Community Forums

RetiringSoon · 08-22-2010, 04:35 PM

I have narrowed down my search for a new TV. I am going to order a 2011 Chevy 3500HD, Crew Cab, Long Bed, 4X4, w/ the LTZ package. My final decision is SRW or DRW. I would like some opinions based on the following:
-I will be towing a Montana 5th wheel (2955R)L, which will be fully loaded with a GVWR of 13,725#.
-We will be FT RVing, through out the states, Canada and Alaska
-I will be using the TV for some daily driving in NJ during November and December each year.
-When towing, it will be myself, DW and our dog
-I will be carrying 2 kayaks, a 250# gas scooter and 2 bikes on the TV
-The 2011 Chevy 3500 SRW has a GVWR of 11,000#, GCWR of 24,500#, a 5th wheel trailering rating of 16,800#, and a maximum payload of 4,268#
-The 2011 Chevy 3500 DRW has a GVWR of 13,000#, GCWR of 29,200#, a 5th wheel trailering rating of 21,100#, and a maximum payload of 5,905#
-The SRW TV has Hill Assist Start, Stabilitrak Electronic Stability Control (senses loss of lateral traction, understeer, and oversteer, and automatically adjusts brakes and engine torque), Trailer Sway Control (works with StabiliTrak, and senses trailer sway and automatically applies TV brakes and reduces engine power as necessary), and Automatic Locking Rear Differential. THE DRW HAS NONE OF THESE AND RELIES ON THE DUAL WHEELS FOR CONTROL.
-Identically equipped DWR TV cost ~$250 less that SRW.
My questions are:
-Should I go with the SRW or DWR?
-When in the snow and not towing, is the SRW with the above listed stability/sway/traction controls, better than the DRW?
-What sort of MPG reduction is normal with DRW (towing and non-towing)?
-Is there anything else I'm not considering?
I have talked to a number of dealers, but they are clueless.
Ideally I would like to go with the SRW, (better MPG, less tire cost, easier to drive when not towing), BUT I DON'T WANT TO MAKE A MISTAKE AND UNDER BUY.
All advice appreciated and welcome.

Rick&Cheryl · 08-22-2010, 05:04 PM

FWIW, I'd estimate the miles the truck will be used for towing, vs the miles non-towing, and whichever was greater, I'd go with a DRW for towing, and a SRW non-towing.
I think either option is a good one, so either way its nearly a tossup.

CD · 08-22-2010, 09:30 PM

My vote goes with the duals. The cost per mile may not be more for duals as they are carring less weight. I got 65k on my 1st. set. As for sway control, you will have much more stability with the duals and I don't think I want a computor messing with the brakes etc. You will most likely max out or overload the rear axle on the singles plus with duals you can run a lot less air pressure and have better ride. IMHO you need a truck so don't short change it. The duals are only about 7" wider on each side so the wide hips is more of a mental problem than real.

lynn boyd · 08-24-2010, 11:21 AM

The SRW is more than enough TV for the trailer you are pulling. it sounds like it has better options for the price. id go for the SRW, no matter what they try to tell ya..dullys are ugly. lol

Ray,IN · 08-24-2010, 06:56 PM

This Montana model has a dry pin weight to shipping weight of 16.6%, if one is to believe the specs page. That sounds lite to me, most are between 20-25%, but anyway. When you divide the GVW (which is not given) by 16.6%, the result is approximately the expected loaded pin weight. Add that pin weight, the weight of everything that you anticipate will be in the truck when you go camping, and the result should be under the trucks GVW, and RAWR. If the single rear wheel truck will do the job you have your answer.
You cannot know each trucks actual curb weight without visiting a scales.

jperry29 · 08-25-2010, 12:55 AM

I too have a 5'er weighing just over 13,000#. I have pulled it with two trucks, one a SRW and the other a DRW. The DRW is definitely costing me more money in tires and fuel but the difference in feel of the truck when towing is worth it to me. I did do one thing on the DRW that I did not do on the SRW, I added air bags. These are automatic, self-leveling and that probably has something to do with the difference in feel. Still, I prefer the dually.

Timetraveler · 08-26-2010, 02:18 PM

SWR is not "easier to drive" when not towing. The widest part of the truck is the mirrors no matter which you have. Also, I have no problems in the snow with DRW either in NJ or CO mtns. Stability is better under all conditions. JMHO

450Donn · 08-26-2010, 05:02 PM

Large fivers demand a dually. I don't really know how much more simple I can make it. With the new heavier fivers a person can exceed the GVWR/GCWR/GAWR long before they start adding the personal stuff when talking a SRW truck either a 3/4 or one ton. And full timers are especially prone to overloading since they are carrying everything they own in the truck/trailer.

georgetown350 · 08-26-2010, 05:37 PM

I am a firm believer in getting the biggest strongest truck available for the job. Dually all the way baby. Also keeps the door open if you decide to trade for a heavier trailer.

TomHolsinger · 08-28-2010, 03:04 PM

If you really, really want a SRW, the thing to check carefully is PIN weight. Even if you are not overloaded there initially, it will be easy to become overloaded in the future unless you pay close attention to weight the entire time. IMO you are right on the borderline here, and it would be safer to go with DRW from the beginning. Those are plain safer with that load.