Single wheel vs. dually
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Single wheel vs. dually
In the next 2 weeks I will be buying my first Ford truck, and I have a problem. I want to buy a 2008 3500 4X4, crew cab, long bed truck. I will pull a 13,800# 5th wheel. My pin weight is 3,100#, plus 300# for the hitch, and 300# for a generator which will also go in the bed.
My problem is that I don't want a dually, I want a single wheel truck. Realistically though, unless I am reading the spec. sheets incorrectly, I don't think a single wheel will "legally" handle the weight, but I sure hope that I'm wrong.
Will you give me your thoughts?
My problem is that I don't want a dually, I want a single wheel truck. Realistically though, unless I am reading the spec. sheets incorrectly, I don't think a single wheel will "legally" handle the weight, but I sure hope that I'm wrong.
Will you give me your thoughts?
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Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Central Massachusetts
plus the other thing to take into consideration, is weight of people, full tank of fuel and anything else that might be in your underbay will bring your weight up on the pin. my pin weight shows 2,000# without a slide. When I scaled out my truck axles ended up being 12,210 total ( truck dry weight 8700#) That is sitting still, so when you go over some of these bridges towing pin weight may bounce up to another 1,000# or so. Also I always thought I was towing about 13,500# When I scaled at a cat scale found out I was at 16,650#. if you are at 13,800 dry weight you would be closer to probably 18 to 19,000#. In that case you might need 4.30 gears too. Have you scaled it out before?
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Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Northwest AR
With as much weight as you are going to be carrying, I'd recommend the DRW. It makes the towing platform much more stable. As was stated above, I would strongly at the 4.30 or ar least 4.10 rear ends. It sorta depends on how often you tow, and whether or not this will be a daily driver otherwise.
If you have an extended pin box on your f'ver, consider a short bed dually.
If you have an extended pin box on your f'ver, consider a short bed dually.
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I pull a 40' warrior that is about 13k and about 4k more for toys and water and stuff. I love towing with my dually and have gotten real used to driving the dually around town and empty. Worst part about a dually is that you are VERY limited on tire size choices. Guys two big haulers ALL the time with SRW trucks...They will do it for sure, but becuase of the 3.73 gearing...you'll wish you had 4.10's or even better 4.30.s and those can only be ordered with the dually. Gearing makes all the difference. The dually adds LOTS of stability and of course the safety factor. ~Brad
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Not to mention they're not really harder to drive. The mirrors still stick out the same as the rear fenders while un-extended. This was my first dually and I've only had one curb check. This thing turns sharper than my 03' SRW anyway because of the front end.
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From: California
wormburner1941
I'd would recommend the dually for the stability as well as weight hauling. Also there is a wide track front end option for Job 2 on the 350 DW. It will have the incredible turning radius that the 450 has. This is very nice when hauling a longer load.
I'd would recommend the dually for the stability as well as weight hauling. Also there is a wide track front end option for Job 2 on the 350 DW. It will have the incredible turning radius that the 450 has. This is very nice when hauling a longer load.
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: west central wisconsin
"REAL" trucks don't have spark plugs, automatic transmissions or single rear wheels. I need a bumper sticker for that one.
Nobody mentioned the resale value of a dually over a srw.
Nobody mentioned the resale value of a dually over a srw.
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From: In My Mind
Originally Posted by wormburner1941
In the next 2 weeks I will be buying my first Ford truck, and I have a problem. I want to buy a 2008 3500 4X4, crew cab, long bed truck. I will pull a 13,800# 5th wheel. My pin weight is 3,100#, plus 300# for the hitch, and 300# for a generator which will also go in the bed.
My problem is that I don't want a dually, I want a single wheel truck. Realistically though, unless I am reading the spec. sheets incorrectly, I don't think a single wheel will "legally" handle the weight, but I sure hope that I'm wrong.
Will you give me your thoughts?
My problem is that I don't want a dually, I want a single wheel truck. Realistically though, unless I am reading the spec. sheets incorrectly, I don't think a single wheel will "legally" handle the weight, but I sure hope that I'm wrong.
Will you give me your thoughts?
I had the single wheel drive on last truck and went to the dually... Same trailer is so much more stable towing.
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From: ontario canada
I presently own a 2005 F350 CC LB DRW Lariat 40000 miles. I pull a 38 5ver about 14,000 lb. 3.73 gears. Up and down the eastern seaboard with no problems on those hills with this unit. My new truck is waiting at the dealer for Nov. deilvery. (my truck is leased) I decided to go to a 2008 F350 LB SRW CC Lariat 3.73. 4x4. This will be my first 4x4. I agree with what you all said about the dually. I just wanted to try this set up. I have had 2 V10's SD SRW 3.73 hauling a 34 ft 5ver. No problems except a little slow up the hills with that combo.Good luck with your new truck.
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From: California
Originally Posted by badbrad60
Tinyone, how did you get 3.73's with a dually? 6 speed manual?
That is the standard config. My last two duallies both had hand shakers, but I had the optional 4:10's.
The Auto and 4:10's or 4:30's are options
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Thanks to all of you who responded. You confirmed what I thought, but was hoping that I could go with a single wheel. For a point of information, my brother has a 4' Kountry Star pulled with a dually, and he also recommended a dually for the reasons you all mentioned.
1968gts, what did you mean Job 2 for a wide track, better turning radius? I don't think I saw that as an optopn.
Phil
1968gts, what did you mean Job 2 for a wide track, better turning radius? I don't think I saw that as an optopn.
Phil
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From: Central Massachusetts
Originally Posted by wormburner1941
Thanks to all of you who responded. You confirmed what I thought, but was hoping that I could go with a single wheel. For a point of information, my brother has a 4' Kountry Star pulled with a dually, and he also recommended a dually for the reasons you all mentioned.
1968gts, what did you mean Job 2 for a wide track, better turning radius? I don't think I saw that as an optopn.
Phil
1968gts, what did you mean Job 2 for a wide track, better turning radius? I don't think I saw that as an optopn.
Phil