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Old 10-09-2019, 06:24 PM   #1
ebds2019
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Question about SRW vs DRW

Hi folks. I have a 2019 Chevy Silverado turbo diesel dually. Only has 6000 miles on it. I admit I like how it tows my Montana 3810MS 5th wheel.

However, I hate owning a dually. At the time I was looking for something to pull the RV, it seemed that without getting a dually, I could not get a truck with enough payload rating to be safe. Maybe I could and didn't research correctly but that's what I thought.

Now I am looking around and it seems there are really nice SRW 3500 trucks that have more than enough payload capacity. The hitch weight (dry) is 2700 lbs so I am estimating that I want an absolute minimum payload capacity of 4000 pounds (and maybe even more).

It seems that there are now SRW trucks that have those kind of payloads.

Soooooo.............

1. What can you tell me about high payload rating 3500 trucks with SRW wheels?

2. What might I be giving up to trade in the DRW truck for a diesel SRW truck?

Plus any other info you'd like to provide me.

I am NOT looking for this to become a thread about which truck is best. I am looking for a discussion of SRW vs DRW pros and cons, and feasibility of towing 13k to 15k lb 5th wheel with an SRW truck.

Thanks,
Rob
 
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Old 10-09-2019, 06:40 PM   #2
Hunts900
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I just traded in a 2016 Chevy dually on a 2019 Chevy 3500 SRW. I loved the way the dually towed my rig, but both my wife and I got tired of maneuvering the dually. I have 3000 miles on the new truck, about 2000 of which have been towing, including mountains in Oregon, Nevada, and California. To be honest, I can’t tell one iota of difference in how the truck tows, including in a windy environment. I am happy I made the move.
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Old 10-09-2019, 06:48 PM   #3
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Truck payload ratings have gone up significantly over the last few years and SRWs can carry the pin weight of a 5er they could not back then.

I drove a DRW several days when looking to buy. It would be a daily driver far more than towing. Like you I did not like the inconveniences of it. Fortunately an SRW would handle my shorter Monte’s weight even back then. Many say the DRW is far more stable than an SRW. Stability with my SRW has never been an issue in high cross winds or trucks passing, or curvy mountain passes. Even when large MHs in front of me were having trouble staying in their lanes. I would not have a DRW unless we went to a heavier trailer that required it due to pin weight.
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Old 10-09-2019, 07:07 PM   #4
Mikendebbie
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SRW vs DRW

I pulled my 3921 for the first year with 2014 Chevy 3500 SRW long bed. I never had any issues stopping and it always had plenty of juice pulling. The exhaust brake was awesome. That said - the seed of doubt was planted here on the forum reading opinions and stories of SRW vs DRW. The 2014 had a DEF heater problem show up at just over 100k miles and barely out of warranty. DW and I decided a DRW would serve us better in the long run and we traded the 2014 in on the 2019.

The dually tows and rides like a dream. Best I have ever had. I can feel the difference in stability and control. We could have made the 2014 work for us - but would always wonder about the green grass on the other side.
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Old 10-09-2019, 07:27 PM   #5
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I gotta admit this topic is like night of the living dead. No matter what it just wont die.
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Old 10-09-2019, 07:32 PM   #6
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My old truck said on the door it could nandle the weight of our new rig. When we weighed it we discovered that while the truck could handle the pin weight you couldn't buy tires that could in a SRW configuration. Previous to that we had a bulge in the sidewall and a broken bead two years apart, but both on a rear wheel. Now we know why.
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Old 10-09-2019, 08:29 PM   #7
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The 2020 Chevy and Ford single wheel drive trucks have tow ratings far in excess of what previous models had. I'd suggest you look at their ratings.
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Old 10-09-2019, 08:50 PM   #8
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Old 10-09-2019, 09:28 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DQDick View Post
My old truck said on the door it could nandle the weight of our new rig. When we weighed it we discovered that while the truck could handle the pin weight you couldn't buy tires that could in a SRW configuration. Previous to that we had a bulge in the sidewall and a broken bead two years apart, but both on a rear wheel. Now we know why.
Dick, can you please explain how you were able to buy a truck that could not legally handle it's advertised weight. It had to come with tires that were rated for it's placated weight rating. Are you saying that no manufactors made tires to the OEM specs?
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Old 10-10-2019, 06:17 AM   #10
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The OPs advertised pin weigh is 2745 pounds. 20 inch tires are rated for 7500 pounds that leaves 4755 pounds for the truck and any load you may have. Sounds like plenty.
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Old 10-10-2019, 07:59 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PNW Fireguy View Post
I gotta admit this topic is like night of the living dead. No matter what it just wont die.
We were overdue for another DRW/SRW debate. Been a few weeks. And after all, the OP is a fairly new member.
Ever watch the movie Groundhog Day?
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Old 10-10-2019, 08:45 AM   #12
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Anyone that doesn't look at using the gross weight of their trailer and using 25% for pin weight is not being totally realistic with themselves unless they are weekend campers and know they will never fulltime or trade in the rig for the "bigger, better, newest marketed fifth wheel OR they have a butt load of money so these sorts of decisions don't matter. Using a manufacturer's stated empty pin weight is not a wise thing to ever do. No slight against the op on these comments.
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Old 10-10-2019, 08:46 AM   #13
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I bought a 2018 DRW 3500 looks like I could now go with a SRW but it's not a daily driver and it pulls so well, besides I like pulling into a Starbucks next to a Smart Car or a Prius and seeing the reactions.

On Chevy's web site.

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Old 10-10-2019, 09:04 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Theunz View Post
Dick, can you please explain how you were able to buy a truck that could not legally handle it's advertised weight. It had to come with tires that were rated for it's placated weight rating. Are you saying that no manufactors made tires to the OEM specs?
That is correct at the places I tried, (even 4 ply sidewall LT tires were rated the same as 2 ply for weight), although my truck was special ordered from the factory.
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Old 10-11-2019, 08:49 AM   #15
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Like several folks have said, this subject never dies.

Regardless of truck brand or DRW or SRW, you CANNOT use only the rated payload in your decision making.

First off, that payload rating is based on the trucks curb weight, not real world weight. In the real world, you will have fuel, passengers, hitch, cargo, etc which will all subtract from your payload rating. Anything that did not come factory on the truck is payload.

Second, you have GVWR. That is the number the truck can not exceed (although people do). That is the ACTUAL weight of the truck AND all cargo, including proposed pin weight.

Third, you can never use a dry hitch weight in your calculations unless all you do is transport empty RVs to dealerships. For truck shopping purposes, I recommend using 25% of the RVs GVWR as your pin weight when calculating payload of a truck. That leaves you some "safety" room.

My truck and RV example: (whether or not I have dually does not factor in)
Truck GVWR - 14,000lbs
Truck Payload - 6,460lbs
Actual truck weight - 9,300lbs (me, wife, fuel, hitch, tool box, spray in bed liner, bed cover, + misc extra crap I carry)
Subtract the truck weight from the GVWR and that leaves 4,700lbs remaining payload capacity. Not the advertise 6,400lbs. That is MY real world payload rating.

RV GVWR - 16,960lbs
Max pin weight - 4,240lbs ( 25% of 16,960)

4,240lbs pin weight is less than my 4,700lbs remaining available payload capacity. The numbers say I'm good. But wait. You've also got axle rating.
My rear axle rating is 9,650lbs. I'm still good.

If at all possible, I recommend that during your test drive you get the truck weighed. Add to that the weight of a full tank of fuel. (approx. 7lbs per gallon for diesel and approx. 6lbs per gallon for gasoline) Also add 100lbs for your hitch. (actual weight will be +/- depending on what hitch you have) Subtract all that from the trucks advertised GVWR. You know have a better idea of the real payload capacity.

Follow the REAL numbers.

This subject will never die because somebody new will ask this same question again.
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Old 10-11-2019, 10:27 AM   #16
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Can o worm's anyone?
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Old 10-11-2019, 12:01 PM   #17
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IT is not black magic. The specs are there all one needs to do is understand them and do the numbers.
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Old 10-11-2019, 01:11 PM   #18
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Personally, i do not like duallys.



With that said, any one ton will work for you. It is that simple.
The exception to me would be if you are going to try to pull a desinger suites or new horzion. Otherwise, a SRW one ton is great.
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Old 10-11-2019, 02:54 PM   #19
BiggarView
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SRW GMC 3500 dmax payload 4078 lbs.
----------------------------------------
passenger 150
fuel 175
hitch 200 (varies with mfr)
gear in truck 100
gear in truck bed 300
pin weight base empty trailer 2800
trailer cargo 25% of CCC on pin 750 approx
-----------------------------------------------------
total actual payload 4475 lbs

bottom line you exceed SRW rating when towing a loaded out 3810 Montana. my two cents. people do it all the time... your call.
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Old 10-11-2019, 05:36 PM   #20
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We really do wear this subject out!


I will always err on the side of safety and NO ONE on here should argue that with that!!


Having owned and towed with both SRW and DRW I still say that the DRW is a superior tow platform. Granted it may be a little inconvenient to park at the beauty parlor but what we should be talking about is its capability as a TOW vehicle. You can get the wheels turning with a 1/2 ton if you are an idiot but I'm going to recommend that you always buy at least the next size larger truck than the ratings say you have to have. Particularly if your bumping right up against the top of the recommended ratings.


I'll also bring up the point that NOBODY buys a DRW because they like fat rear ends or extra tires. But there are thousands on the road and they make new ones every day. For every one person that says they are happy with downgrading from a dually to an SRW there are 10 that say the opposite. I am certainly in the group that says a dually is a superior TOW vehicle PERIOD! But then I am a rough and tough old country boy working in the oilfields. Driving a heavier truck doesn't phase me a bit and to be honest the new duallies ride better than 1/2 tons did 20 years ago.


Buy the dually and be done with it. You will not regret it and will not have to worry about if you have enough truck you will know you do! After all we aren't towing jet skis around with these things!!
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