walker79

guys im looking for some feedback on the 2011 3500 drw 4x4 vs srw. i have a 2006 3500 srw 4x4 and i love it, but the kids are growing and i need more room in the back seat. my truck has the overlaods in the rear and it doesnt look like the 2011 srw has them. i tow a 36ft fith wheel that is 12,500 lbs which one am i better off getting into the srw or drw ? also have you guys had any issues with these new trucks?

Busboy

There are many opinions about how much a single rear wheel truck can CARRY and lets face it these trucks have so much power they can TOW almost anything even twice the legal limit and they can also CARRY twice the legal limit, which comes in around 2100lbs, 8000lbs for the truck, hitch and stuff. GVWR for the short box 4X4 is 10100lbs. So there you have it the key word is legal, it's your choice, I personally didn't buy a dually as they are a pain to drive in the city. Problems?? living in Texas I wouldn't think you would have the problems we have in colder areas.

Jim W

I have attached the Ram (Dodge) Body Builders Guide for you to look over. In the Technical Information page there is a heading listed as Base Weights/GCVW/Payload/Trailer Tow. Click on this and this will provide all of the information you will need to make an informed decision on what truck to buy.
I have listed the Crew Cab as a reference but they still offer the Mega Cab too.
http://www.rambodybuilder.com/2011/r.../ramcrewmo.pdf

Jim W.

SOhappy

The crew cab is definitely a big plus on the 4th gens. My kids out grew the quad cab too, my #1 reason for selling the '03. I don't thing you'll be disappointed either way, pluses and minus for both the DRW and SRW. Besides, when's the last time anyone had a 10-ply E-rated tire blow on the interstate? Pretty durn rare...

Blake Clark

Well, my 2011 is the first DRW I have owned.


Never will I go back to a SRW truck, unless I have a 1500 for a run around truck. Towing with a Dually is such a better experience, it really out weighs the small negatives in my book.

1. Car washes. I dont even bother with em, I wash my truck by hand Thank You.
2. Banks. This one sucks.I just get down.
3. Parking lots. I park in the back anyway. Dont want any more door dings than necessary.

Blessed

Walker79,
I undrstand your situation--I was just there. The "trend" the days seems to be that people pull big 5th wheels with SRW. Before buying my 2010 DRW, I borrowed my friends 2008 Duramax 2500HD Crew Cab Short Bed 4 WD one saturday morning and pulled my 36foot 5th wheel for about 20 miles as a "test run". The D-Max actually did a good job and drove well empty. It will certain out run a Dodge empty. If you floor the gas pedal on a 2008 and later D-Max--they are fast!
Regardless, I still chose to go with a 2010 Dodge DRW. I was concerned about a "Panic situation" in a 2500 pulling my RV. A DRW is more cumbersome than a SRW--it is still worth it to me. I CAN drive thru my bank drive thru--got about 1" on each side of rear tires...

juicedcummins

I switched my 05 out to a 12 aprox 5k ago. All of this 5k has been towing including through the rockies and even some double towing on another trip. The 12's do not have overloads but handle the weight better than the 05. Same 35ft fiver on both trucks and the 05 was just over an inch off the rubbers on the axles. The 12 did not even squat and the ride is something you would have to experience to believe. No more kick.
Both of these trucks are SRW"s and there is no need for a Dually in my world even grossing out over 23k.

Wobblin-Goblin

I hear you and agree with you to a point, but if you're towing gooseneck or fiver a SRW isn't a slouch at all. Some of the loads I've towed with my SRW F-350 are quite impressive, so much so that I won't bother incriminating myself here.



Having said that, there is added confidence when towing with a DRW.

Blake Clark

No doubt. Ive seen my uncle haul loads with a 2500 that would make most people pale....

I just always liked a truck with hips. Now that Ive used one, I love it.

Fordzilla

I confess, I'm not a very good driver...I need the training wheels so I don't turn over......Ben

Blake Clark

You got that right.

Everyone says that city driving with the dually is a pain. Im currently scattered between Baytown all the way down to Manvel. Camper is parked in Dickinson. Im driving more city than ever before. Pulled my camper down Nasa 1 the other day. City driving with the dually is a non issue in my book. The hips become second nature and you just drive it.

G1625S

I agree with this My little car trailer grossing less than 5k would wag my 2500 all over the place if not loaded just right, but hook up the gooseneck with 10k on the deck and it pulled like a dream. Still prefer a dually myself.