[quote author=Eat Beef link=board=5;threadid=8748;start=0#84563 date=1040779869]
PistolWhipt,
I believe that rear wheel traction is less with duals than with singles. The smaller the surface area on the road, the more traction.
Andy
[/quote]

That one got beat around for quite awhile elsewhere.
It sounds logical, however it doesn't explain why a 3000+hp Top Fuel dragster runs a 2 foot wide slick instead of a couple of bicyle tires.
Duallys are hampered somewhat in less than ideal ie slick road surfaces because of reduced pounds per square inch loads due to 4 tires instead of 2.
But in dry conditions a little extra rubber on the road can help.

Flame suit on......

 

If you are going to be towing, I think the dually is the way to go. This is my second, I had a 3/4 ton SRW in between. The only time I don't love the dually is in tight parking lots, and when I have to buy tires ;D

 

Hey anyone know the answer to Stamey's question? Do you just have to license them in a higher weight class or what? I live in kansas and the laws are pretty flexible here. I need something to tow a 16k backhoe and dont want to go with a semi and none of the f-550s appeal to me. I know this would be putting a strain on it but they were built for it and I would not be pulling it very fast or very far and hey its kansas so no hills.<br>Thanks,<br>Mack

 

I think it depends on which state you're in. Also, in Texas, if you have farm truck plates, there are alot less limitations on what you can do. I used to pull 20K of feed 350 mi round trip, and never had a problem with the authorities.

 

I have a friend that drives 2500's and I have had two 2500's also. He drove my 3500 one day and commented on how much more stable the rear end was even empty. I have found out that the 4x4 3500 is basically worthless in snow and mud though. I am running the stock Michelin tires so that may have something to do with it. Had to use four wheel drive just to get the GN out of the yard last Saturday. The one snow storm I had it in was really bad even with 1400 pounds of John Deere wheel weights over the rear axle. Neons and Civics were passing me up and I was all over the road.<br>As far as what to get, it depends on what you will be doing the majority of the time. The 2500 has better traction in snow and I've seen plenty of them pulling pretty large trailers and campers. The 3500 is more stable on dry roads, to me anyway. I pull a 30 foot GN sometimes loaded to 26000. I have noticed since I installed the EZ that the rear will break loose on a wet road so got to drive accordingly.<br>Either truck will do what you want and both have a few advantages and disadvantages so it will probably balance out. Good luck in your choice.

 

I haven't had a SRW in about 10yrs all I've had have been dually's. If you haul a lot of weight they are the best. The only drawbacks are buying tires, some parking and when i owned 2x4 was getting stuck. With 4x4 i dont get stuck unless I do something real stupid it gives me an extra set of low gears. They will pick up a few more bumps in the road but it is a truck not a cadillac. As far as being slow i can whip a few SRW trucks off the line. they usaully have the same gearing their is not that much weight differ between the 2. If you haul alot of heavy things then get a dually if not then a 2500 will work great for you.

 

I like the cab&amp;chassis because they come with the 4-link (4wd) frontend, even the 2wd versions. Instead of having a pumpkin, it's got a straight piece of pipe. I guess they do this because it's more heavy-duty than the 2wd system? That gets the truck up higher, and that's good for some of the pasture roads we have here. The only problem is that I don't think you can get a quadcab cab and chassis.

 

Thanks for all the input y'all. I'll just keep watching the used truck market and see what I come accross. I do travel in snow and mud a good bit so maybe the 2500 would be better overall. We'll see. Thanks again.<br>Sincerely,<br>Chris 8)

 

The reason they run low air pressure is for the largest possible contact patch.

 

[quote author=Eat Beef link=board=5;threadid=8748;start=0#84563 date=1040779869]
PistolWhipt,
I believe that rear wheel traction is less with duals than with singles. The smaller the surface area on the road, the more traction.
Andy
[/quote]

OMG- arent the dually tires thinner than the single rear wheel tires?? therefore 4 tires that are thinner are going to have more traction than 2 tires that are WIDER cause thinner tires will dig down??
ive always been told that the thinner tires will work their way down to the solid stuff to make traction happen, instead of a wider tire riding on top of the snow.

its just my opinion, but it makes sense to me that 4 tires have more traction than 2

get that rail car out on the street in the rain and snow and see how much traction it gets

dont mud bogger trucks use real thin tires to dig down into the hard stuff?
and sand rails use wide tires to float on top of the sand so they dont get stuck?

 

I believe that traction is one reason that dual tires are only aired to 40 psi in each tire. This will IMHO increase the surface area and contact with the road. <br> <br> As one of my machinist instructors put it &quot; More surface area equals more friction... kinda like havin' more soldiers doing the work&quot;.<br><br>PISTOL

 

[quote author=PistolWhipt link=board=5;threadid=8748;start=15#85693 date=1041121635]<br>I believe that traction is one reason that dual tires are only aired to 40 psi in each tire. This will IMHO increase the surface area and contact with the road. <br> <br> As one of my machinist instructors put it &quot; More surface area equals more friction... kinda like havin' more soldiers doing the work&quot;.<br><br>PISTOL<br>[/quote]<br>ok, im confused?? are you talking about driving in the snow, or drag racing??? under a load or what???????????????????<br><br> cause both my trucks are set at 75 -90 psi all the time, and it just depends on the weather on what i need the tire pressure set to??<br> i would never deflate my radial tires to try and add traction, it would only wear out the outer edge of the tires

 

Duallys have great traction just load the bed with wet sand until the tires look half flat and you can bounce the front end with one finger.... <br><br>Ive gotten stuck on slick mud....but Ive also gone thru 18&quot; of snow<br><br>Its just common sence dont drive any truck that you cant control the traction of <br><br>Ive been stuck with my dually and Ive dug my old 4x4 furd into mud so deep it took a john deere to pull it out<br><br>But over all I prefer a dually its the top of the line of the PICKUPS<br><br>.

 

I concur. If you are going to be towing anything with any substantial weight, then get a dually. I can tell a world of difference towing my 28' tag along race car trailer. Before (with the 2500 CTD) when I passed a tractor/trailer on the interstate the trailer would start swaying back and forth. Then if the wind was blowing, the same thing. Now, with the 3500, it is night and day difference...thus if you're towing get a dually. <br><br>As for traction...dually is not the way to go. If there is some mud or anyother condition whereas extra traction is needed. It's not the same as the 2500. I think the 2500 was more suited...note: both were 4x4 trucks.<br><br>That's my .02 cents worth....