Travelling with a DRW vs. SRW

[Rogerl]

One of the advantages of travelling with a 5th wheel is being able to unhitch and take the truck downtown or anywhere a car can go. My question is for those of you with a dually how does it compare to SRW when wanting to to take a side trip or shopping trip when parking may be more limited. Does it present difficulties? Are there places you can't go because of the dually? Thanks.

[Flagstaff206]

I had a 2003 Dually new. I honestly found that driving a dually daily was not that big of a deal. If you are some one who is use to driving the bigger trucks and is comfortable with them, driving the dually is no big deal. However parking might be a issue, not as far as manuvering as much as parking spot sizes. What size and weight 5th wheel do you have? You might be ok with a 3/4 or 1 ton SRW

[RustyJC]

DRW is no big deal. We've had them since 1996, and when we're on the road my wife will take ours just about anywhere she takes her Toyota Highlander when we're at home. Drive-thru lanes at the bank and at some restaurants are the exceptions.

Rusty

[tuffr2]

I kinda like driving my dually. It is more comfortable than I imagined. I don't park close to the grocery store nor waste time trying to get spot close the the store.

The plus is wow, are you safe if someone plows into you.

Downside is parking, car washes with the tracks, drive thrus.

[JohnT]

SRW will go places the DRW struggles to. I've owned both. Always have to watch out for the "hips" on the DRW. So you park out further and get a little exercise. DW won't drive the DRW period.

I will say that most parking lots in Texas are designed for trucks; deep and wide.

[Half Dimes]

Only place I don't take our DRW truck is through the ATM lane at the bank and a couple of tight parking garages. Even drove through the Needles Highway tunnel in SD. Had an audience gather to see if I made it. I did.

[JDT]

Our SRW can be a little tight for some parking spots but honestly don't pay much attention to it. Just find a spot that works, even if it means walking a bit more. Need the exercise anyway. The only reference I have is our travelling friends have a dually and they generally prefer I drive when we go exploring, shopping or out to eat.

[steelpony555]

My dually is my daily driver and I love driving it. You don't have to worry bout the hips if you are driving your mirrors. Yeah it is a little long and wide for parking up by the front door of Walmart, but I always parked out any ways to keep from getting dinged. Here in Texas there are a lot of daily driver duallys. ...If you plan on traveling long distances with a 5er then the dually is what you want. It is not a matter of which one is more comfortable to drive empty but which one is gonna do the better job towing. I have towed with both and much more prefer the dually traveling.

[tuffr2]

One time I was following my friend who was a part time big rig driver He was in a Ram dually and I was driving a very zippy F150. We were driving in medium traffic with cars and stop lights.

He drove that dually like a sports car and it took all I had not to loose him. He parked it in a cramped parking lot, again like it was a sports car.

Darn those big rig drivers. I can not drive my dually like he could drive his.

[Palpatine]

I have the BIG dually, F-450, and yes it presents problems at times. It will not go through drive-thrus, it will not park in ONE parking spot and it will not go into a car wash. Also there are some streets in some towns (Hilton Head and The Villages come to mind) that it will not go down without rubbing on the curbs. Is it worth it? Have a flat on the rear tire and then ask me if you want one or two on that side when pulling.

[mpierce]

Advantages outweigh disadvantages. there are a few spots you cannot go. Crowded, narrow street parking? Forget it.

However, I have found 99% of places I can go. I park farther out in parking lots, so I can use two spots for the length. 4 door, 8' box.

[huntnski]

Anyone know why stores like Home Depot and Lowes, who know a large percentage of their patrons will be driving trucks, and sometimes big (3/4 ton or bigger) trucks, make their parking spots so darn small? In addition to the size you have to make a 90 degree turn into the spot. End of rant!(for now)
I pulled my 5er with 3/4 ton crew cab 6 1/2 ' bed and got around pretty good, but while on the road sometimes wish I had the dully just for peace of mind. Solved problem, now have class A.

[TXiceman]

No real problems driving the DRW in the city. My wife drives it with and without the 36' 5er. You do have to watch the drive throughs since you will not fit in most of them.

We generally park out away from the crowd and walk in to the store. My Doctor keeps telling me is it good to walk.

Ken

[RustyJC]

Originally Posted by huntnski

Anyone know why stores like Home Depot and Lowes, who know a large percentage of their patrons will be driving trucks, and sometimes big (3/4 ton or bigger) trucks, make their parking spots so darn small? In addition to the size you have to make a 90 degree turn into the spot. End of rant!(for now).

Ummmm......because the typical homeowner drives down in a Toyota Prius to pick up the 4'x8' sheets of drywall and takes 'em home strapped to the roof?

Rusty