other than maybe one leaf spring on the 06 or 07 models

 

The dually has overload springs. So does the 3500 SRW. The dually does have bigger disk brake pistons on the rear axle (51mm vs 45mm) than does the 3500 SRW. The 2500 SRW is identical to the 3500 SRW except for the overload springs on the rear and the rating stickers on the door.

 

DRW has much larger, reinforced rear diff. housing.

 

"DRW has much larger, reinforced rear diff. housing."

First I heard of there being any differences in the rear axles other than the width of the housing and the length of the axle shafts themselves, except on earlier generations when some of the 2500's had Dana 70's or hybrid Dana 80's with 70 axle ends. Not saying it isn't so, as I'm not certain. Any others care to chime in?

 

He's right. Duallies have a larger housing. The guts of the axle are the same though.

 

The axle is wider as well. The width from wms to wms is about 3" wider on a dually axle.

 

1000lbs capacity difference.... that's it, and it because of the extra wheel and overload. My neighbor has a 07 DRW and I pulled my SRW up next to his to compare the two. There's no difference in the size of the housing at all. They're the same axle.

 

I service the axles on my son's 06 DRW and I can't tell the difference between his and my 2500's differential. Also, same amount of oil.

Pete

 

The diffs are identical.
Joe

 

An extra set of wheels, I would consider that a "real" difference.

 

The stability, load carrying and braking ability when towing heavy is the main difference. There is an S corner near my place where I drop the srw's everytime... I can do it at 70mph flat as a pancake...over 60mph they are on the lawn trying to gain control. Rutted highways from heavy rigs...I go straight....srw's wobble all over the place. There is a sharp 90 bend that is banked on the way to my place from the city... I've done it at 100mph and I've never been able to go over 75 in any of my SRW's. Training wheels rock. ks

 

I love that real world testing and I've noticed the same thing only not quite as fast! The drw corners FLAT! It scares me a little cuz if it ever brakes loose, it might be all over - there's no roll to give warning! Craig

 

I agree here 100%. My 34 foot toyhauler TT can't move this truck in wind, over rough roads, or by passing trucks. It's all about stability for me.

 

Yep, you guys are correct. The DRW is more stable hauling loads, specially TT's. They don't sway as easy and are not effected "as much" by a swaying trailor (wish I had one on Hwy 10 running through Texas earlier this year with some nasty wind). The other big difference is obviously the extra two wheels which in case of a blow out while towing is a much safer deal. The trade off is that the DRW trucks are heavier than a single axle truck. My buddies DRW has me by 800lbs. Not sure where 800lbs comes from (it's just two extra wheels and some fenders along with a 2ft longer bed) but it's that much more to haul around. I even think in the manual the GCVW is 800lbs difference (less for the dually vs. the single rear axle). Odd, but it makes perfect sence considering everything else is the same?

Joe