Dually or not... what should I get? - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

Travis Waldher · 08-14-2002, 10:52 AM

I'll have up to a 15,000lb gooseneck to tow. It will be a diesel, probably a stick.

It will also be a daily driver, probably 85% daily driver and 15% towing during the year.

After reading about some of the drawbacks of an unloaded dually, I was left wondering if I should stay away from the dually?

Tusker · 08-14-2002, 11:47 AM

Unless you need the added rear axle carrying capacity of the DRW (what is your tongue weight on the set up you want to tow), I would go with the SRW. 15,000 is a lot of weight, but unless you are puting over 3,000 lbs on the pickup, you don't need the dually.

Travis Waldher · 08-14-2002, 12:52 PM

I would figure around 2-2,500lbs? It will eventually tow 30' gooseneck. But, since I haven't built the trailer, I can move the trailer axles around and get the tongue weight where I need it.

Is the 3,000lb the rear axle or the springs the limiting factor. Air Bags would probably be added to restore normal ride height when towing the thing.

Eskimo · 08-14-2002, 01:28 PM

From what I've read on the diesel pages, TDR, etc...

The suspension is similar between a 3/4 and 1-ton (dually might have another few leaves), but the limiting factor is the weight capacity of the tires...

tsm1mt · 08-14-2002, 02:04 PM

I was thinking tires, too.

Most 235/85-16 LR-E "10-ply" tires are just over 3,000lbs capacity (mine are 3,042lbs).

Do they make a heavier rated tire for a 16" rim? (or for 17s?)

So that means 6000lbs on the rear. A Dana 60 is rated to 5500lbs, a Dana 70 (and I imagine a 14-bolt or 10.25 Sterling) is about 7500lbs.

Assuming the same, SRW, tires.. the Dana 70 only buys you 500lbs of extra capacity, as long as the springs are uprated to match.

The same tires, in a DRW, are rated for over 2000lbs per tire, * 4 = 8,000lbs, which is just over the rating of a Dana 70..

Travis Waldher · 08-14-2002, 02:57 PM

What about loss of stability from loosing those two wheels? How much of a difference is there. Is it night and day?

between a diesel 3/4 ton and a 1 ton, the drivetrains are the same aren't they?

Travis Waldher · 08-14-2002, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tsm1mt

Do they make a heavier rated tire for a 16" rim? (or for 17s?)

I'de have to go look on my truck later this weekend. But I think my 265/75R16E (8 ply) are rated for about 3,000lb each.

gunracer1 · 08-14-2002, 03:34 PM

the differance pulling a gooseneck trailer is all most nothing between a 3/4 ton and a dually. now if you throw a cab over camperin it, it makes a big differance. the gooseneck mount is centered right on top of the axle[and down low] and it will pull fine. if you are really planning on pulling big weight later, get a dually and if a cab over is in the plan get a dually. most 3/4 ton trucks are rated to carry more weight from the factory because they don't have the added weight of an extra set of tires and fenders. mike

Hypoid Drive · 08-14-2002, 04:47 PM

Since I have driven mine as a D.D for over three years ill give you my experience.
1st , the dual rears do help you carry more weight , they also wear front tires to the tune of 3 sets of fronts to 1 set of rears.

2nd when ladden or unladden when you go into a curve the duals will want to push you straight

3rd parking most anywhere is a bitch , and if you do fit both outer tires are on the lines then the people next to you open there doors into your fenders

4th forget automatic car washes around here anyway, a dually doesnt fit

5th the ride isnt unbearable in a empty truck its easy to get used to

6th your wife or girlfriend will no longer wont to drive it HA HA HA

7th the feeling of the dually better it feels like you are in a much larger truck

8th I seems to cost a house morgage to buy tires for it .

That is just some of the things that come off the top of my head.

Norm · 08-15-2002, 12:05 PM

I mostly agree with what TechGuru said.

I don't use mine a DD and have only had it a few weeks. It seems to handle just as well as my SRW, much better loaded. I haul a heavy ass camper and tow a trailer with it. I would not have gone to DRW if I did not haul with it almost every weekend. I was running my poor F250 at 10800 LBS loaded, and it was a bit scary even with overloads and air bags. For a 2500LB tongue weight I think a SRW with some air bags would be fine. I have seen lots of people pushing 3500LBS payload on SRW rigs.

DustyM · 08-15-2002, 01:45 PM

Go big Travis. One thing to remember not only car washes, but bank drive up windows are a pain to pull through. Our truck doesnt see daily driving until the camper comes off in the fall. It is nice to drive around most of the year, and Theresa loves to drive the truck around. I have left black marks when I take off fast from lights, it has some go juice empty.

08-14-2002, 10:52 AM	#1 (permalink)
Travis Waldher Pirate4x4 Addict! Join Date: May 2001 Member # 4878 Location: Bremerton, WA Posts: 7,523	Dually or not... what should I get? I'll have up to a 15,000lb gooseneck to tow. It will be a diesel, probably a stick. It will also be a daily driver, probably 85% daily driver and 15% towing during the year. After reading about some of the drawbacks of an unloaded dually, I was left wondering if I should stay away from the dually?

08-14-2002, 11:47 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tusker Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Member # 2752 Location: Fairfield, CA Posts: 2,043	Unless you need the added rear axle carrying capacity of the DRW (what is your tongue weight on the set up you want to tow), I would go with the SRW. 15,000 is a lot of weight, but unless you are puting over 3,000 lbs on the pickup, you don't need the dually. __________________ 86 Samurai w/gun rack, 92" WB, VW 1.9 TD, Toyota 5-speed and dual cases with 4.7 gearset, Toyota axles with Longfields, 5.29's, ARB's f&r, YJ's, 35's, FJ-60 power steering, high steer, ............. <>< <>< <>< Hey, if this rig is for wheelin', what are all these animal parts doin' in here?

08-14-2002, 01:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
Eskimo Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Member # 10429 Location: Danville, PA Posts: 4,456	From what I've read on the diesel pages, TDR, etc... The suspension is similar between a 3/4 and 1-ton (dually might have another few leaves), but the limiting factor is the weight capacity of the tires... __________________ Rich Q. FJ-40 Cruggy - tuned 5.3/4WS rockwells/linked/ORI's/42's

08-14-2002, 02:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
tsm1mt Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Member # 2071 Location: Helena, MT USA Posts: 5,169	I was thinking tires, too. Most 235/85-16 LR-E "10-ply" tires are just over 3,000lbs capacity (mine are 3,042lbs). Do they make a heavier rated tire for a 16" rim? (or for 17s?) So that means 6000lbs on the rear. A Dana 60 is rated to 5500lbs, a Dana 70 (and I imagine a 14-bolt or 10.25 Sterling) is about 7500lbs. Assuming the same, SRW, tires.. the Dana 70 only buys you 500lbs of extra capacity, as long as the springs are uprated to match. The same tires, in a DRW, are rated for over 2000lbs per tire, * 4 = 8,000lbs, which is just over the rating of a Dana 70.. __________________ -Tom KE7VUX

08-14-2002, 03:34 PM	#8 (permalink)
gunracer1 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Member # 7412 Location: ft worth texas, aguilar colorado Posts: 3,564	the differance pulling a gooseneck trailer is all most nothing between a 3/4 ton and a dually. now if you throw a cab over camperin it, it makes a big differance. the gooseneck mount is centered right on top of the axle[and down low] and it will pull fine. if you are really planning on pulling big weight later, get a dually and if a cab over is in the plan get a dually. most 3/4 ton trucks are rated to carry more weight from the factory because they don't have the added weight of an extra set of tires and fenders. mike __________________ i would rather be spanking the monkey offroad 99 Durango sitting on tons and fortys

08-14-2002, 12:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
Travis Waldher Pirate4x4 Addict! Join Date: May 2001 Member # 4878 Location: Bremerton, WA Posts: 7,523	I would figure around 2-2,500lbs? It will eventually tow 30' gooseneck. But, since I haven't built the trailer, I can move the trailer axles around and get the tongue weight where I need it. Is the 3,000lb the rear axle or the springs the limiting factor. Air Bags would probably be added to restore normal ride height when towing the thing.

08-14-2002, 02:57 PM	#6 (permalink)
Travis Waldher Pirate4x4 Addict! Join Date: May 2001 Member # 4878 Location: Bremerton, WA Posts: 7,523	What about loss of stability from loosing those two wheels? How much of a difference is there. Is it night and day? between a diesel 3/4 ton and a 1 ton, the drivetrains are the same aren't they?

08-14-2002, 04:47 PM	#9 (permalink)
Hypoid Drive Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Member # 7668 Location: sylva nc Posts: 881	Since I have driven mine as a D.D for over three years ill give you my experience. 1st , the dual rears do help you carry more weight , they also wear front tires to the tune of 3 sets of fronts to 1 set of rears. 2nd when ladden or unladden when you go into a curve the duals will want to push you straight 3rd parking most anywhere is a bitch , and if you do fit both outer tires are on the lines then the people next to you open there doors into your fenders 4th forget automatic car washes around here anyway, a dually doesnt fit 5th the ride isnt unbearable in a empty truck its easy to get used to 6th your wife or girlfriend will no longer wont to drive it HA HA HA 7th the feeling of the dually better it feels like you are in a much larger truck 8th I seems to cost a house morgage to buy tires for it . That is just some of the things that come off the top of my head. __________________ In search of portals

08-15-2002, 12:05 PM	#10 (permalink)
Norm Poor White Trash Join Date: Apr 2001 Member # 4387 Location: Kalispell, MT Posts: 1,873	I mostly agree with what TechGuru said. I don't use mine a DD and have only had it a few weeks. It seems to handle just as well as my SRW, much better loaded. I haul a heavy ass camper and tow a trailer with it. I would not have gone to DRW if I did not haul with it almost every weekend. I was running my poor F250 at 10800 LBS loaded, and it was a bit scary even with overloads and air bags. For a 2500LB tongue weight I think a SRW with some air bags would be fine. I have seen lots of people pushing 3500LBS payload on SRW rigs.

08-15-2002, 01:45 PM	#11 (permalink)
DustyM Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Member # 5089 Location: Sultan, Washington Posts: 198	Go big Travis. One thing to remember not only car washes, but bank drive up windows are a pain to pull through. Our truck doesnt see daily driving until the camper comes off in the fall. It is nice to drive around most of the year, and Theresa loves to drive the truck around. I have left black marks when I take off fast from lights, it has some go juice empty.

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