Newbie Truck/Towing Questions!

[Gigattime]

You'll find the dually is just as easy to drive once you get used to it. My wife drives our dually every now and then with no issues.

You won't regret the dually...more stable towing. They are built to tow.

[RVnAggie]

Absolutely get the dually.

Personal data point to offer……I’ve pulled the same 15k plus fiver for almost 6 years. First 3 years with an (overloaded) SRW, and nearly 3 years now with the DRW.

Same trailer, same load, same driver but different truck = night vs day difference in stability, breaking and overall handling; all of which equates to a greater factor of safety built into your rig to protect your greatest asset…..your family.

Not to mention you’ll be much less fatigued at the end of a 6-8 hour drive on moving day. The difference in using the 6 wheeler as a daily driver is also only a minor adjustment that quickly becomes second nature & habit.

Get the dually then “don’t worry about the mule, just load the wagon.”

Happy trails,

[PulNSerenity]

Originally Posted by Skip426

Don't let the DW go RV shopping alone ; or you'll need one of these. LOL

What do you get pulling your 5th wheel down the road... 7-8mpg? Is your maintenance much higher than if you ran a dually?

[PulNSerenity]

Yeah if you are full timing with a larger 5th wheel go with the dually. They generally are only about $1,200-1,500 more & not as difficult to drive as you would think. Drive through fast food can be an issue but how often are you going to be doing that?

[5er2life]

Mileage varies obviously on headwinds, elevations changes and cruising speed. I've seen quite a few folks at the 10 MPG who drive in the 62-65mph sweet spot. About to put this to the test on our first longer haul in June. Definitely shoot for a dually, for your family's safety and your nerves. Welcome to IRV2, lots of great info and folks.

[Bill Nourse]

I pull a 16,000 toy hauler with a 2022 3500 HD SRW Duramax with no issues. At 14,000 you should have no issues. If this is the truck you have your heart set on there is no reason not to get it. If you are flexible then just go with the DRW and have no questions as to capability.

My numbers: Truck 8,400 with hitch, people, tool box, fuel and Herbie the wonder dog. Truck GVWR 12,100. Leaves about 3700 for pin weight. Rear axle empty is 3500 rear axle rating is 7280 leaving 3780 for pin weight.
If you doubt the ability of a newer 3500 or 350 to handle a 14,000 5th wheel, look up the test on the Ike Gauntlet with a 2500 GM HD pulling 16,000.
https://tfltruck.com/2019/06/does-th...untlet-review/

[Theunz]

The reason you are seeing more and more large 5th wheels being towed by one ton SRW trucks is because most of them are not full-timers, let alone with 5 people. What even two full- timers need to pack is significantly less weight than what most weekenders or vacationers will pack. In my own case even though my trailer has a gross weight capacity of 16,000 I will only weigh about 14,000 packed for a 2 or 3 week vacation. You, on the other hand, will most likely will be packing to full if not over capacity with 5 people. You need a dually and a VERY big trailer. Just because an RV can sleep 5 doesn’t mean it can “live” 5!

[Jerstom15]

Originally Posted by Theunz

The reason you are seeing more and more large 5th wheels being towed by one ton SRW trucks is because most of them are not full-timers, let alone with 5 people. What even two full- timers need to pack is significantly less weight than what most weekenders or vacationers will pack. In my own case even though my trailer has a gross weight capacity of 16,000 I will only weigh about 14,000 packed for a 2 or 3 week vacation. You, on the other hand, will most likely will be packing to full if not over capacity with 5 people. You need a dually and a VERY big trailer. Just because an RV can sleep 5 doesn’t mean it can “live” 5!

This is very true and good advice, seriously I can’t thank you all enough!