The two trucks have similar pulling power, but a big difference in carrying ability. Since the trailer has a heavy pin wt, carrying ability matters here. Actual numbers on the difference:
3500 SRW capacity for occupants and cargo to hit GVWR = about 2,900lbs.
Assume 200lb hitch in box and 400lbs in the cab, leaves 2,300 for pin wt.
3500DRW capacity for occupants and cargo = about 4,300lbs. Same hitch and people leaves 3,700lbs to hit GVWR
In fact the DRW will reach its GCWR before it reaches its GVWR with a normal 5er load, while the SRW is more like the 2500HD in hitting GVWR long before it hits GCWR.
Using the GVWR as the 3500 SRW limiter, then 2,300 for pin goes with a 5er weighing 11,500lbs at 20% pin wt.
The GCWR limit on the DRW is reached this way: Truck weighs about 11,400 - 4,300 =7,100 empty with a full tank. Add the hitch and people above, it now weighs 7,700lbs. So GCWR of 23,500- 7,700 =15,800 for trailer. Using 20% pin wt, pin is 3,160lbs. So the GVWR is not reached (under by 540lbs) but you are at GCWR.
So for the proposed trailer the OP has no real choice but the 3500DRW in a GM. It is perhaps possible that Ford has a SRW that can do the job, I don't know Ford numbers, but with a GM you need the dually. (And a very nice truck it is too )
This is the best picture I can do.
pin
lVl
--------------10' beam--------------------
A pivot pivot A
scale under pivot Blocks of wood to level beam
Subtract initial scale reading from final reading after putting pin weight on V and mulitply the difference by 9 =pin weight. I use 4' angle iron for my pivots and a 8' beam and a tape measure.
Not sure why the right side of drawing is not showing up??
You put the weight 1' from end of beam and mulitply by one less than the total length of your beam.
IMO, a SRW one ton is actually nothing more than a 3/4 ton on steroids.
I have a dually, wouldn't have it any other way.
My son towed the 5er in my sig. with a 3/4 ton, said it handled fine.
I wanted a dually, I got a dually, it worked great for towing, and it was perfectly adequate as a daily driver as well.
I intend to keep it.
Number 1 rule....
NEVER believe the truck or RV salesman....
With your load, you will be pretty close to 3000# on the pin which adds to your trucks GVW. As long as you can add 3000# to the truck and remain under GVWR you will be OK with a SRW. For that size trailer, I'd much prefer the stability of a DRW.
Ken
KE5DFR
Vintage 1979 Silver Streak Supreme Rocket toted by a 2002 F350, crewcab dually, 7.3L,4.10 axle,SCMT. Travel with two miniature Schnauzers and one African Gray parrot. Practicing for retirement!
I posted a similar thread to yours in May when I was deciding on a tow vehicle. One of the best replies I got that put things into perspective for me was to go with the 3500 DRW. The reply stated it may not have been the truck that I originally wanted, but it was the truck that I needed. Although putting it in your garage would be nice, get the truck that will do what you need it to do.
I think what you need to do is look at the GVWR for that 3500 SRW vs. the GVWR for the 3500 DRW. The difference is pretty dramatic - the 3500 SRW us rated at 9900 lbs; the 3500 DRW is rated at 11,400 lbs.
Depending on the body style you get, your actual load carrying capacity can change pretty dramatically as well. The load carrying capacity is your passengers, camping junk, and pin weight minus the truck weight. The heaviest truck style is the crew cab, followed by the ext. cab, and finally the std. cab. Having that extra 1500 lbs load capacity cushion provided in the dually is nice and makes the whole process easier.
Get the dually - you will like it now and like it even more when you get your next fifth wheel.
Carriage Cameo 33CKQ | 08 GMC 3500HD CC LB Duramax Dually | Sam the Cat and the Labs | Best wife going
However, the calculation is not "Scale x 9" it's "Scale x 10".
You're calculating the moment (sort of the same thing as torque, force x distance) around the left pivot. Since we know the moment is zero, we can say:
Pin Weight x 1 = Scale x 10 ____OR____ Scale = 10% of Pin Weight
The inverse is also true if we switch the pivot and scale:
Pin Weight x 9 = Scale x 10 ____OR____ Scale = 90% of Pin Weight
Also, accuracy depends on your particular setup. I would not use the word "exactly" with this method.
Disclaimer: I have not done this. I don't intend to. And I don't recommend it. I take no responsibility for your results.
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