SRW vs DRW

[Pressure_welder]

Good morning everyone! so i know this topic may have been beaten to death. Although i may have a slightly different situation that some.

So we have a 2018 305RL high country that we love, we also pull behind that a 20ft crestliner sportfish weighing in at around 3800lbs. From day one i have pulled our campers with a dually however recently we have just finished building a home on one of the lakes we used to frequent as campers so this has reduced our camping to our typical annual 1 month trip to our favorite lake up north, and maybe 1-2 other small trips during the summer. So our towing needs have significantly dropped. When this happened i just couldnt justify keeping our 2015 ram limited dually, as for a vast majority of the year it was just my daily driver and i am fine with driving a dually as a daily but its simply horribly overkill so i traded it in on a 2015 eco diesel which has been great and we've been just towing our rig with our welding truck for the past few years. A 2007 5.9 cummins with G56. While this truck does perform reasonably well, its certainly not a super family friendly vehicle, and frankly its an absolutely horrible truck to back up any trailer with any sort of weight on it.

With all the research ive been doing it seems to me that a 2017ish 3500 srw should handle our particular load with realtive ease with some payloads in the range of 3500-4000lbs ( funny our 07 dually payload is 4100) Having said this i have never actually pulled any of our double tow rigs with a SRW truck its always been a dually so i dont know what to expect and to be honest am a little trigger shy. But i am sort of at the point where i want a more comfortable truck for our family to goto the lake in and am thinking that a 3500 SRW would be a good comprimise as we just dont tow all that often anymore, and it would be a better daily driver than a drw. I havent actually taken our whole rig to the scale but gvwr of camper i believe is 14270lbs and i would say we arent quite there when towing as all of our holding tanks are usually empty, and then our boat which has 300LBS pin weight and comes in around 3800lbs of rolling weight. So i would say were pushing 18,000LBS max although the boat is just rolling weight and dosent add to the pin weight of the fifth wheel, i would venture to guess it actually reduces it slightly.

i guess i am wondering whom else might be pulling a similar load, and other peoples experience with a SRW truck pulling heavier campers. I likely am over thinking this as i see 3/4 tons pulling 40ft campers while there likely overloaded. When it comes to towing i have an overkill mindset unfortunately. But i am thinking a srw 3500 with airbags may? be a more then adequate setup for us. THoughts?

[BB_TX]

The boat does not add any weight on the truck as far as payload is concerned. And the engine is the same whether SRW or DRW as far as towing the total weight. If your boat trailer does not have brakes, I would add them and hook them up to increase your total braking capacity. Otherwise, I think you are fine as is.


Total length may be concern in some states. But that is true SRW or DRW.

[DadsHemi]

As long as the truck isn’t over the GVWR and max towing I don’t see why not.

[Montana Man]

Originally Posted by DadsHemi

As long as the truck isn’t over the GVWR and max towing I don’t see why not.

Ditto this. But, if you are looking at 3500/4000 lb. load it will be overweight for a srw. If considering a ram, the megacab will provide a higher gvwr but not quite enough.

[DadsHemi]

Depending on which model you get the GVWR ranges from 11,500 to 12,300, payload is in access of 4000#, +- a few hundred #s, tow capacity is 16 to 17 thousand #s. All of this is pending what model you go with in a Ram.

[DQDick]

We were quite happy with our SRW until we bought the 2017 and the pin weight overloaded the rear tires causing the switch to a dually. Your HC shouldn't cause that problem so why not.

[Pressure_welder]

Yea ive never actually put any real thought into these numbers until recently as we were always pulling with a drw. We would certainly be looking at a ram again i believe, after making the switch from GM to Ram in 2015 weve been extremely happy, the trucks ive had a quick look at 2015-2018 have had payloads ranging from 3500-4100lbs for loaded laramies or limited's, crew cab and also megas. If i took 20% of GVWR of camper id be sitting just shy of 2900LBS call it 3000lbs pin weight for easy math. What i am having "some" difficulty with is how to precieve the boat behind us.... sure thats an additional almost 4000lbs of mass behind us with its own brakes, but is that the same as hauling an 18,000lb fifth wheel if you dont factor in an 18000lb fifth wheel pin weight. Iam VERY likely over thinking this, as a 14 year old truck with 325HP and a standard transmission handles this suprisingly well. And quite honestly the payload is exceeded with the welding bed and camper hooked up anyway.

[DadsHemi]

Originally Posted by Pressure_welder

Yea ive never actually put any real thought into these numbers until recently as we were always pulling with a drw. We would certainly be looking at a ram again i believe, after making the switch from GM to Ram in 2015 weve been extremely happy, the trucks ive had a quick look at 2015-2018 have had payloads ranging from 3500-4100lbs for loaded laramies or limited's, crew cab and also megas. If i took 20% of GVWR of camper id be sitting just shy of 2900LBS call it 3000lbs pin weight for easy math. What i am having "some" difficulty with is how to precieve the boat behind us.... sure thats an additional almost 4000lbs of mass behind us with its own brakes, but is that the same as hauling an 18,000lb fifth wheel if you dont factor in an 18000lb fifth wheel pin weight. Iam VERY likely over thinking this, as a 14 year old truck with 325HP and a standard transmission handles this suprisingly well. And quite honestly the payload is exceeded with the welding bed and camper hooked up anyway.

Pulling your boat with your 5th would be considered in your tow capacity for the tow vehicle. Also don’t just go by the 20% pin weight, I would suggest you weigh the truck, then weigh the truck and 5th.

[Pressure_welder]

Wow so decided to have a look at the 2019 and up rams….they certainly increased their numbers a typical crew cab short box srw has a payload of 4420lbs and a max trailer of 25,000. Which seems to completely take out the guess work and splitting hairs i was going through with a 2018 model year. 2018 a similar truck had about 600lbs less payload and about 8250lbs less max trailer. However! Only downside is the truck market new and used is simply vomit worthy….. when i was quoted 98,000$ cdn after deals on a loaded factory ordered 18 limited dually i pretty much swore off buying new trucks. Which was too bad because i enjoyed it generally traded off every 3 yrs,. After a quick check you cant buy a used 19-20 laramie 3500 for less than 80-85 which is sickening as far as i am concerned. Guess will have to wait for the right deal to come along! Looking back sure makes you look at where you were… we paid 58,000$ for a loaded denali dually in 2012 cant even get a half ton for that now

[Montana Man]

Beware of stated payload numbers. They usually represent a best case scenario. The weight of options reduce that number. Also, the model you may want will probably be less. If considering a srw ram the payload will be around 3800 lbs. A mega cab 3500 with optional gvwr is 12300 lbs. Minus about 8500 lbs truck weight. From that payload subtract bodies, misc. junk, hitch, and lost french fries under the seats. If you are concerned about overloading a truck I would suggest further research.

[Mikelff]

Originally Posted by Pressure_welder

Wow so decided to have a look at the 2019 and up rams….they certainly increased their numbers a typical crew cab short box srw has a payload of 4420lbs and a max trailer of 25,000. Which seems to completely take out the guess work and splitting hairs i was going through with a 2018 model year. 2018 a similar truck had about 600lbs less payload and about 8250lbs less max trailer. However! Only downside is the truck market new and used is simply vomit worthy….. when i was quoted 98,000$ cdn after deals on a loaded factory ordered 18 limited dually i pretty much swore off buying new trucks. Which was too bad because i enjoyed it generally traded off every 3 yrs,. After a quick check you cant buy a used 19-20 laramie 3500 for less than 80-85 which is sickening as far as i am concerned. Guess will have to wait for the right deal to come along! Looking back sure makes you look at where you were… we paid 58,000$ for a loaded denali dually in 2012 cant even get a half ton for that now

Pressure_ welder. You need to go to the scales with your MHC fully loaded as you would regularly go on a trip. Weigh truck and trailer, then truck only. Subtract the two weights of the rear axle and you will have your real pin weight. Not your payload weight, just your rig pin weight. Adjust from there for any additional loads you put on your trailer. Take the guessing out of it and you will feel much better knowing what the “real” number is. As far as a SRW one ton i think you will be fine. As far as air bags, I find they smooth out my ride and will help level the rig if low in the rear but do nothing for weight ratings. Having qualified that, the air bags will help carry some weight, not changing any ratings, and smooth the ride. Just have to find the right pressure. Get the system with the blue tooth remote, as you can adjust pressure on the fly and fine tune for the best ride. Good luck!

[Briarglenn]

I've been pulling 3400 RL and now a 2018 3790 with a single axle 2011 6.7 F350 Crew Cab over the last 8 years. No problems with towing. Been to Fairbanks twice.

[dfb]

Dont care what the gvwr is. What counts is your loaded weights. Srw is not enough for the rawr.. you will be over. Folks do it all the time. However,you will exceed the trucks rating..

[Delaine and Lindy]

Most do not understand the Montana's as now most all brands are using the lightest material ever. To reduce the weight. In many cases the manufactures are cutting to much, which means WE who buy 5th Wheels are getting less.

The only way to get close to what weight you are carrying and towing is Cat Scale. After loading the 5th wheel and Tow vehicle.

Happy Trails.

[dfb]

All brands UNDER THOR...

[Dreamersandtravelers]

Insure the tires are also rated for the extra load. Usually the only difference between 2500/3500. We've upgraded our F250 to Cooper's Discoverer AT3 which have 125 rating (3640#).

[Salineriverman]

I have a 2020 Ram SRW crew cab 4x4 tradesman 3500 HO diesel
And tow a 305 HC with no issues. I have not double towed but my buddy does. One thing to check out are your state laws on total length allowed. This will possibly get you before the weight. Another thing to dig into are the payloads for the truck you are looking at. The tradesmen model rams have higher payloads than the loaded models. Also mega cabs have lower payloads. I have the 5th wheel package and surround camera option and love both of these options. Just do your research - I do know with a SRW I wouldn’t want to tow an 18000 lb. trailer. If towing one that heavy I’d strongly consider a 8’ bed dually.
Just my two cents worth.

[Montana Man]

Originally Posted by Salineriverman

I have a 2020 Ram SRW crew cab 4x4 tradesman 3500 HO diesel
And tow a 305 HC with no issues. I have not double towed but my buddy does. One thing to check out are your state laws on total length allowed. This will possibly get you before the weight. Another thing to dig into are the payloads for the truck you are looking at. The tradesmen model rams have higher payloads than the loaded models. Also mega cabs have lower payloads. I have the 5th wheel package and surround camera option and love both of these options. Just do your research - I do know with a SRW I wouldn’t want to tow an 18000 lb. trailer. If towing one that heavy I’d strongly consider a 8’ bed dually.
Just my two cents worth.

Actually the mega cabs have a higher gvwr than the crew cabs.

[Salineriverman]

I stand corrected about the mega cab ratings.
One of the charts I looked at before purchasing my 2020 Ram did show a Tradesman crew cab 4x4 having a bigger payload than the mega cab but after seeing your post I googled the latest towing charts and for 2020 ram 3500 with 3.73 gears and 6.7 HO engine and aisin transmission
The tradesman has a GVWR of 11,800
A payload of 4,020
A GCWR of 32,580
Max trailer of 23,660

The mega cab with same engine and Transmission has a
GVWR of 12,300
Payload of 4,150
A GCWR of 32,710
A max trailer of 24,090

If you’re pulling a gooseneck or fifth wheel the mistake most folks make is they are over their payload ratings. Hence a lot of 3/4 ton guys are over on payload but are not over on total weight.

[Montana Man]

I would prefer a crew cab over the mega mostly for the better turning radius. In my case I needed all the payload I can get. After subtracting from the gvwr the weight of bodies, fuel, hitch, junk, and french fries under the seats we had 3460 lbs. left for tongue weight. We're barely good on that but about 70 lbs. over on rear axle weight. Perhaps some fresh water in the tank would compensate but its splitting hairs at that point.