hello guys
I cant believe I fount this forum
thank you all for maintaining this precious forum
I am about to go for the RAM 3500
I almost put the first down today but I couldn't make my mind
whether to go with the dually's or single rear
my main purpose is to be able to use the bed for carrying my quad
on weekends to the local track
and on long weekend I plan to haul my adrenaline 314 FS TT toy hauler
35.4 ft long 8.6 ft width, base weights 8120 GVWR 14000
I'm not planning to haul a fifth wheel trailer at any time
as this will place a fifth wheel hitch on my bed
and will disable my ability to haul my quad on the bed which I don't want to lose
anyone can shade some light for me on this matter
I read through the forum earlier posts and found some pro's and con's
mostly pro going with the dually
most people were referring to the look of the truck with the dually's
and not much about actual usage benefit
do they have any real benefit if I don't intend to tow a fifth wheel type trailer
I don't care much for the 6 tires replacement when its time,
or the drive through issue nor the distant parking in the mall
what I do want to find out is do they give me any added value
in other situations then towing a fifth wheel
I was told also that the dually's will make the ride bumpier if its not towing
is there a major differences between the single and the dually
when at a high speed not towing?
and in my case a high speed when towing a tow hitch trailer and not a fifth wheel trailer?
is there any added stability or is it the same when towing a regular tow hitch trailer?

TIA

 

I think the dually will give better stability while towing or hauling anything. pluss you have a higher gvw rating. The duallies are more cumbersom for parking and drive thru's. The real point is that when you want to haul a large load or trailer, you can do it without worry and not have the problems of instability srw's have. The fuel economy is prety good to begin with. The gear ratio has more effect on economy than the dually/srw issue. I use my truck for daily driving and hauling just about anything I want. So far it's the best overall truck I have ever had.

 

If you need a real trk other then class 8 you need a dually. Never herd anyone say wish I bought a smaller trk..........Always the other way around

 

Single rear wheel with 19.5's (high pressure high load wheels/tires) is awesome IMO. Also you can get a fifth wheel hitch that is removable so you still have your bed when you're not towing the trailer. Fifth wheel trailers tow 100% better than a tag trailer.

 

Dual wheels will give you a slight weight advantage but not worth the extra rubber on the road. Duals are the first to lose traction on snow or wet roads because of the extra surface area. Duals are slightly better towing tag a longs but not much improvement with a 5th wheel. I DON'T WANT NO PREGNANT TRUCK. I've been towing a 5th wheel coast to coast for 15 yrs with SRW and have not had the first problem. I've seen a few dualies that were blown off the road on I-80 when there was a little ice. Cashier at the truck stop said thats normal.

Phil

 

Go with the Dually and have them put an turnover ball hitch in the bed, which will allow you to still pull a 5vr. http://turnoverball.com/index.htm
As others have said and I have also, you will NOT regret getting the dually but you will regret NOT getting it later. I too am in the same state and wish I had gotten the DUALLY
I'll have to wait now until the DC Contractor special comes out with the built in 5kw generator and 6 speed auto

 

Pro's,

1- Increased payload

2- Increased stability, even driving empty (like having training wheels )

3- You've got literaly two extra spare tires in a pinch

4- Resale value is higher

5- Just plain bad!

Cons,

1- Extra cost of tire replacement

2- Forget about automatic car washes

3- Parking can be interesting

4- Better have a big garage (door)

5- Toll roads (some states really rape you for those extra two wheels)

 

For what you want to do, SRW is fine. Go for a long bed however for the extra wheelbase. By the way, the Dodge is rated at 12,000 for a tag along style trailer.

 

wow thank you guys
I didn't expect this response so fast
the turnover ball makes it perfect for a fifth wheel and
now this changes everything
my quad can park on the bed right over the ball, perfect
does anyone actually use the turnover ball and can comment first and on it?
I was going to go with the short bed since I am only going to haul my quad there
do I have to use the long bed in order to use a fifth wheel trailer?

 

With a dually if the driver has some experience, you will benefit far more then what the down side may be.
I have owned 25 Ram Duallys since 90' and miled out most of them with over 250,000 miles towing heavy. A friend in the hauling business swore by the 2500 ram non dually until he had a blow out on the rear.
Out of all my dually trucks the last three where the only 4x4's. I live in a climate that gives me snow/ice and rain as well as sand and that had no bearing on me buying a 4x4. I chose to buy the 4x4's now due to the resale later in my area.

Once I decided to get a dually I realized there was a few trade offs. I needed more space for the new trailer then the truck but I also needed a bigger garage and eventually a shop.

I never once was stuck on the side of the road with a blown rear tire on the truck but I had to have 6 tires.

You will determine what is best for you by exactly what you are doing here...research.



Theres not too many Class 8 trucks in non dual configuration, or in 4x4 mode.

When I rode in my buddies 2500 towing it felt like we were swaying far more then in a dually.

This site will give you some insight you would not have if just shopping without the internet.

You can maneuver a trailer in 5th wheel or gooseneck configuration more easily then a tag.

Welcome!

Scotty

 

They offer serious benefits if you ever want a cab-over camper as well.

 

IMO the only cons are the extra $$ for tires and the slight loss of traction on the rear.
As for the parking thing....come on, get real, if you can't park buy an Aspire.
I prefer dually for ANY type of towing. I haul trailers quite often and can tell you there is a world of difference from single to dual in stability.
AND as for car washes, I haven't found one yet in my area that I can't fit through. Sure they are **** close, but it fits without a problem.


JUST GET THE DUALLY

 

The cost of tires should not be a concern, you should get more than twice the mileage from four instead of tww. Mine were 25,000 for single wheels, 60,000 for duals, and over 100,000 for Michelen Ribs.

 

I towed a 28 ft alfa toy house with 2 quads with a srw it was very nervous with a dually it towed great.

 

Just my $00.02, I had a 2500 03, moved up to a 3500 04, CTD, QC, SB, SRW. Handles the 35' Titanium 5th real well. No sway or other issues, sometimes forget its back there. Yes, wish I'd have gone with the Hidden hitch. I will next time, but the way these CTD last it could be a long time away.
Another issue on the DRW, here in Connecticut the truck requires Commercial plates: = higher Registration, higher insurance and other issues. Not so for the SRW.
Also some of the places I hunt make for tight passage, DRW's where out.
Army