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Keep SRW or Get DRW

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ramnut

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Hey Guys,

Background: I currently have a 2025 Limited 3500 SRW Short Bed, and we own a 35’ Alpine 3011CK (max load at 15,000 lbs). We are not full timers now, but are possibly considering it for a year or two in the future and renting out our home. So looking at options in the 5th wheel space that we could potentially live in as I work from home (need a separate office). We went and looked at a Brinkley Z3515 (dry 13,989 lbs, hitch weight 2607 lbs, carrying capacity 3506 lbs, max trailer weight 17495 lbs, 20% loaded hitch weight 3499 lbs).

I know with our current truck and trailer we are pushing the payload at a fully loaded configuration 15,000 lbs / 3k hitch weight, but for now we are just using it 2-3 times a year and very lightly loaded with minimal things so I know we are not close to this number. I also want to get a 52 gallon fuel tank from Titan which will also not help my current payload condition. I tow out of Oregon and the roads suck near the coast, and our last trip it felt like the truck was getting tossed around a lot on the uneven terrain, corners, and potholes in the road. On smooth surface and straight stretches it was easy mode.

My wife and I really enjoyed our time out in our 5th wheel this last trip, and want to start doing it more, and like previously mentioned, possibly live in one. However, I don’t want to be white knuckling it or just knowing I am not in a legal setup.

I am considering going to a DRW setup and would most likely go with a loaded Laramie 2025 Long Bed with the 50 gallon fuel tank. My last kid is about to finish high school, and will allow us more freedom to stay places longer and more frequently. I don’t tow a lot, but have a lot of time behind the wheel of tow rigs over the last 10 years (mainly SRW 2550/3500 SB and LB), but never a DRW. I would still need to use it to commute to work half the time (1 hour round trip - all highway). I am comfortable with parking big trucks so not really worried too much about that either. I don’t want to have to keep swapping trucks as our future trailer plans change. This is the biggest “driving” factor (pun intended) for making the jump to DRW now.

With all things considered, does the DRW make sense now or send it with the current SRW and deal with it? I’ll attach my payload sticker. Thanks.
 

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Since you won't be moving to a heavier fifth wheel for a couple of years, I would wait until you in fact do move. Things can change between now and then and what you have now appears to be doing the job. Also that new transmission will have a couple of years of history by the time you go heavier. You will have plenty of insight into the transmission since you currently have one. I never trust early production units. I decided to wait unti 2021 instead of buying in 2019 for that reason and I don't regret that decision.
 
Thanks for the help guys. The plan is to purchase the Brinkley within the next 9 months as we want to replace our current trailer for RV’ing anyways regardless if we full time in it or not. Does that change anything from your opinions?

I should also mention the poor handling on those types of roads from the coast might be due to using a gen y 5” offset since we are in a short bed, but need it with our Reese Goosebox.
 
I hate driving my dually unloaded around town, which is honestly most of the driving it does. 21,000 miles on the odometer of which 8,000 is towing. You pull the rig to your destination, then spend all your time unhooked and exploring or whatever.

The DRW long bed is just so stinking big.... turns for s*&t... worse fuel economy.... the only thing it does better is tow.

So I recommend you don't go to dually unless you absolutely have to. Not to mention the new Rams are still practically brand new and going through their growing pains which presumably will be taken care of in a year or two.
 
I don't mine the size of my dually and it is my grocery getter 6 months of every year. Of course with my trailer, anything other than a dually was not an option and 65% of my miles is towing the fifth wheel. So if you are looking at 9 months to move to the bigger fifth wheel, that does compress the time. You are definitely in dually territory with the Brinkley, even if you won't be towing it a lot initially. Depending how fussy you are in terms of configuration you can look at a custom order now or wait for the trailer and get something off the lot. 9 months is not a long time so start doing the research now in terms of how you want the truck equipped. At a minimum you will want the max tow package, trailer TPMS, 50 gallon tank etc. Good luck.
 
ramnut said:
Hey Guys,

Background: I currently have a 2025 Limited 3500 SRW Short Bed, and we own a 35’ Alpine 3011CK (max load at 15,000 lbs). We are not full timers now, but are possibly considering it for a year or two in the future and renting out our home. So looking at options in the 5th wheel space that we could potentially live in as I work from home (need a separate office). We went and looked at a Brinkley Z3515 (dry 13,989 lbs, hitch weight 2607 lbs, carrying capacity 3506 lbs, max trailer weight 17495 lbs, 20% loaded hitch weight 3499 lbs).

I know with our current truck and trailer we are pushing the payload at a fully loaded configuration 15,000 lbs / 3k hitch weight, but for now we are just using it 2-3 times a year and very lightly loaded with minimal things so I know we are not close to this number. I also want to get a 52 gallon fuel tank from Titan which will also not help my current payload condition. I tow out of Oregon and the roads suck near the coast, and our last trip it felt like the truck was getting tossed around a lot on the uneven terrain, corners, and potholes in the road. On smooth surface and straight stretches it was easy mode.

My wife and I really enjoyed our time out in our 5th wheel this last trip, and want to start doing it more, and like previously mentioned, possibly live in one. However, I don’t want to be white knuckling it or just knowing I am not in a legal setup.

I am considering going to a DRW setup and would most likely go with a loaded Laramie 2025 Long Bed with the 50 gallon fuel tank. My last kid is about to finish high school, and will allow us more freedom to stay places longer and more frequently. I don’t tow a lot, but have a lot of time behind the wheel of tow rigs over the last 10 years (mainly SRW 2550/3500 SB and LB), but never a DRW. I would still need to use it to commute to work half the time (1 hour round trip - all highway). I am comfortable with parking big trucks so not really worried too much about that either. I don’t want to have to keep swapping trucks as our future trailer plans change. This is the biggest “driving” factor (pun intended) for making the jump to DRW now.

With all things considered, does the DRW make sense now or send it with the current SRW and deal with it? I’ll attach my payload sticker. Thanks.
Click to expand...
We are in an almost identical situation with regard to weight. We have a Grand Design Solitude 380FL with a GVWR of 18,000 lbs. We travel for 4-6 months, so essentially with a full-time load. The 5ver is right at 18,000 loaded and the pin is almost exactly at 20% of load at 3,600. We are a bit under the GVWR of our dually shortbed. You will need a dually for the Brinkley. In all of our towing on all kinds of roads and weather conditions, we have never felt the RV waging the dog (truck). The extra width and resulting roll stability of the dually wheels makes all the difference.

I will add my opinion. Unless there is something particular you need to carry in the truck, you don’t need a long bed. You can add a 52 gallon tank (Titan or S&B) to the short bed with no issues, so the bigger tank is not a reason to deal with a long bed. I carry another 10 gallons in the truck bed for emergencies. (I’ve never HAD to use it). Get a slider hitch for cab and tailgate clearance. We have a Pullrite Slider. Long RVs are hard to maneuver in tight spaces. The long bed will make that worse. Also, the extra 16” adds to parking issues. Our garage door clears the truck by 1/4 inches. A long bed will not fit in 95% (99.9???) of garages.
 
ramnut said:
Hey Guys,

Background: I currently have a 2025 Limited 3500 SRW Short Bed, and we own a 35’ Alpine 3011CK (max load at 15,000 lbs). We are not full timers now, but are possibly considering it for a year or two in the future and renting out our home. So looking at options in the 5th wheel space that we could potentially live in as I work from home (need a separate office). We went and looked at a Brinkley Z3515 (dry 13,989 lbs, hitch weight 2607 lbs, carrying capacity 3506 lbs, max trailer weight 17495 lbs, 20% loaded hitch weight 3499 lbs).

I know with our current truck and trailer we are pushing the payload at a fully loaded configuration 15,000 lbs / 3k hitch weight, but for now we are just using it 2-3 times a year and very lightly loaded with minimal things so I know we are not close to this number. I also want to get a 52 gallon fuel tank from Titan which will also not help my current payload condition. I tow out of Oregon and the roads suck near the coast, and our last trip it felt like the truck was getting tossed around a lot on the uneven terrain, corners, and potholes in the road. On smooth surface and straight stretches it was easy mode.

My wife and I really enjoyed our time out in our 5th wheel this last trip, and want to start doing it more, and like previously mentioned, possibly live in one. However, I don’t want to be white knuckling it or just knowing I am not in a legal setup.

I am considering going to a DRW setup and would most likely go with a loaded Laramie 2025 Long Bed with the 50 gallon fuel tank. My last kid is about to finish high school, and will allow us more freedom to stay places longer and more frequently. I don’t tow a lot, but have a lot of time behind the wheel of tow rigs over the last 10 years (mainly SRW 2550/3500 SB and LB), but never a DRW. I would still need to use it to commute to work half the time (1 hour round trip - all highway). I am comfortable with parking big trucks so not really worried too much about that either. I don’t want to have to keep swapping trucks as our future trailer plans change. This is the biggest “driving” factor (pun intended) for making the jump to DRW now.

With all things considered, does the DRW make sense now or send it with the current SRW and deal with it? I’ll attach my payload sticker. Thanks.
Click to expand...
I'd wait and agree with the above comments... New platform growing pains etc.
I'd consider the titan 50 gal and adding bags(assuming you don't have them) as they are relatively low cost while addressing/helping with your concerns.
I'm NOT implying that bags address a payload concern with the future trailer(calm down keyboard warriors) ... Simply that they are helpful with adding lateral stability when towing and can be aired down when not to save on the kidneys on your commute.
IMHO DRW is really only "required" when:
1) Payload makes it a requirement.
2) If you're hooked up the vast majority of time

Your current rig sounds like it meets your needs and can be supplemented with cost effective mods instead of a global change to DRW which will come with unavoidable "downsides", but to be fair, most of which are subjective.
 
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It might make sense to look at a 4500 size with the wide track front end.

RAM version is cabin and chassis, Ford makes an interesting option.

GM version has easy engine maintenance access, but it pretty heavy duty.
 
I'd get the Dually. You can order a 26 right now. I had a post up wondering if I should go Dually or not and I am at 11,500 Tag Trailer. I will NEVER go back to a SRW unless I literally have to. As long as I have room it's a Dually for me. As far as Driving it, I can hardly think of any situation where I am cutting it that close. I also do not mind daily driving it at all. It's just your mind set. If you know you have a Dually and you are willing to be inconvinienced a little going to the mall etc, then it is TOTALLY worth it at all other times. It's so much more capable it is worth it to me.
 
I guess I am in the middle here. I have a '21 Ram Laramie long bed SRW, SO Cummins and 50 Gal fuel tank and air ride. I pull a '21 Jayco Pinnacle 36FBTS with it, Gross weight is 16.5K but we are somewhere under that as we are fairly light travelers. If anyone is wondering I have not had it weighed. It pulls like a dream, just got back from Myrtle beach yesterday and 11.4MPG, not bad. The 50 Gal built in tank beats any aftermarket or carrying extra fuel in tanks. Pulling the camper I can go 500 miles which is far more than we and our puppies can stand, unloaded almost 1000 miles.. I have yet to have to refuel while pulling the camper. Having said all that, we are in a fairly similar situation to the OP. We plan on selling our home soon and building again. With the economy as it is, real estate speaking, we may have to live in the camper while building. Also, my wife has fallen in love with a Mobile Suite 5th wheel, God help me. It is 45-46 feet long and over 22K gross weight. As much as I hate to do this, I ordered a '25 Laramie much like my current truck, but Dually rear wheels. Yes, I jumped the gun as who knows when the farm will sell. I guess I wanted this beast, now to learn how to drive it. The tracker shows it built on the 18th, now waiting on delivery. Interestingly enough, the SRW truck has the capacity to pull that beast, yes I understand it would be pushing it to the limit, but I have been very impressed with my truck. From Ford F-250's, 2 of them, to multiple Ram 1/2 tons, this one is by far my favorite. The long bed has seldom been an issue, except parking sometimes, and I never have to worry about hitting the cab. I know little about other hitches as I use the Andersen Ultimate hitch. Bring on the haters, but 4 years of towing with it, wonderful smooth ride, and when not in use, off the truck in 5 minutes. To the OP, we opted back in '21 for the Laramie long bed, as it gave me a better payload, not to mention the bigger fuel tank. The limited also has all the goodies that also take away payload. I, like you was worried about being legal so hedging my bets. Mine has a 3963 pounds payload
 
jetlag said:
I guess I am in the middle here. I have a '21 Ram Laramie long bed SRW, SO Cummins and 50 Gal fuel tank and air ride. I pull a '21 Jayco Pinnacle 36FBTS with it, Gross weight is 16.5K but we are somewhere under that as we are fairly light travelers. If anyone is wondering I have not had it weighed. It pulls like a dream, just got back from Myrtle beach yesterday and 11.4MPG, not bad. The 50 Gal built in tank beats any aftermarket or carrying extra fuel in tanks. Pulling the camper I can go 500 miles which is far more than we and our puppies can stand, unloaded almost 1000 miles.. I have yet to have to refuel while pulling the camper. Having said all that, we are in a fairly similar situation to the OP. We plan on selling our home soon and building again. With the economy as it is, real estate speaking, we may have to live in the camper while building. Also, my wife has fallen in love with a Mobile Suite 5th wheel, God help me. It is 45-46 feet long and over 22K gross weight. As much as I hate to do this, I ordered a '25 Laramie much like my current truck, but Dually rear wheels. Yes, I jumped the gun as who knows when the farm will sell. I guess I wanted this beast, now to learn how to drive it. The tracker shows it built on the 18th, now waiting on delivery. Interestingly enough, the SRW truck has the capacity to pull that beast, yes I understand it would be pushing it to the limit, but I have been very impressed with my truck. From Ford F-250's, 2 of them, to multiple Ram 1/2 tons, this one is by far my favorite. The long bed has seldom been an issue, except parking sometimes, and I never have to worry about hitting the cab. I know little about other hitches as I use the Andersen Ultimate hitch. Bring on the haters, but 4 years of towing with it, wonderful smooth ride, and when not in use, off the truck in 5 minutes. To the OP, we opted back in '21 for the Laramie long bed, as it gave me a better payload, not to mention the bigger fuel tank. The limited also has all the goodies that also take away payload. I, like you was worried about being legal so hedging my bets. Mine has a 3963 pounds payload
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I used to own a Mobile Suite. It was great! We lived in it while working through the insurance details after our house fire, and also while remodeling the house we bought. It is a great rv as long as you do not move it much. I went through three different set of wheel bearings on the driver side rear wheel. I would suggest doing everything you can to get the rig level. I would also avoid tight turns. That particular wheel took a bit more stress when I parked it at home. If I go high-end like a mobile suite, I like the Luxe Elegante. The price is painfull though. The Elegante is lower weight and not super long. All aluminum construction of walls and roof.
 
ramnut said:
Hey Guys,

Background: I currently have a 2025 Limited 3500 SRW Short Bed, and we own a 35’ Alpine 3011CK (max load at 15,000 lbs). We are not full timers now, but are possibly considering it for a year or two in the future and renting out our home. So looking at options in the 5th wheel space that we could potentially live in as I work from home (need a separate office). We went and looked at a Brinkley Z3515 (dry 13,989 lbs, hitch weight 2607 lbs, carrying capacity 3506 lbs, max trailer weight 17495 lbs, 20% loaded hitch weight 3499 lbs).

I know with our current truck and trailer we are pushing the payload at a fully loaded configuration 15,000 lbs / 3k hitch weight, but for now we are just using it 2-3 times a year and very lightly loaded with minimal things so I know we are not close to this number. I also want to get a 52 gallon fuel tank from Titan which will also not help my current payload condition. I tow out of Oregon and the roads suck near the coast, and our last trip it felt like the truck was getting tossed around a lot on the uneven terrain, corners, and potholes in the road. On smooth surface and straight stretches it was easy mode.

My wife and I really enjoyed our time out in our 5th wheel this last trip, and want to start doing it more, and like previously mentioned, possibly live in one. However, I don’t want to be white knuckling it or just knowing I am not in a legal setup.

I am considering going to a DRW setup and would most likely go with a loaded Laramie 2025 Long Bed with the 50 gallon fuel tank. My last kid is about to finish high school, and will allow us more freedom to stay places longer and more frequently. I don’t tow a lot, but have a lot of time behind the wheel of tow rigs over the last 10 years (mainly SRW 2550/3500 SB and LB), but never a DRW. I would still need to use it to commute to work half the time (1 hour round trip - all highway). I am comfortable with parking big trucks so not really worried too much about that either. I don’t want to have to keep swapping trucks as our future trailer plans change. This is the biggest “driving” factor (pun intended) for making the jump to DRW now.

With all things considered, does the DRW make sense now or send it with the current SRW and deal with it? I’ll attach my payload sticker. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Get a dually . I have a long bed SRW in my opinion it turns tight enough . I had a short bed before the rede is a bit better because of the longer wheel base .
 
Fellow RAM owners,
I had a similar experience. We were shopping fifth wheel toy-haulers and settled on one with max GVWR of 20k. The pin weight was supposed to be 2900#. So, I found a 2024 3500 SRW LBCC HO for about $20k off last February.
This truck had a payload of 3886. Once the trailer was loaded, and I got to the scale, I was over rear axle GAWR about 150 pounds, over truck GVWR about 480 pounds, and close to the rated tire max weight.

I reasoned that certainly there is a "fudge factor" and that it would be OK.
However, the nagging concern of something happening 1000 miles from home, pushed me over the edge. I realized that this particular trailer needs a dually.

So, I traded my 5-month old truck on a 2025 RAM CC DRW LB. Fortunately, dealing with Mark RAM I was able to get a great trade-in value and a good price on the 2025. I haven't towed with it yet, but it does drive better than I expected. Its not my daily, so it works out fine.

Cheers!
 
Good choice. it’s like the old saying it’s better to have it then not have it just my opinion.
 
I hate to admit this, but after having a SRW short bed and using a B&W Companion slide hitch, I tore my tailgate up twice (long story, it involves steep slopes and an idiot ground guide). After the second time, I decided to upgrade a long bed and since we had been talking about upgrading the 5th wheel later also, I decided to go DRW CC. As the other have said above, the long bed/turning radius does show up to be an issue. I have found it take the trailer longer to react to steering inputs while backing up. Nothing major, you just have to get use to it and adjust your inputs (steer harder into the turn, but steer out of it quicker). My dually is also my daily driver, with a 65 total mile commute every day. With the air suspension and longer wheelbase, it rides better than the SRW. Both trucks seem to average about 16.5mpg unloaded. We recently upgraded our 5th wheel to an Alliance Paradigm 385FL with an empty weight of 15.5K and gross weight of 19k (it has the upgrade 8k axles and Super G rated tires). The DRW handles this with no issues whatsoever and the 50-gallon fuel tank is now a must have option for me. For me personally, I never want to be on edge on weight capacities on my tow vehicle.

I would go with the dually if your plans are to upgrade your 5ver also. What you like now and what you might come across in the future in regard to 5vers may change and along with that pin weights and gross vehicle weight. If you go dually now, you will not have to upgrade to the tow vehicle later also. In three years, when both my wife and I retire, we are going to be snowbirds and travel and explore a different southern state every year (unless I die before that) and return to PA for the summer months.

Having a dually and exploring in the city can be difficult with having to find adequate parking and due to the length can all but eliminate parallel parking spots, but it also makes us walk a bit further, which is not a bad thing.
 
Sleepyweasel said:
Having a dually and exploring in the city can be difficult with having to find adequate parking and due to the length can all but eliminate parallel parking spots, but it also makes us walk a bit further, which is not a bad thing.
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We have a 2016 Ram 2500 4x4 Crew Cab Short Bed and a 2024 Ram 3500 4x4 SRW Crew Cab Long Bed. Length is a problem with both pickups in parking downtown in Grand Junction, Colorado. The long bed doesn't fit in the length given. Home Depot's width of parking spaces seems to be the narrowest. Being one of the few Home Depots within a hundred mile radius it's packed parking. Doubt a dually would fit between the lines.

Rapid City, South Dakota will fine at $25 and tow pickups sticking out of their parking spaces into the traffic lane.

 
I have owned duallys since 1994. I won’t park beside idiots. I will park further out in parking lot. Wife doesn’t like it but too bad.
 
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