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Old 01-26-2013, 03:42 AM   #1
jlb27537
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3400RL Towing questions

Hello Group,

I'm new here, but not to RV'ing. I presently have a pusher M/H and am considering going back to a 5th. Wife likes the 3400RL floorplan.

My previous 5th was a Newmar that weighed 16,500lbs+/- and a 2001 F350 PS, DRW/4.10. My total combined actual was 25,500lbs and the truck handled it nicely, after chipping, exhaust, built tranny, etc.

The 3400RL has a GVWR of 15,640, so it is going to weigh close to that. The pin would be 3,100+? Right? The one I am considering has 2 A/C, W/D so the pin would be a bit heavier.

Question is with todays newer trucks, can you safely haul that much pin weight on a SRW truck? OR just buy a DRW and not worry about it.

Thanks Jim
 
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Old 01-26-2013, 04:01 AM   #2
DQDick
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If I had it to do over again I'd get the DRW. Like you we pull out here in the plains and the extra stability in the wind would be worth it whether the truck is rated for the weight or not.
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Old 01-26-2013, 04:07 AM   #3
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How can you go wrong with "Just buy the DRW and not worry about it" ?? Enough said.
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Old 01-26-2013, 04:31 AM   #4
jlb27537
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Paddler

How can you go wrong with "Just buy the DRW and not worry about it" ?? Enough said.
Thanks, Steve, do you have real world weights on your 3400RL?

Jim
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Old 01-26-2013, 05:20 AM   #5
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Steve, I guess I'll have to disagree with your comment. Not saying it is wrong but pretty simplistic reply to a complex issue. Might be right for your situation but the OP must consider all the pro's and con's, and his specific use for the vehicle. I don't know all the cons as I have never owned a dually. I have read many posters on this forum stating many issues like ease of parking, keeping inside tires inflated, tire rotation, expense of six versus 4 tires, can't go through carwashes or some ATM lanes, just to name a few. Hopefully the OP can make an informed decision after processing all the pro's and con's. Jim
Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Paddler

How can you go wrong with "Just buy the DRW and not worry about it" ?? Enough said.
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Old 01-26-2013, 05:35 AM   #6
Carl n Susan
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Most current SRW trucks have the capacity to haul a 15,500 lb. Montana (the highest GVWR rating of the brand). There are lots of us doing it. A dually will give you more carry capacity but the SRW is fully capable.
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Old 01-26-2013, 05:41 AM   #7
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We have pulled our 3400 all over the west and western Canada with a SRW 2500 (no modifications other than killerbee's turbo inlet). We have five friends with similiar 2500s and 3400s that have done the same trips. Also encountered some strong winds in West Texas. I have not noticed any adverse effect on the rig because of wind (gusts up to 40 mph). Now we did learn to not open both truck doors at the same time. That will clean your truck out in a hurry! If the wind gets stronger, will pull over.
You have to make your own decision as your experience may vary!
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Old 01-26-2013, 05:52 AM   #8
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SRW or DRW. Total capacity gained is around 500lb. I've never owned a DRW, I have driven a few. IMHO I will stay with the SRW for many reasons as stated above. We have pulled our new 3400RL over 15,000 mi since last Feb. in many windy situations and have not had any problems. If I was to give up my 4wd and be on the road every day I might consider the cost of 2 extra tires. I have pulled many horse trailer, stock trailer (gooseneck) and fifthwheels TV miles over the years. Presently pulling with 2010 F350 4WD crew cab. Just my opinion.
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Old 01-26-2013, 06:08 AM   #9
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On a 2013 CC 3500 Chevy there is 1500 lbs difference from a single wheel to a dual wheel. Most 2500 chevys have a 9200 GVW up until 2011 then it goes to 10,000.
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Old 01-26-2013, 06:14 AM   #10
jlb27537
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Gentlemen, Thanks for the replies, but the question was not if a SRW could tow it, my question was about the pin weight.

Have any of you gentlemen actually weighed your SRW truck and know the actual weights of the truck, pin and axles loaded for travel, not the shipping weight and such.

The replies are about towing, yes the SRW/DRW are basicly the same, but, that is NOT the question. A SRW will not carry the weight of a DRW.

Respectively
Jim
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Old 01-26-2013, 08:03 AM   #11
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Jim, I have an SOB that I traded my 3400RL in for and the GVWR of my new rig is 16,500lbs. I am single and with my coach loaded for full time living, my kingpin weighs in approx at 3400+/- lbs which is in the range with what some owners of current 3400RL's are experiencing. I'll admit I have been towing my 3400RL, horse trailers, and stock trailers with SRW trucks dating before I joined the MOC in 2004. I have been a supporter of the SRW does fine - no need for a dually up until November of 2012. That being said, in December I traded my 2011 Ram 3500HD SRW in for a 2012 3500HD DRW due to the weight of my current coach. My SRW with the coach hooked, full of fuel, and myself, was flat out on the overloads on the rear end. I noticed that the steering wheel felt "light" due to how low the rear end sagged while hooked. Did the truck do the job, yes. Did I feel that I was an extreme hazard on the road, no. However, when I looked at the numbers and realized that my current coach is not going to be my last coach, as well as, looking at just how far my coach was pushing the SRW truck, I pulled the trigger and upgraded the truck to be well within the ratings of the truck. If you are not a full timer and going to be on the road all the time, I would say the SRW 1 ton will do the job. If you are going to be on the road often and suspect you are going to be near the GVWR of the coach, I'd suggest going with the dually. I don't foresee that fifth wheels are going to get any lighter as time goes forward - especially with 1 ton dually trucks now claiming 30,000 lbs of towing capacity. At the end of the day the decision is yours, do your research and pick the truck that you are most comfortable with. I admit the dually is not as easy to park in tight lots, but even with my SRW I always parked as far out as possible and walked in. I hate door dents and scratches on my trucks due to the ignorance or lack of concern for my property by someone else. The biggest down fall I have noted is not being able to run my dually to an automatic car wash. Each truck requires compromise - it is up to each owner to select which compromises they are willing or not willing to accept.
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Old 01-26-2013, 08:35 AM   #12
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Pin weight is only one factor. I have a 2012 GMC Dually and can carry 4900 lbs. if you add all the realistic loads (pin weight 3400 lbs, hitch weight 150 lbs, cargo in truck 400 lbs, 3 or 4 extra people 600 - 800 lbs and a full tank of fuel) you can easily exceed the capacity of a 1 ton SRW and approach the capacity of a DRW. You're the one that has to sleep with the decision. The numbers don't lie but everyone has their own opinion.
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Old 01-26-2013, 12:26 PM   #13
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Here is the Real deal Me and Iripguy HAVE a 3402rl WHICH IS THE BIG BROTHER TO THE 3400RL JUST A "LITTLE" HEAVIER and longer he JUST went to the scales and here you go:...So Jimmy, , I just brought my unit home from the weigh scales. The truck net weight was 11,683 lbs the pin weight was 2799 lbs and the trailer axles were 12,456 combine that with my pin weight and I am at 15,256 all loaded and ready to go. Total weight of the Truck and Trailer was 24,140 lbs.(SOOOO>> yeah 1 ton newer SRW YOU BET!! I have had both SRW and my current 1 ton DRW and I Honestly can not tell the difference other than a "little" Better ride, One thing I do HATE is that I cannot take it through a car wash like was mentioned before
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Old 01-26-2013, 01:11 PM   #14
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If you use the numbers the truck will select itself. It is over the GVW of my GMC dually and over the combined weight. I would not pull it with a SRW.
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Old 01-26-2013, 01:32 PM   #15
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REALLY?? Jwedell you are LOADED for bear with that Combo you have AND a 20K hitch you are ready for Mobile suite category, a 3400rl is a walk in the park even for my 2003 3500 DRW Duramax also when I had my f350 SRW it was no problem
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Old 01-26-2013, 02:12 PM   #16
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I have a 3400RL and pull it with an '08 GMC 3500 DRW. I think with something this big, you'll want the extra stability of the DRW.
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Old 01-26-2013, 02:17 PM   #17
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NAHHHH....take it from somebody that has towed that model FULLTIME with both SRW and DRW, like i said my old f350 SRW did great I just bought the DRW because I got a great deal on it,I suppose if I ever get into 50+ MPH winds or something it would help but if the winds get that bad when I'm towing I would pull over to the next rest area anyway
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Old 01-26-2013, 02:28 PM   #18
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Sorry bigskyjimmy, i thought the net weight was without the pin weight. If the 11,683 lbs was the gross weight then yes it's no problem for the truck, i'd probably just be touching the helper springs.
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Old 01-26-2013, 02:40 PM   #19
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Thats cool my man,I get confused on this weight stuff myself, it was cool that one of our members (IRIPGUY) just went to the scales with that same combo or else I would not know for sure myself,Now what really scares me is my Neighbor tows his 2012 3400RL with a Early 2000 2WD SRW F250 short bed YIKES!
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Old 01-26-2013, 04:35 PM   #20
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OK, just for a little clarification, now this only pertains to 2011 Duramax GM Extended Cab Long Box Trucks
2500HD 2wd GVWR 10,000 Cargo 3073
2500HD 4x4 GVWR 9,500 Cargo 3130
3500HD 2wd SRW GVWR 10,700 Cargo 4397
3500HD 4x4 SRW GVWR 11,000 Cargo 4420
3500HD 2wd DRW GVWR 13,000 Cargo 6332
3500HD 4x4 DRW GVWR 13,000 Cargo 6055
So a 3500 SRW has approx 1000 Lbs more cargo cap than a 2500 and the 3500 DRW has approx double the cargo cap. Both slightly more than a few hundred pounds as was suggested earlier.
And just be cause someone has the same rig and has weights of xxxx Lbs, doesn't mean that's what yours will weight, there are a lot of factors involved in exactly what you carry and how and where is loaded could make quite a few hundred pounds difference in pin weight. We're not full timers, but we live in our rig approx 9 months of the year, so we're loaded and rig weighs in at 17K with a 4K pin weight which puts us right at the top limit of the TV GVWR of 13K, but well below the GCWR of 29,200.
We each have to make our own decision on what we tow and what we tow it with and live with that decision. I know I would not try a tow our SOB with a 2500, but I know there are folks doing it. A 3402 is very close to our SOB, just a little lighter, but only by a few hundred pounds, so as I said, you have to make the decision for your self.
OK, time for me to get off the Soap Box.
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