Community Forums

jacknife · 04-10-2022, 02:45 PM

One ton dually for sure . As far as 4 Ed engagement . Mine is electronic as in the last 3 trucks , I have never experienced an issue with engaging it . Like anything else there is always a chance of something not working properly .

JIMNLIN · 04-11-2022, 08:35 AM

Quote:

We are new to this, looking at a 41' fiver, 18k gvw. Is a dually a must or will a SRW 3500 handle it?

There are no 350/3500 srw with enough rear axle (rawr) for a 18 gvw 5th wheel trailer. The 18k gvw trailer @ 20% pin weight = 3600 lbs....or 22 percent = about 4000 lbs.
Now add another 200lb for a hitch system and another 100 lbs for stuff we carry in the bed. It may add up to well over 4200 lbs .
A 350/3500 srw trucks have 7000-7250 rawr. The trucks rear axle may weigh in the 3400 lb+ range leaving 3600-3850 lbs max rear axle payload.

The 350/3500drw trucks have 9750 up to 10500 rawrs.
These trucks are good for approx 6k-7k depending on std and optional selections.

I wouldn't even think gas engines for a trailer that size. Diesel all the way.

Bill Nourse · 04-11-2022, 09:57 AM

I am pulling a 16,000 38' toy hauler with a 2022 3500 SRW Duramax, and I would not consider going any bigger with DRW. I am under max, but not by enough that I could handle 2,000 more.

Dark Sky · 04-11-2022, 05:11 PM

We lived in an 18k lb toy hauler for a while, pulled it for 5 years with a 2011 F350 1 ton dually. That trailer would squat the truck by more than 4 inches, but it did pull and handle well. I would not tow that trailer with my new 3500 SRW. No problem to get it moving but....

varmonter · 04-11-2022, 06:10 PM

I would look at a 4500..drw..
There is nothing wrong with some margin...a little extra....no one can have too much truck.

Rhagfo · 04-14-2022, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

350/3500 DRW........no question about it

Quote:

Originally Posted by JIMNLIN

There are no 350/3500 srw with enough rear axle (rawr) for a 18 gvw 5th wheel trailer. The 18k gvw trailer @ 20% pin weight = 3600 lbs....or 22 percent = about 4000 lbs.
Now add another 200lb for a hitch system and another 100 lbs for stuff we carry in the bed. It may add up to well over 4200 lbs .
A 350/3500 srw trucks have 7000-7250 rawr. The trucks rear axle may weigh in the 3400 lb+ range leaving 3600-3850 lbs max rear axle payload.

The 350/3500drw trucks have 9750 up to 10500 rawrs.
These trucks are good for approx 6k-7k depending on std and optional selections.

I wouldn't even think gas engines for a trailer that size. Diesel all the way.

When these two members tell you that you NEED a DRW, then you should LISTEN!

TXiceman · 04-14-2022, 07:58 AM

If you do not want to get a DRW truck, the only options are to get a smaller trailer or tow over weight limits.

Ken

**Camp CA** · 04-14-2022, 08:06 AM

I would want a DRW. My fifth wheel trailer GVWR is 16,600 lbs and we tow it with a Ford F350 DRW.

Cumminsfan · 04-14-2022, 09:47 AM

My 19 Ram 3500 CTD 4x2 CC LB has 4558lbs for payload and 7,000 RAWR. Base rear weight is 2850 or so.
Certainly enough spec wise for an 18,000lb 5er. I'd still rather tow 18,000lbs with a DRW.

Old-Biscuit · 04-14-2022, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cumminsfan

My 19 Ram 3500 CTD 4x2 CC LB has 4558lbs for payload and 7,000 RAWR. Base rear weight is 2850 or so.
Certainly enough spec wise for an 18,000lb 5er. I'd still rather tow 18,000lbs with a DRW.

Base rear weight is not ACTUAL rear axle weight
Go to scales loaded up camp ready and get weighed then you will find that the rear axle weight is closer to 3400+

Add in 4200# wet pin weight and that 7000# RAWR is overloaded.

Base axle weight is like using dry weight numbers ----- empty/no load

xc-mark · 04-14-2022, 11:05 AM

I had a single wheel 3500 and now a DRW 3500 , the DRW truck is MUCH more stable with my 17000 lb 5th wheel behind it. I was always correcting the steering because the back of the single wheel truck was getting pulled around by the trailer. Once you have towed the same load with a DRW truck and compare how much less stressfull twisty roads or cross wind on the highway you will understand "Yes I did pull that trailer but No I shouldn't have" At 18,000 lbs I dont think I would consider a 450/4500. Yes its more truck but often have less payload then 3500 trucks. I have driven a freightliner M2 sportchassi and I would get one before a 450/550 in any brand. Air ride cab, air ride seats, air ride rear axle= smooth ride even empty , very similar ride to a new 3/4 ton GM truck.

FYI the rear axle of my SRW3500 with the 5th wheel hooked up and wet was 700lbs over the tire rating. Never a good idea to be over on your tires that could put you in the ditch at any point!

Bill Nourse · 04-15-2022, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cumminsfan

My 19 Ram 3500 CTD 4x2 CC LB has 4558lbs for payload and 7,000 RAWR. Base rear weight is 2850 or so.
Certainly enough spec wise for an 18,000lb 5er. I'd still rather tow 18,000lbs with a DRW.

Don't know how you are getting 2850 for rear axle weight on a 1 ton SRW pickup. The rear axle on my 2002 2500HD Duramax scaled at 3400 empty. My 2022 Duramax is 3500 empty. And this is before a 200 hitch.

I know there are a lot of people towing this much with a SRW, but 18,000 is definitely dually territory in my opinion.