To Dually or not

[mazboy]

SRW!

[davidaf]

It's more than obvious via a scale reading if one "needs" a DRW (or different config of SRW like 2wd/std cab w higher payload). What's funny is how subjective the DRW/SRW comparison is other than the obvious payload comparison. I noticed a huge difference when I switched to DRW, again highly subjective and possibly totally psychological. I also have no issues with a DRW being my daily driver. In fact my wife has a nice German sedan and I'll usually reach for my Dually keys before hers if I'm going to run around and I'm not in the boonies I fight traffic, lights, malls etc. I do get hung up in some ruts with the 19.5 commercial tires but I adjusted and hardly notice anymore.

[Artemus Gordon]

I have four choices of what to drive each day. I normally choose the Dually. I find it easy to drive and find people are a little more cautious around it. I further don't care how many miles are put on it. We take it to San Francisco when we visit our kids. Plus it gets the best MPG of our little fleet! Go big or go home! Lol

[kozzy]

I cant speak for a Dually, never had one, but what I can say on the SRW is they are easier to maneuver and park, obviously cost less all around. While the payload is quite high, in the 7k-8k range, the new SRW I just ordered is 4100 lbs. I had my monty at the scale before I ordered it, with my normal tools in the back, hitch, and everything in my camper besides clothes and food, the pin weight was 3300 LBS. so well within the limits, and still have room for bikes and firewood. I have heard Dually are more stable when driving, but personally I have never had an issue with the SRW. In my mind a dually is not a "better" tool it is just a "different" tool...

[richfaa]

Kozzy you still do not have the numbers. What is the GVW of the truck. What is the actual weight of the tuck everything in it and ready to tow. Take that real weight and subtract it from the GVW of the truck now you have the real carry capacity and it will be much less than the 4100 lbs.

[kozzy]

Rich,
I understand, I think what you are getting at, GVW of the truck is 11,700. Curb weight is 6703. that leaves 4997 for payload and cargo. My rear axel, at the scale and hooked to my Monty is 3020. and that includes the hitch. Add 500 for people. that makes 3520 lbs. Still have another 1477 lbs for stuff I didn't think of.
Not as much extra room as I would have with a dually, but still a good margin that I'm comfortable with.

[davidaf]

Holy smokes Kozzy, my pig of a truck just weighed in at 9880 fully loaded and ready to haul before adding the 5er. Maybe that's why it's so stable, It weighs almost as much as the Montana.

[kozzy]

The GVW is the max weight of the truck, with cargo and everything, the curb weight is what it weights out of the factory, I don't believe that includes fuel though. I would estimate that another 1000 lbs would be close to accurate. As soon as I get the new rig, I will take it down for actual weights at the scale.

I still have never used a dually to haul , and I am sure it is more stable for sure, and I am def not trying to sway someone one way or that other, just hoping to help by providing some info from my experiences that's all. If I didn't own a landscaping business and use my trucj to plow snow withg, I might try a dually, but trying to swing around parking lots with a long, bigger truck would be tough..

[richfaa]

The GVW is the max weight of the truck, with cargo and everything, the curb weight is what it weights out of the factory, I don't believe that includes fuel though. I would estimate that another 1000 lbs would be close to accurate. As soon as I get the new rig, I will take it down for actual weights at the scale."

That is correct Kozzy load up the truck ready to tow then take it to the scales truck only and do the numbers the you will have the correct numbers.

You may be surprised when you weigh the truck ready to tow. My guess is it will be @ 7500 lbs you should stil be within specs as the Dodge has high payload numbers.

My Ford invoice indicates it comes from the factory with 12 gallons of fuel. The last time we weighed the F-350 it weighed in at 9215 lbs.

[mlh]

I would be surprised to find a diesel pickup that only weighed 6700 pounds. An aluminum F150 with a V6 can go over 6000 pounds. That engine weighs 400 pounds a diesel will go over 1000 pounds add to that the steel body heavier body rear end frame and more.
Lynwood

[kozzy]

Rich,
I agree, I'm guessing more like 7500 maybe even 8000....
I looked on the website for the RAM they indicate there payload number of 4000 is payload (cargo in the back)
its def worth just weighting and finding the true number, and cheap enough to do it.
As long as it will do the job safely I'm happy about it.
I'm excited just to get back into a Diesel for sure..

[bigred715]

Kozzy, is your rig 2 wheel drive or 4 wheel drive. Are Dodge trucks with the 6 cylinder lighter then the Ford and chevys with V-8's.I think my SRW 2007 Chevy long bed extended cab weighs about 7200#.

[kozzy]

It is 4 wheel drive. I'm currently just looking at the posted curb weight from my build sheet on the truck I ordered, it lists it at 6703. That is without fuel in it though. Diesel Fuel weight varies around 7.5 lbs per gallon, depending on Temp. So call it 8 lbs. The tank is 32 gallons so that is 256 for fuel. so call it 7000 - 7500 lbs for the truck, to include things I'm not thinking of. That would make sens for a payload of 4000 and GVW of 11,700

[richfaa]

The stated payload is everything in the truck. Fuel,hitch,tools,you, wife,CB, TST, Ham sandwich. I was surprised the first time we weighed the truck and Montana. Even worst case 8,000 lbs less the 11,700 GVW will leave you 3700 lbs for pin weigh. You should be OK...

We weigh the truck at a landscaping company and they do it free.The scale is not long enough for the Montana.

[Razrbk]

Does anyone know what the SAE J2807 vehicle "base weight" consist of? - Thanks

[Razrbk]

I'd heard that it is the tested truck's base curb weight (i.e. all fluids, full fuel tank, and vehicle's standard equipment) plus a 150lb driver and a 150lb passenger.

[Hooker]

Look at the Tire and Loading Information sticker on the driver's door jam. It gives the cargo capacity to the nearest one pound...before you start adding "stuff."

[kozzy]

Rich, I agree, that's my thoughts, I read it again, and it states cargo and stuff in the back, I guess the way it worded was tricky to read at first.

Bottom line, ill hit the scale when it gets here, so I can have some true numbers, like you said, ill be within the limits, that's the important thing.
I cant find a free scale here.
The Pilot truck stop a few miles away charges 10.50 for the first weight, and 2 bucks for each additional..not too bad for piece of mind

[Bill-N-Donna]

I’ve towed different RV trailers with a SRW truck for many years before getting the dually. I was towing an Airstream at the time we got our first dually. I was considering a very expensive hitch to take away the sway. Once I purchased a dually I couldn’t believe the difference it made on towing a trailer and the extra stability I felt. After that I no longer considered the expensive hitch. We’re on our second Montana and I’ve only towed them with a dually. If was considering a trade I would stay with a dually and watch the weight ratings!

[MP1]

We have 3402RL ...39 feet...and tow with a 2011 Dodge Laramie 4X4... SW ...short bed extended cab...and feel comfortable with the rig. Importantly, as I reviewed this string of comments, ...I did not read that anyone mentioned air bags. Before we launched 19 months ago, I installed 5K lb Firestone air bags...with the installation of a gauge in the truck so that I can monitor their performance as we travel. I notice that the air bags are active even in a moderate wind allowing me the luxury of not having to make steering adjustments under these conditions. In addition, our coach and truck are always completely level. Related to weight factors...I also installed a 40 gal Taylor Wings fuel cell which allows me to carry 74 gallons of diesel and allows me an operating range of 800 miles to dead empty. Beyond all the comments in this string...I really like to keep our truck and coach looking spiffy...which means I can get the truck washed at an economical cost in almost any location in which we stay. If you want to talk more about this...please call me at 916 838 8050. Good luck with your decision.