DRW or SRW
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
srw by a nose
16k GVWR trailer...SRW 350 will handle it but it'll be close to max payload once you've got a cab full of people.
I had to buy a dually, in fact my last three trucks have been due to my daily towing of 18-22,000lbs.
That said, the F350 SRW has a fantastic range of abilities and I can't wait to get back to one, hopefully some time next year when someone else will take over trailering responsibilities.
Advtgs of SRW- easier to park and dd, better economy, looks better to me, better off road, 11,500GVWR allows 99% of tasks to be done legally
Advtgs of DRW- extra stability towing in winds, at 13,000GVWR an extra 1,000lbs of pin weight and about 3,000lbs extra towing ability
Close call but the new SRW 1 ton will handle the 16k and that would be what I'd get in standard bed form as it makes an awesome workhorse and DD. Now, if end up wanting a long bed I'd get the dually. Keep us updated.
I had to buy a dually, in fact my last three trucks have been due to my daily towing of 18-22,000lbs.
That said, the F350 SRW has a fantastic range of abilities and I can't wait to get back to one, hopefully some time next year when someone else will take over trailering responsibilities.
Advtgs of SRW- easier to park and dd, better economy, looks better to me, better off road, 11,500GVWR allows 99% of tasks to be done legally
Advtgs of DRW- extra stability towing in winds, at 13,000GVWR an extra 1,000lbs of pin weight and about 3,000lbs extra towing ability
Close call but the new SRW 1 ton will handle the 16k and that would be what I'd get in standard bed form as it makes an awesome workhorse and DD. Now, if end up wanting a long bed I'd get the dually. Keep us updated.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 11
From: Greenwood, SC
The fifth wheel slider hitch is actually what you want on a short bed. It acts like a big truck fifth wheel, you can slide the kingpin plate forward or back to adjust where the weight sits best or you can slide it back for more turning clearance when you need to jacknife it.
On a longbed truck, you usually don't have to worry about clearances when you back up and need to jacknife the trailer since you have more distance from the rear window of the cab and the front of the trailer.
On a longbed truck, you usually don't have to worry about clearances when you back up and need to jacknife the trailer since you have more distance from the rear window of the cab and the front of the trailer.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 577
Likes: 0
From: Lebanon TN
I have a 5th wheel with a 2200 lb pin (loaded). I have the short bed. Bed drops about 2-2.5 inches and barely hits the top of the rear tip of the overload. I have the 11.5-lb GVWR. I occasionally feel the "squirm" of the rear tires (20" Michelins) but the truck handles the load fine. My 5th wheel is 35ft w/3 slides at about 12k-lb loaded. When I rigged the 18k slider hitch, we thought the camper would compress the springs further but it didn't. I use the truck as my daily driver. A DRW would allow us to upgrade the size of our camper one day and provide that stability towing; however, I can't drive a DRW to work, the mall, and other places I go. I also tow a bass boat all over creation as well. A DRW would be a bit more difficult in the trailer slots just wide enough for a regular width truck. BTW, I'm on vacation as I type this. The truck towed the 5th wheel so much easier than my '08 6.4. I love this truck!!
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,839
Likes: 2
The slider hitch does remove some of the necessity for "situational awareness" when backing up a fifth wheel with a SB truck. I have the B&W Companion hitch setup, it does not slide, and can turn the trailer 90 degrees and not hit the cab. I tried it once, on wet grass to prove the point. I never accept a campsite that causes me to twist everything that tight.
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More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 610
Likes: 3
I'm sure a srw will handle it, but I"m a dually fan so would say go for the DRW for sure! They pull great, and really the length is more of a parking problem then the width (unless your constantly parallel parking on narrow city streets). The stability on them is great also.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,788
Likes: 103
From: Georgia
Hi, figured I might add to what you already have on here. I towed a 12,000 lb 5er with a short extended cab F250. I bought a bigger 5er, 16,000-17,000 depending on "stuff" on board and tank levels. I spent a bunch of money upgrading the SRW, Air Bags, Rickson 19.5 inch wheels and commerical grade tires, exhaust brake, and a full set of guages to monitor everything. Towed the big 5er with it for a year. It did the job OK. But had a bunch of "situations" where the trailer was just sort of pushing the truck around. I hated to but bought a DRW long bed. Much more stable and comfortable. Yeah, I have to hunt a place to park sometimes but now that I'm used to it it's not that big a deal. However here's what is. On my summer trip I had two blow outs, both on the interstate at 60 to 65 MPH. Not two at once but two seprate events 4500 miles apart. Here's the deal, The only way I knew about the blowouts was I heard them. That DRW is that stable. Now, I never had a blow out with the SRW and can't say how that would have been but I doubt it would be anywhere near a s comfortable as the DRW. We tow a lot and to me the peace of mind is worth the small agravations and a little more expense. Hope this helps you.
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Naples, FL
I recently purchased my first DRW and pulled my toy hauler from South FL to CO. The improvement in stability is amazing. DRW gets my vote.
I usually park at the far end of parking lots no matter what I drive (our South FL senior citizens often park by feel) so parking the DRW is no problem.
I usually park at the far end of parking lots no matter what I drive (our South FL senior citizens often park by feel) so parking the DRW is no problem.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
From: Winfield, WV
One thing to think about is that you can get the DRW cheaper than the SRW. It sounds like you would be better off with the DRW due to the weight you will be pulling. As far as driving off road, you will be fine with the DRW as long as it doesn't get too muddy.
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New User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: WA
With all the excellent feedback I'm leaning more towards the DRW, I'm sure I'll get used to it over time. I don't worry about parking so much, as I always park far away from stores anyway. I guess my biggest concern was offroad and gas mileage more than anything. Stability and a better ride are starting to outweigh those though.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,788
Likes: 103
From: Georgia
How is the DRW cheaper? Did I miss something?
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Alberta, Canada
The 2011 DRW CC truck is my third DRW CC diesel since 2002. I drive it daily in city driving. I would not go back to a SRW unless I no longer had trailers to haul. I have a 40ft gooseneck race car trailer and a 39 ft 5th wheel holiday trailer. If you can get used to the width of the rear fenders on the DRW you have a lot more options for hauling and load capacity. Also, if you have to deal with snow get a 4x4 DRW....it makes it nicer to drive on slippery roads.
Rick
Rick
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