Community Forums

Monacoach · 03-06-2016, 09:04 AM

Looking to trade for a fifth wheel gross weight somewhere in the 14, 000 area and will need a truck. Going to get a 350 or 3500 series truck with crew cab but im undecided about the box size and single or dually. From my research so far it seems that if I go for the short box I may need a sliding fifth wheel. The long box might make the truck to long for our driveway. Putting our driveway aside are there any other pros or cons to short or long box ...dually vrs single?

Rickeoni · 03-06-2016, 09:16 AM

Dually = more stability
Long box = more bed storage
Short box + SRW = simpler usage when not using as a TV.

markmiiler · 03-06-2016, 09:17 AM

Long box will give better ride and stabillity on road. Single or dual... Dual will have more stabillity with weight on rear of truck. Long box and dual tires will give you a very stiff ride empty!

rskeans · 03-06-2016, 09:20 AM

Everybody will have an opinion depending on their own uses. All are valid. For me - -
1. Long Box. I use a 5th wheel tool box in the truck. It's very deep, maybe 20"+. I wouldn't have room for the hitch with a SB.
2. My truck is about 22' long. That might not work for you.
3. With 14000 lbs a SRW should work just fine. If over that I would lean to a DRW. There is no magical point for one vs the other, except for pin weight on the very heavy 5vers. If you get the DRW first then there is no restrictions if you should fine a 5ver that you want that is heavy. That was my case. I already had the DRW and when we found our 19000 lb 5ver I knew that I could handle it.
4. I guess for some there are Cons with the long box and a DRW. For each parking could be an issue. It's just not a problem for me.
5. There is no wrong choice. For me I like to keep my options open.

Monacoach · 03-06-2016, 09:33 AM

Excellent feedback in such a short time thankyou. Ok im hearing stability is better with a dually and that makes sense but does that mean a swd does not handle well? Issues in cross winds perhaps?

Cummins12V98 · 03-06-2016, 09:38 AM

RAM 3500 Dually with factory rear air ride tow what you want. Rock solid in all conditions.

Highway products tool box, 30" front to back.

B&W RVK3600 hitch.

drfife · 03-06-2016, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monacoach

Excellent feedback in such a short time thankyou. Ok im hearing stability is better with a dually and that makes sense but does that mean a swd does not handle well? Issues in cross winds perhaps?

I tow with a 2012 GMC 3500HD SRW standard bed (6.5').

45K miles towing. No issues or complaints. No problems with cross winds.

Monacoach · 03-06-2016, 09:46 AM

Thats a nice looking set up cummins 12.
If an inside dually goes flat can it be changed with the usual tools or is an impact wrench required?

Pete1985 · 03-06-2016, 09:55 AM

Dually = more stability with weight on rear of truck.

Blue74 · 03-06-2016, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monacoach

Thats a nice looking set up cummins 12.
If an inside dually goes flat can it be changed with the usual tools or is an impact wrench required?

Single set of nuts hold both wheels on. Just purchased a 2013 ford F350 and it has a bottle jack behind the seat to lift it up. Of course I would not try with the fifth wheel attached.

rskeans · 03-06-2016, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monacoach

If an inside dually goes flat can it be changed with the usual tools or is an impact wrench required?

The supplied tools will work.

Rickeoni · 03-06-2016, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markmiiler

Long box will give better ride and stabillity on road. Single or dual... Dual will have more stabillity with weight on rear of truck. Long box and dual tires will give you a very stiff ride empty!

Stiff is an understatement, it is even worse with 19.5 H rated tires. Definitely not daily driver type material.

wingnut60 · 03-06-2016, 02:02 PM

Being on my 3rd dually, I eventually came to the conclusion that changing tires with the supplied jack/lug wrench was not fun, so am now using a cordless impact wrench and an aluminum floor jack. Maneuvering the 19.5s still isn't fun, but the lugs/jacking part is much easier. And lining up 10 holes instead of eight can be challenging...
But I have only had one flat with the 19.5s and it was on the inside, with the trailer attached.
Joe

jimcumminsw · 03-07-2016, 08:27 AM

If you buy a RAM MEGA CAB you have no choice on bed size. You will only get a short bed 6'-5", but you will have the largest cab in the industry which is "PRICELESS".

When we carry our grandkids for camping there is room for them and all of their must have accessories when they go camping with us. When it is just the two of us the seats are folded flat and the DW can put whatever she needs in the truck. A happy DW is a happy family.