs. GM has always lagged behind Dodge and Ford for some reason...

As noted, for years GM's GVWR was lower than Ford's (don't know about Dodge), however, their trucks were so much lighter the actual capacity was more. Don't know about the newer models.

[richfaa]

Saw a new Ford 3/4 ton pulling one of the larger Montana's today on Rt 27 here in Florida. It was down pretty good in the rear and there was a lot of space between the front tire and the wheel well. Butit was pulling it fine....

[farmall130]

[quote]Originally posted by richfaa

Saw a new Ford 3/4 ton pulling one of the larger Montana's today on Rt 27 here in Florida. It was down pretty good in the rear and there was a lot of space between the front tire and the wheel well. Butit was pulling it fine....
[/quote
Hope he can control it if/when he needs to!

[richfaa]

[quote]quote:Originally posted by farmall130

Originally posted by richfaa

Saw a new Ford 3/4 ton pulling one of the larger Montana's today on Rt 27 here in Florida. It was down pretty good in the rear and there was a lot of space between the front tire and the wheel well. Butit was pulling it fine....
[/quote
Hope he can control it if/when he needs to!

S.D plate so his luck was holding. It was scary.

[mhs4771]

It's really scary some of the things you see. We spent a few days in the Panhandle in Oct and parked across from us was a pretty good sized Triple Axle TH'er being pulled by a newer GMC 1500. Can you say "Over Loaded".

[1retired06]

Majority of RVs with SD plates are fulltimers who only go back to SD once every five years for driver license renewal.