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01-21-2017, 02:49 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Ramona
Posts: 5
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Should I get DRW?
I'm new to this forum and new to RV'ing, so please excuse me if this question has already been asked a million times, which I'm sure it has.
I tried to do as much research about 5th wheels and tow vehicles as I could before we went out and purchased something, but you don't know what you don't know, and I have seen conflicting opinions on this topic. The place I bought the RV from said I was fine with my SRW, but I know that is not exactly the best place to get unbiased (or even correct) information.
First of all my 5th wheel is a 2016 39' Keystone Montana 3660RL. My tow vehicle is a 2016 Ford F350 Crew Cab Long Bed SRW. I do know from a shear weight perspective, that the truck will easily handle the RV with sufficient margin. For the few times I've towed so far, everything feels great.
Although I haven't perceived any issues, I do still have concerns about stability and safety. While I'm sure DRW is better that SRW in those areas, I already have the SRW and would prefer not to go to DRW unless there are some compelling reasons that I should do so.
Basically, I guess I'm just looking for a little reassurance that I'm ok with my SRW, but I also don't want a false sense of security. I'd appreciate experiences from anyone towing with a similar configuration, as well as information from anyone with expertise in this area.
Thanks
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01-21-2017, 02:56 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Waco, Tx
Posts: 5,457
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Only right way to answer that question is to weigh the truck and trailer. Get the pin weight loaded as you're going to haul it with everybody in the truck as if for a trip.
Check the sticker in this truck for your GVWR and payload then compare your numbers.
Javi
__________________
2015 Ford F350 DRW 6.7 Diesel XL
2020 Avalanche 313 RS
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01-21-2017, 03:05 PM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Ramona
Posts: 5
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Thanks Javi.
If I know I'm ok on the weight, then should I be ok with SRW?
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01-21-2017, 04:15 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Germantown, TN
Posts: 6,333
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Ruby, just as a WAG you are looking at a tongue weight of 2700 to 3300 pounds on the trailer when you're ready to go camping. Like was mentioned previously by all posters you need to go to your local CAT scale and read the results and compare them to the yellow sticker on the door panel. All of this is just semantics until you have the figures in front of you. By the way, can I assume you're running a diesel? That's a lot of trailer for a gas engine.
__________________
Jim in Memphis, Wife of 51 years is Brenda
2019 F450 6.7 Powerstroke
2018 Mobile Suites 40RSSA
2021 40' Jayco Eagle
2001 Road king w/matching Harley sidecar
2021 Yamaha X2 Wolverine 1000
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01-21-2017, 04:35 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Las Cruces
Posts: 4,665
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How do you know you're okay on the weight? When I was selling cars at a Ford dealership, I recommended to more than one customer that they get a DRW when they were looking at an RV like yours because of the payload capacity.
__________________
Brent
2013 Alpine 3500RE
2019 Silverado 2500HD Duramax
U.S. Air Force Retired (25 yrs)
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01-21-2017, 04:48 PM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Pflugerville
Posts: 34
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bsmith0404
How do you know you're okay on the weight? When I was selling cars at a Ford dealership, I recommended to more than one customer that they get a DRW when they were looking at an RV like yours because of the payload capacity.
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Looks like 2016 F350 SRW CCLB 4x4 payload should be at least 3700#. That gives op ~1100# above the manufacturer hitch weight to play with. Assuming 400# of passengers and 200# hitch, 500# of additional pin weight is still left for gear. Should be within range, might be kind of close or even slightly over, but shouldn't be enough to worry about. Biggest concern for me would be tire capacity and I'd get it scaled because those weights are certainly not to be exceeded.
Edit: at 3,640#/ea, 7,280# pair it's going to be hard to exceed that with that trailer assuming empty truck RAW is around 3200#.
__________________
2015 Chevrolet 2500HD w/ Kelderman 4-Link & 19.5 LRH tires
2015 Keystone Alpine 3730FB w/ Titan disc brakes and LRG tires
KG5PTC 146.520 7.245 mobile
Build and travel blog
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01-21-2017, 05:14 PM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,695
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jshupe
Looks like 2016 F350 SRW CCLB 4x4 payload should be at least 3700#. That gives op ~1100# above the manufacturer hitch weight to play with. Assuming 400# of passengers and 200# hitch, 500# of additional pin weight is still left for gear. Should be within range, might be kind of close or even slightly over, but shouldn't be enough to worry about. Biggest concern for me would be tire capacity and I'd get it scaled because those weights are certainly not to be exceeded.
Edit: at 3,640#/ea, 7,280# pair it's going to be hard to exceed that with that trailer assuming empty truck RAW is around 3200#.
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I think OP has to provide GVW and payload - and hit a scale. Ford indicates the vehicle can have a payload from 2900 to 4000 or so depending on gvw. The above comment depends on the trailer never exceeding the listed PW for dry weight...it will, to the tune of 20% or so of the gvw of the trailer....16,700+ which would equal 3200 lbs (or more give or take). However you want to shake it the vehicle appears to be "close" if not overloaded by the trailer. 1000 lbs for people, hitch, doggies and stuff is hard to stay under and it appears that would put the truck on the "short end" of the numbers - back to first sentence.
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01-21-2017, 03:02 PM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Vandenberg AFB, CA
Posts: 47
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Yes, you need to weigh your rig fully loaded. Follow the 4-Step Weight Safety Plan at FifthWheelSt.com.
Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
__________________
Dave Gray
08 Dodge Ram 3500 4X4, Dually, 6.7L Diesel, K&N cold air intake system, B&W Gooseneck with 5th Wheel Companion, Firestone Air Bags
SOB: 09 Toy Hauler with Trail Air Tri Glide Air Ride Pin Box.
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01-21-2017, 04:08 PM
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#9
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Site Team | Emeritus
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 3,878
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You won't know what is right until you weigh and compare tour pin weight to your payload amount listed on your door jamb sticker. You have to include you, passengers dogs, stuff, hitch in subtracting from your specific payload amount. Hope this helps. Javi is spot on.
Chip Bruce, RPh
Kansas City, MO
2016 Fuzion Impact 312
2015 Chevrolet Silverado LTZ
WELL....THAT WAS FUN!
__________________
Chip Bruce, RPh
Kansas City, MO
2016 Impact 312
2017 Silverado 3500HD SRW
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01-21-2017, 04:33 PM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Pflugerville
Posts: 34
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rubyzoo
I'm new to this forum and new to RV'ing, so please excuse me if this question has already been asked a million times, which I'm sure it has.
I tried to do as much research about 5th wheels and tow vehicles as I could before we went out and purchased something, but you don't know what you don't know, and I have seen conflicting opinions on this topic. The place I bought the RV from said I was fine with my SRW, but I know that is not exactly the best place to get unbiased (or even correct) information.
First of all my 5th wheel is a 2016 39' Keystone Montana 3660RL. My tow vehicle is a 2016 Ford F350 Crew Cab Long Bed SRW. I do know from a shear weight perspective, that the truck will easily handle the RV with sufficient margin. For the few times I've towed so far, everything feels great.
Although I haven't perceived any issues, I do still have concerns about stability and safety. While I'm sure DRW is better that SRW in those areas, I already have the SRW and would prefer not to go to DRW unless there are some compelling reasons that I should do so.
Basically, I guess I'm just looking for a little reassurance that I'm ok with my SRW, but I also don't want a false sense of security. I'd appreciate experiences from anyone towing with a similar configuration, as well as information from anyone with expertise in this area.
Thanks
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You should have plenty of margin. Go to the scales if you are worried about it, but...
19.5" LRH tires have similar lateral stability to dual LRE tires. Something worth considering if you don't want to move to DRW. Add some StableLoads if you aren't sitting on your overloads to activate them and the additional leaf will make it more stable, as well.
__________________
2015 Chevrolet 2500HD w/ Kelderman 4-Link & 19.5 LRH tires
2015 Keystone Alpine 3730FB w/ Titan disc brakes and LRG tires
KG5PTC 146.520 7.245 mobile
Build and travel blog
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01-21-2017, 06:36 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Waco, Tx
Posts: 5,457
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As far as I'm concerned that trailer is well in dually country. I don't care what tire you put on SRW 350 it ain't equal to a dually. I've got a 6000 pound payload off the showroom floor, ain't got to do nothing but drive it.
Javi
__________________
2015 Ford F350 DRW 6.7 Diesel XL
2020 Avalanche 313 RS
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01-21-2017, 08:34 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Kansas
Posts: 308
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So the 5er has a dry pin weight of 2646 and UVW of 13,180 and Tow Planner says the ready to camp pin weight will be around 3453 pounds. That is a dry pin percentage of 20.1 and with a 3% creep it gives you a 23.1 percent ready to camp. Here is link to the numbers.
http://towingplanner.com/Estimators/...0&lw=14950&a=3
Now add 200 for the hitch and 400 for people and stuff in the truck then you would require a 4053 pound payload on the pesky yellow tag on your door jam.
Stubby pencil isn't that accurate so a trip to the scales is still required if you want to sure you under all the specs of the truck but I get it will be close.
Here is a great training video put out by the RV Safety that explains all the numbers.
http://rvsafety.com/rv-education/mat...ks-to-trailers
__________________
Current
2017 Fleetwood Discovery 40D Class A Diesel Pusher
Past
2016 GMC Denila 1 ton Diesel CC 3722
2017 Grand Design Solitude 310GK-R
Montana 3711FL Front Living Room 5er
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01-22-2017, 05:24 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Las Cruces
Posts: 4,665
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Going back to the OPs original question of if a dually is better for towing....let me just say I was never a dually fan. I didn't like the looks of them and thought they were overkill for pulling a camper (except for the very large tri-axles). Then I bought our current Alpine. After many years of towing different types of trailers many, many thousand miles, I knew for my families safety as well as everyone else on the road that I needed more truck than my 2500 HD. I know the OP has a 350, but I'll simply say the difference between a 350/3500 and a 250/2500 SRW isn't that significant. When I went to the dually, NIGHT & DAY difference. I am now sold on a dually, wouldn't consider anything different. I still don't care for the looks compared to a SRW truck, but I sure love it for towing.
__________________
Brent
2013 Alpine 3500RE
2019 Silverado 2500HD Duramax
U.S. Air Force Retired (25 yrs)
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01-22-2017, 05:58 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Saginaw Mn
Posts: 1,732
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Here is my two cents worth. I have had many trailers and fifth wheels over the years and if you have towed with a single rear wheel and then tried a dually you would never go back to a single rear wheel. The two extra tires make a big difference for stability and payload. It would be a dually for me no question.
__________________
2012 Keystone Retreat 39 FDEN
99 Dodge One Ton Diesel Dually
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01-22-2017, 11:59 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Liberty, Texas
Posts: 5,034
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My 2014 F350 Diesel, SRW, Lariat, 4x4, CC, long bed, running boards, leather, and sprayed bedliner had a payload of 3267#.
I think Ford makes that truck at different GVW's. I don't remember what mine was.
My Montana HC was advertised at 2175# pin weight. I managed to add at least 1,200 to that, plus the hitch, generator, air compressor, firewood, etc.
Good thing Fords have a good trade-in value.
My Ram has a 12,300 GVW and payload of 4018#.
__________________
2018 Ram 3500 Laramie CC DRW LWB 4X4 Cummins Aisin 3.73
Reese Goosebox 20K
2018 Heartland Landmark 365 Oshkosh
2008 Bigfoot 25C9.4 LB Cabover
2023 CanAm Defender SXS
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01-22-2017, 01:58 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Las Cruces
Posts: 4,665
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gearhead
My 2014 F350 Diesel, SRW, Lariat, 4x4, CC, long bed, running boards, leather, and sprayed bedliner had a payload of 3267#.
I think Ford makes that truck at different GVW's. I don't remember what mine was.
My Montana HC was advertised at 2175# pin weight. I managed to add at least 1,200 to that, plus the hitch, generator, air compressor, firewood, etc.
Good thing Fords have a good trade-in value.
My Ram has a 12,300 GVW and payload of 4018#.
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That's about what I was thinking. 3,267 on a Lariat, so the 3,100ish that I was remembering for a Platinum is probably about right. Adding 1,000 lbs or more to the pin is not surprising either.
__________________
Brent
2013 Alpine 3500RE
2019 Silverado 2500HD Duramax
U.S. Air Force Retired (25 yrs)
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01-22-2017, 03:25 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Germantown, TN
Posts: 6,333
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Gearhead, the problem is you're still driving a Dodge. People can spot them coming for miles with the weird things they call mirrors hanging on the doors.
Now to be a little more serious, y'all are a bunch of spoil sports.....accurate, but spoil sports. Yes, this is indeed dually territory.
__________________
Jim in Memphis, Wife of 51 years is Brenda
2019 F450 6.7 Powerstroke
2018 Mobile Suites 40RSSA
2021 40' Jayco Eagle
2001 Road king w/matching Harley sidecar
2021 Yamaha X2 Wolverine 1000
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01-22-2017, 06:25 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Liberty, Texas
Posts: 5,034
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Quote:
Originally Posted by notanlines
Gearhead, the problem is you're still driving a Dodge. People can spot them coming for miles with the weird things they call mirrors hanging on the doors.
Now to be a little more serious, y'all are a bunch of spoil sports.....accurate, but spoil sports. Yes, this is indeed dually territory.
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I call them Hillbilly Mirrors. Kids around here that have a YETI sticker on the back window and nothing ever in or behind the truck, drive around with the mirrors out in Hillbilly position.
Yeah that's dually territory. If I went up any more I would be there too.
__________________
2018 Ram 3500 Laramie CC DRW LWB 4X4 Cummins Aisin 3.73
Reese Goosebox 20K
2018 Heartland Landmark 365 Oshkosh
2008 Bigfoot 25C9.4 LB Cabover
2023 CanAm Defender SXS
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01-22-2017, 06:36 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Las Cruces
Posts: 4,665
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I never really paid much attention to them, but my son pointed out that the majority of Ram owners drive around with them flipped out. So I started watching, yep, I'd say about 90% just leave the mirrors flipped for no apparent reason other than they want their truck to look like it has real mirrors like Ford and GM.
__________________
Brent
2013 Alpine 3500RE
2019 Silverado 2500HD Duramax
U.S. Air Force Retired (25 yrs)
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01-22-2017, 03:37 PM
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#20
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,353
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Had a '97 Jayco 323RKS. Towed it for years with a SRW. Bought a DRW in '08...night and day difference. DRW is the only way to go when your caught in less than favorable conditions.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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