Hello all

I have read many comments about how more stable the ride is with DRW, how much more weight can be carried and how having 4 vice 2 is nice when one blows. My problem is that I already purchase a SRW cause I needed it for day to day use etc. etc. etc. So what now?
I have no plan to upgrade

My ride:

I have a 2009 F350 6.4 diesel crew cab SRW 4X4. Rated for FW 15,300 and carrying capacity of 3750lbs.

My Future Condo:

The trailor we purchase is a BH 3410RE 37'3" including the extended pin. at 11,500 GVWR of 14,500 HW at 1790lbs.

My question:

Now the information I need is not so much about how better the DRW does in comparaison but more input from folks that are pulling with a SRW with similar Weight.

How they find the ride?
Is it so horrific?
What improvement they made to make the ride better?
Did it actually improve the ride?

Thanks

Hiya Richard,

We pull a 5er with a 2008 version of your truck.  We have gone out twice with the rig and will be leaving to full-time in July.

Our Montana has the Mor-Ryde suspension and Mor-Ryde pin.  The ride is not bad at all and the truck does fine with the weight.  Of course, we have not loaded it for full-timing yet and have not ventured into "real" mountains like Colorado, etc.  We just have to be more weight-conscious than others.

Had I known we were really going to do the full-timing thing, I would have gotten a dually.  Like you, we are not planning to upgrade the truck.  We should be fine; just gotta keep an eye on the weight.

The truck pulls the 5er like a dream!  Much nicer ride and towing experience (I do the towing) compared to the bumper pull we had before the 5er.

Good luck, happy travels!

Betty

I have pulled the same 5th wheel (15,000lbs) with two SRW trucks and two DRW trucks. The only real difference is the SRW feels squirrly in the rear. Basically I can feel it in the seat of my pants. With turns, rough roads, wheel tracks worn into the highway and slow speed manuvering I feel the rear end of the truck wig-wag. It's as if the tires need more air. The DRW feels solid no wig-wag. The rear end feels like it stays flat, no roll, no wiggle. Everything else is pretty much the same for either a SRW or DRW setup to tow a 5th wheel. The wig-wag isn't a big thing, I got used to it once I realized why the drive felt different than towing with my DRW. Flat tires are safer, but how often do you get blowouts...we had a rock blowout an inner dual and were able to continue across a bridge spanning a wide river while towing the 5th wheel. I would have had to stop on the bridge if I had an SRW truck. That's the only blowout on a truck in 20 years of towing. With your F-350 you should do very well.

Thanks to you both

I knew from reading that DRW was riding better but I just could not put into perspective the riding comparaison.  Bad versus Very good or good versus very good.  I can live with good but I want to leave the bad behind with the work force when I retire.

Richard, We've been full timing pulling a heavier 5th wheel than you've got with our 2007 Ford 350 SRW for the past 2+ years. Haven't noticed any issues. Our truck is a short bed, extended cab, and I've got an automatic slider hitch. It's a standard king pin.  I recon you'll do just fine. Sure is nice to fit in a normal parking spot (well, not when I park, but the DW does a better job at the mall and grocery store than I do).  Good luck on your adventure

Lance

Richard and Ron Do not sweat it - do not buy in to the "dually" guys preaching the end of the world if you are SWR. As you may know a SWR can tow more than the DWR as the dually loses tow capacity due to its added weight. The hitch pin weight is what you have to concern yourself with. The only advantage I can see to the dually is the safety factor in a blow out. I tow my 2008 Jayco Designer 36 RLTS with my 2004.5 Dodge Ram 3500 short box SWR. I have a Mor-Ryde suspension and a Mor-Ryde pin. I have also added a PBXR Pacbrake. It pulls like a dream - no sway or "wig-wag" thing what ever that is! Enjoy your travels!

Well this is reassuring or shall I say, confirming news as I was pretty sure we would be OK. But that nagging feeling keep pecking at my neck.

Thanks

My unit does come equip with Trail-Air's Equa flex with Shock at each wheel. I did ask my saleman about adding a More ride or air hitch but he recommended that I take it in step. Try first then upgrade as required. He did say that they ride smoothly as is. Will see...



-- Edited by Richard on Thursday 29th of April 2010 08:26:15 PM

We tow with a SRW with no problems. Of course, I salivate every time I see Sports Chassis tow rig. But, I suffer from lackamoney syndrome, so no Sport Chassis for me. But, I disagree with the salesman that did not recommend the Mor-Ryde Pinbox. Best 800 dollars I ever spent. Removes the "chucking" while towing. Our rig has Mor-Ryde Equaflex suspension and shock absorbers on all wheels, and the pinbox change helped a bunch.

I kind of figure that it would be something really nice to have but because we will be static most of that first year with the exception of:

1. Move to the campground 400km/240 miles,
2. 4 hours of driving as part of my booked driving course, and
3. Move back to the dealer 400km/240 miles for limited repair (I hope) and winter storage.

I figure that I can give my banker time to recuperate.

-- Edited by Richard on Friday 30th of April 2010 02:05:21 PM