Towing: SRW VS Dually

I have a 1+ year old single rear wheel 148 inch wheel base F-250. A few months ago I purchased a big assed (28' x 10' tall) used enclosed (not a 5-wheel) trailer/toy hauler to take my race car and then stay at the track in. Put on new trailer tires (upgrades to the max weight rating tires) bought a new weight distribution hitch with sway bars, added air bags to the truck to ensure things were level. Weighed and re-weighed to make sure my tongue weights and total trailer weights were proper for my tow vehicle. Tows well until the cross winds come. 10 mph winds cause a little pucker factor, when they start blowing/gusting 20ish you better hang on with both hands. I just drove 500 miles each way with it and I was ready for a beer when I got to the end of my tow, OK, multiple beers! I got to thinking I should have bought a dually. Anybody out there switched from a single rear wheel truck to a dual rear wheel truck for towing and did it make a difference towing in the wind?

Marty

Even a 350 SRW would probably be a bit better due to the stiffer rear suspension (higher load capacity). Dually will be even better, as it's got a wider stance in the rear and you'll be even further below its capacity.

But realistically, a large bumper pull trailer will always struggle a little in heavy crosswinds. A gooseneck would be much better in that respect, as it's pushing on the truck pretty much over the rear axle instead of well behind it.

What if you slow down 5-10 mph in heavy winds? Takes a bit longer for the trip but I have found even while not towing that a small change in speed can have a huge effect on "pucker" factor in high wind.

I don't have any first-hand experience towing with a SRW truck, but I have pulled a thing or two with my DRW C-30 Silverado. It's easy to forget that you are in fact pulling anything back there.

I attribute the stability to the fact that there is twice as much tire sidewall to handle the lateral load.

I've always wondered what the true advantage of a DRW truck was, and now I know. Thanks, GRM!

Sky_Render wrote: I've always wondered what the true advantage of a DRW truck was, and now I know. Thanks, GRM!

On top of towing ability, look at the payload ratings. Using the current gen F-350 as an example, a 4wd crew cab long bed diesel is good for 3680 lbs in the bed in SRW form. As a dually, it's good for 5820 lbs.

That difference is down to the tires. Any single reasonable-sized tire that's not an insanely heavy load range (made of unobtanium) can only carry so much weight. So the solution to getting a higher max axle weight is to use 2 slightly narrower tires instead of a single tire.

I love my dually. I owned a 3/4 pickup and 1 ton dually at the same time. Both turbo diesel 4x4s, both on e rated 10 ply tires, the 3/4 ton got sold because I love the stability of the drw with heavy loads. With the drw I haven't felt the need for airbags etc even at max tow capacity. The modern 3/4 tons do a hell of a job, but the dually is a different level.

I can agree with what's said above. It's really all about stability. The SRW or 3/4 ton trucks will pull anything a 1 ton DRW will, but the stability and sense of confidence that you get with the DRW is unmatched. Plus they look so much cooler than a long bed SRW! Only takes a little to get used to having the extra width behind you. I always looked at it as my mirrors were wider than the rear fenders, so as far as fitting anywhere you go with a SRW truck you shouldn't have an issue (unless you are talking a narrow trail or something with low obstructions that the mirrors would go over).

I've put many towing miles on my brother's Powerstroke Dually's. (he's had 4 of them) Nothing beats a dually. (well besides commercial trucks) The stability and confidence while towing really puts your mind at ease. The first time I got caught in a heavy rainstorm I was equally amazed at how incredibly stable the truck was. For long-distance highway use, they are awesome--- as planted as a train.

I attribute the stability to the fact that there is twice as much tire sidewall to handle the LATERAL LOAD.

Yes! I don't know why it seems so rare for people to bring up that a lot of what you feel as 'sway' in the towing vehicle is the movement between the wheels and the contact patch. More sidewall = less 'sway' = less 'pucker'.

In reply to Vigo:

Agreed. This is also why it's important to make sure the rear tires are aired up enough when towing. Partly because of the extra weight they're carrying, partly to stiffen things up and make them squish around less.

Thanks for all the replies folks. Looks like I should have purchased a dually :)

Marty