3500 - SRW VS. DRW

[sheriffav8r]

If you spec out the newer 3500 SRW vs the DRW you will be surprised at how little difference in pulling/weights there is. I have a Dodge '11 3500 SRW 4x4 Crew Cab. It's got a 51 gallon aux tank and over the scales it sits at about 9K#. I've recently pulled an 8.5x20 trailer worth about 10,000# and the truck didn't even know it. These newer trucks are heads and shoulders better than trucks from even a few years ago....

 

[JIGBUILDER]

The '11 3500 DRW Dodge/Cummins specs out at 22700 lb tow rating and has those big 9350 RAWR for carrying those big payloads.

The 3500 SRW has those wimpy 6500 lb RAWR with only a 17XXX lb tow rating.

Granted the newer gen trucks are hands down better at pulling and hauling than earlier models.

 

[powerstroke444e]

I have had srw trucks and after buying my 1st drw truck only thing I use for work/pulling are drw trucks. I have 2 right now a 3500 dodge 2004 and a 1997 f450. I have itch for a new ford but the price has kept me from pulling the trigger. With the loads your pulling drw all the way.

For those who say dwr don't go in snow or mud if its 2wd you need to add weight and they do as well as any heavy rwd vehicle.

 

[slowzuki]

The jerk comes from the trailer, it will happen to a dually too as the frame/box etc don't weight much more. When you have proper pin weight, when the trailer hits bumps the force gets split between the trailer axles and pin. Force = mass x acceleration, so since the force is the same you can either try to increase the mass of your truck (semi?) or let it accelerate on a suspension hitch without jerking your truck as hard.

I've looked at these and the seem like they would help. However i have already spend almost $2000 on a 7 year old truck to try and get it to stop jerking. I hate to throw another $700-$1000 for a cushioned hitch. I would rather have put all that money towards a new(er) truck that doesn't need all the "stuff" to make it tow properly. Seems like in the last few years, they have really beefed up the HD trucks from all the manufactures. We'll see. I am starting to see a trend, that duallies are for towing only. If you get into snow,mud,etc... the duallies can be a real liability.

Thanks
Chris

 

[Soundguy]

I am close to overloading the rear axle weight rating on the truck. I am looking to upgrade to a 1 ton model. I only put about 3000 miles a summer on with the trailer and 500-1000 during the remainder of the year. (mostly when we travel and snow is a possiblity).

I would like to stick with the SRW 3500 due to gargae/parking lot issues. However if the DRW will improve the ride drastically over the SRW, I would consider going that route. I'm hoping either will improve the ride over my '05 3/4 HD. Also wish GM made a 1 ton SRW Crew Cab short bed or ideally, a 1 ton SRW or DRW Creb cab - extended cab truck with a shorty bed. I haul 2 carseats, 3 adults and 1 dog everywhere. We completly fill up a crew cab with diaper bags and peoople..

Any thoughts on SRW vs. DRW?

Thanks

i used to pull a trailer with a half ton and occasionally a 3/4 ton. I now won't hitch a trailer to anything other than my 1t or 1.5t drw setup.

so much better feel.. you have to intentionally overlaod and load the trailer wrong to feel any negative issues.. etc.

night and day difference between towing ( stability ) with a drw over srw.

I also was always near overlaoding my axle rating.. and when you are near limits and bad things happen.. you get bad results. get an over-rated tow vehicle and tow under it's limits and be happy. yeah.. parking is a lil more work.. but IMHO.. it's worth it.

 

[flyingcow]

Following this thread. I have a 2006 3500 CC8ft bed SRW. I just started pulling my TN75 with bushhog. Once i found the sweet spot on where to place tractor on the 26ft GN deckover, it's seems to limit the hammering from trailer. Still there but not as bad. Also, I put about 40/50lbs in the air bags and seems to help a lot. I basically load tractor on and roll ahead on deck until truck starts settle a little.

Pic of loaded truck. i was kinda disapointed with the hammering, never hauled a combination like this. Handles great, but rough roads it's a bit rougher than i thought.

Any thoughts?

http://www.uscconlinealbum.com/life...1ea-86c8-4159-852b-cd1e541a1b61?th=450&tw=610

 

[case245]

they dont a have one a 84'' ca that thing gets stuck in an inch of mud or snow it 2wd 4wd aint no better

 

[sheriffav8r]

Here's the specs for my truck:
3500 4x4 CC 8' Bed Auto 4.10 gears Laramie:
SRW: GVW 10,100, Payload 2,600, GCWR 24,000, Gross Trailer 16,350, front axle 5,500 rear axle 6,200

DRW: GVW 12,300, Payload 4,430, GCWR 28,000, Gross Trailer 19,550. front axle 5,500 rear axle 9,350
Differences, but not huge in my opinion. These SRW numbers are loads better than in years past. For example, a 2001 3500 DRW GVW is 11,000 with a 4,850 front axle and 7,500 rear axle. Nothing like technology....

 

[Soundguy]

4.1 gears on both right?

 

[sheriffav8r]

Yes, 4.10....