DUALLY VS SRW Mileage and so on.............

[DRAGRAM]

I did several searches using keywords and tried searching title and nothing comes up.

I have never had a dually. Right now I have a 2021 3500 HO Aisin MegaCab short box SRW 4X4 with auto level rear air suspension. I am thinking about buying a 24 exactly the same, but a Dually. Likely the one I get will have 4.10's. So it will pull a lot harder in 6th gear because of the gear ratio and the shorter tires. I am looking forward to that. One reason I am looking at Duallies is because I want rear air suspension and I want to get a 24 and that opens up a LOT more available trucks too choose from. Rear Air suspension is not too prevalent on either version. The other thing driving me this way is because of the new InTech trailer I just bought. It is a 26' Tag that weighs about 11,500 pounds loaded. It tows just fine without any sway control etc. I like to keep it simple and this is working really well for me. But, the tongue weight is #1650 (loaded and unloaded), so with the current Truck I can really feel it now with that higher tongue weight and it is way more bouncy on big transitions in and out of driveways and where the interstate goes over bridges. I suspect a Dually will improve this situation quite a bit. Comments? Ideas?

I get really good mileage with the current truck. But my number is 65 on trips. Will the Dually be very much lower? The new trailer does eat more fuel compared to the 20' @ #9500 total 1300 TW setup I just came out of. About 1MPG worse.

The other things is, what drawbacks will a dually have? What might I not be thinking of? I know it will be harder to park when unhooked, but I do not park up front anyways. I know it will barely fit through toll booths etc, but I have to be on point because of the trailer width anyways. What about backing the trialer up? I am not expecting any big difference here. Other ideas? Experienced Guys please comment. I will be using the Ram as my Primary Vehicle and about 90% of that is towing that trailer. Literally.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Unless you’re really eager to buy a new truck, throw a set of airbags in it. Or you can get a single rear wheel with the air ride the dual rear wheels won’t change the feeling you feel much it just gives you more rear axle capacity.


Driving a Dually is not that big of a difference just watch your rear flares. The 4.10s willl go through quite a bit more fuel.

 

[AH64ID]

Aside from an axle-wrap prevention spring the 3500 SRW and DRW auto-level suspensions are the same, so they will handle the load the same.

The LWB on a DRW will help, but what you’re wanting to improve will likely not be as drastic as you think.

What size tires are you running? What tire pressure?

 

[DRAGRAM]

Aside from an axle-wrap prevention spring the 3500 SRW and DRW auto-level suspensions are the same, so they will handle the load the same.

The LWB on a DRW will help, but what you’re wanting to improve will likely not be as drastic as you think.

What size tires are you running? What tire pressure?

I am running the stock tire size LT275/70R18 and I always run 80 PSI. I put Michelins on it recently and they ride and handle much better. But that was before the trailer swap. I assumed the Duallies had a much higher payload capacity. I was thinking the tongue weight goes against payload and the dually would support it better.

 

[AH64ID]

DRW’s have a higher GVWR and RAWR so they can support more, but auto-level to auto-level there aren’t enough differences to make an appreciable difference with the weight you’re running.

 

[gprguy]

IMHO and if it were me, that's not enough weight to warrant a dually. If it's not handling quite like you'd prefer I'd look to do some upgrades to what you have - air bags, or even a rear air suspension (Kelderman) if you wanted, or weight distribution bars.. I'm all for duallys when needed, but if it isn't - a SRW is definitely more palatable day to day.

Also - nice trailer! We are extremely pleased with ours. They hadn't moved in to the new factory when we picked up our 2021 - it's an impressive looking building!

 

[Lerker]

If I were you, I'd stick to SRW. Daily driving a dually is more difficult, so unless it's required, don't. I don't think your weights require it, so my recommendation is to not go that way.

But for reference, I have a DRW with 4.10s and my mileage is:
*Unloaded daily driving on mostly country roads: 17.5mpg
*Bumper pulling a boat with total trailer weight at 7000lbs on the highway: 11.7mpg
*Fifth wheel RV weighing 22,500 on the highway: 8.5mpg

 

[HarryN]

Just a beginner, but when I looked at 2024 ram mega cab 2500 srw, 3500 srw, and 3500 srw
- The 2500 srw is available with air ride or leaf coil springs with auto level
- The 3500's used leaf springs only and had an auto level, but not air springs available.

I could not find on the configuration web sites or from talking to the dealer any way to get air ride 3500 srw or drw from the factory.

I did find this liquid spring after market supplier if you really want a smooth suspension.

Smart Suspension System for Trucks, RVs, Buses | LiquidSpring

LiquidSpring Smart Suspension delivers the smoothest ride available for large vehicles including RVs, overland trucks, emergency vehicles, and transit buses.

liquidspring.com

 

[AH64ID]

Just a beginner, but when I looked at 2024 ram mega cab 2500 srw, 3500 srw, and 3500 srw
- The 2500 srw is available with air ride or leaf springs with auto level
- The 3500's used leaf springs only and had an auto level, but not air springs available.

I could not find on the configuration web sites or from talking to the dealer any way to get air ride 3500 srw or drw from the factory.

I did find this liquid spring after market supplier if you really want a smooth suspension.

Smart Suspension System for Trucks, RVs, Buses | LiquidSpring

LiquidSpring Smart Suspension delivers the smoothest ride available for large vehicles including RVs, overland trucks, emergency vehicles, and transit buses.

liquidspring.com

2500’s don’t have leaf springs, they use either airbags or coil springs.

While the 3500 auto-level is a leaf spring with air assist it does ride better than most 2500’s and handles weight better that standard spring suspensions. It’s not something to shy away from just because it has leaf springs too. The main leaves are much softer than standard 3500 leaves.

 

[HarryN]

For that size trailer, I would be tempted to buy a truck with a wide track front axle, like are found on the 4500 and 5500.

The downside is that I could not find the megacab offered for the 4500 and 5500.

 

[gimmie11s]

For 11,500 loaded, you have the right truck. Will the dually be more "stable"? Sure, theoretically yes -- but would be hard to notice in practice with that light weight.

My DRW, OEM rear air, Megacab, HO, 4.10's on 35" tires gets about 16mpg these days unloaded combined.

Towing our loaded 14k lb 5er at 70mph gets about 8.5mpg. If I slow it down to 60-65 it'll do 9 or 9.5.

Problem is with 4.10's and the HO cummins, I can tow as fast as I want anywhere I want, up any hill I want lol. It's an absolute BEAST of a tow pig.

 

[Dave01]

My vote is for SRW as well, just don't think you need the dually for that setup.

No difference backing up a trailer. No particular driving difference in terms of technique. I do find that dually's feel more planted than single but given the choice I'd always want SRW unless I had a specific need for dually.

 

[AH64ID]

Find a set of OEM 20” takeoffs and see if you think it’s more stable.

I have both 18’s and 22’s for my ‘22 and prefer the 20’s all the time, aside from aired down for hunting season.

 

[DRAGRAM]

My vote is for SRW as well, just don't think you need the dually for that setup.

No difference backing up a trailer. No particular driving difference in terms of technique. I do find that dually's feel more planted than single but given the choice I'd always want SRW unless I had a specific need for dually.

I do not necessarily WANT a Dually really bad. I just figure it will, as you say, feel more planted and there are some crazy ups and downs on these freeways nowadays. With the extra tongue weight, I can really feel the trailer on the receiver more and I am worried about my Trailer's Hydraulic Tongue Jack foot dragging on these big whoop-de-doos. I am more interested in a Dually because I would rather over Truck my setup than not have enough, and they are way more available with the Auto Level rear Air suspension new on the lot right now. I am not talking about a high percentage. Just the few that are out there ARE Duallys.



I also want to see if any Dually Owners could produce that "aha moment" for me that would steer me away from one.



Even though this will be my daily driver, my lifestyle does not have me taking the truck to the mall etc. In fact my Truck will sit all week because I walk everywhere. Once in a while I will take the D170 if I need to maintenance drive it. But mostly that car just gets raced. Hence, the InTech.

 

[gimmie11s]

The a ha moment is if it's a daily driver, keep the SRW.

There is nothing I'd rather have when im towing than my DRW

There is nothing I'd rather not have while DD'ing more than my DRW

 

[DRAGRAM]

Find a set of OEM 20” takeoffs and see if you think it’s more stable.

I have both 18’s and 22’s for my ‘22 and prefer the 20’s all the time, aside from aired down for hunting season.

Interesting info. Thank you.

 

[DRAGRAM]

The a ha moment is if it's a daily driver, keep the SRW.

There is nothing I'd rather have when im towing than my DRW

There is nothing I'd rather not have while DD'ing more than my DRW

OK, I am talking about 2 Trucks configured the same except for the Dual rear wheels. Both Trucks would be magacab short box. This might be it based on what you are saying. Does the Dually have a larger turning radius? I assumed no.

 

[gprguy]

I feel like a weight distributing hitch might be the ticket for you, especially if you are towing 90% of the time - sounds like you don't unhook that often. If your trailer is compatible of course, I can't tell from the photo if you have the WD prep option.

Also don't be thinking the factory air is the end all be all. I had it on my 2018 and while it was nice how it was integrated, it was also troublesome. I had the main module fail, and like most factory things it just throws errors on the dash and stops working. Not ideal if you're counting on that to hold up your rear end. Aftermarket bags or suspension you can typically just bypass it with a few fittings on the side of the road, air it up at a gas station or a portable inflator and keep going.

 

[AH64ID]

OK, I am talking about 2 Trucks configured the same except for the Dual rear wheels. Both Trucks would be magacab short box. This might be it based on what you are saying. Does the Dually have a larger turning radius? I assumed no.

If you’re sticking with a MC then you really won’t feel much difference with that trailer. A CC LB would have some improvement, but that’s wheelbase related and not from the DRW.

 

[Pressure_welder]

I do not necessarily WANT a Dually really bad. I just figure it will, as you say, feel more planted and there are some crazy ups and downs on these freeways nowadays. With the extra tongue weight, I can really feel the trailer on the receiver more and I am worried about my Trailer's Hydraulic Tongue Jack foot dragging on these big whoop-de-doos. I am more interested in a Dually because I would rather over Truck my setup than not have enough, and they are way more available with the Auto Level rear Air suspension new on the lot right now. I am not talking about a high percentage. Just the few that are out there ARE Duallys.



I also want to see if any Dually Owners could produce that "aha moment" for me that would steer me away from one.



Even though this will be my daily driver, my lifestyle does not have me taking the truck to the mall etc. In fact my Truck will sit all week because I walk everywhere. Once in a while I will take the D170 if I need to maintenance drive it. But mostly that car just gets raced. Hence, the InTech.

So just my opinion, been driving exclusively duallies since 2010 and personally wouldn't be without. Right now i have a 22 5500 laramie for a welding rig and its awesome, but iam also looking at going back down to a 3500 DRW as towing requirements have changed. As was mentioned before i dont think you'll notice the benefits of a dually platform with that lower weight except for maybe in the wind. They certainly shine with the heavier weights once you get into fifth wheel/gooseneck territory. Our fifth wheel/boat combo was over 20,000lbs and i couldnt imagine hauling it with anything but a dually. Again personal opinion but once you hit that 14-15,000lb range i feel youve entered dually territory. I had a chance to use my father inlaws 22 - At4 3/4 ton to pull a 26ft enclosed gooseneck coming in just shy of 18,0000lbs on a 12 hr trip. The truck was clearly overloaded but it handled it well enough. I could however immediately notice the towing difference, tons of power in that L5P but it was certainly not as planted as my 5500. You almost have to drive both to feel the difference hard to explain.

if things like daily driving a dually, MPG, comfort are some things holding you back i wouldnt.... daily driving a dually is simple my rig is not small and i get into small parking lots no problem, mirrors and knowing your size is important. MPG...... well thats tough to compare on my 5500.... mpg is none existant lol another reason i am considering going back to a 3500 DRW is getting back into 3.73s vs 4.44s. But my last dually was a 2019 gmc denali dually and it would get 17-18 mpg best case which is not bad, comfort.... quite frankly my 3500 DRWs are smoother than my father inlaws short box 3/4 ton.

my moto is you only live once! may as well do it right...... if you want a dually go for it. I mean... dont buy one if its JUST going to be a grocery getter.... but if you tow giver. Not sure where youre located but in canada you will need an annual safety if you move into 3500 and up territory.... even some 3/4's need it now is gvw is over 10