Reading this OP made me think back on when we drove to a small town 100 mi East of here to retrieve our monstrosity. A week earlier I had found an unbeatable deal on a shiny gray Dodge 2500 4x4 diesel - and like an expectant new father fixing up the nursery, I worked each day preparing it's bed for a camper.
I had owned (and gutted, overhauled and modified) an old 10.5 Chinook camper a few years earlier so I knew a thing or two about campers by golly!
Or so I thought.
I had also joined this forum to learn more about setup for a larger rig a few weeks earlier. Several annoying folks in here sternly warned me against using a SRW for such a behemoth - especially a 3/4 ton SRW. Yeah sure, blah blah blah. Probably just a bunch of cranky old know-it-all retirees. Sure, their comments made rational sense but geez, come on guys, where's the adventure & whats all this wimpiness?
After picking up the camper we merged onto the freeway, and as proud new owners of our detachable camping lodge, headed back home to figure out how to actually pay for it. What followed was the scariest 3 hour, 100 mile freeway drive of my entire life. That rig bounced & swayed & bucked & swerved & rocked & rolled - and porpoised so bad on the concrete seams of Snoqualmie pass I thought the frame would snap in two.
Once home, I sat down at the computer in a cold sweat and asked some more questions of those annoying folks in this forum - only this time, I listened. The next day I called my wife at work and gave her the bad news: Different truck or different camper. She was insistent: The CAMPER was staying. Period. "You can work out the truck thingys with your new friends on that forum, but the camping lodge stays."
I don't "love" my dually, but over the years I have gotten completely used to driving it. All my glancing around & calculating space around me is automatic. And of course, once a large camper is mounted, there isn't much difference in parking lot edicate between a SWR and a DRW since the width, height, and length is defined by the camper.
I feel safer driving it and it is worth it just for that alone. However I have also found it far more useful "off hours" than I anticipated. In the past month while building my garage/shop, this thing has hauled entire pallets of concrete, huge beams and various other materials all the way up to my house with no problem - (some of which is about the same weight as my camper.)
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BTW: I do NOT, however, drive this thing stock. Even with the 300% improvement in handling over the SRW, the thing still drove like a lead brick. (Still does for that matter - just a better handling brick) The #1 most dramatic improvement was the sway bar. The #2 was truck tires. #3 was the Lance struts (to control frame flex bouncing). Those are the most important devices I would not give up. The air bags I employ from time to time if I'm on a road with a lot of sharp bumps or dips - such as my way home today down hwy 101 on the WA coast. Otherwise it makes a rather unsettling cathwump when the overload springs engage/disengage at high speed. The fancy shmancy shocks are cranked up max all the time and I see little difference with them over stock. Better shocks would probably help some - but as it stands now, I'm fairly comfortable driving the rig. And even with all the weight, this thing does not lack for power. It consistently surprises me going up onramps - the sucker pulls hard. (And on the way home, we turned in a very respectable 14 MPG)
* This post was
edited 08/30/09 05:42am by Fat Fox *
Seymour Wrought
Rebuilding my rotting 03 Arctic Fox 1150 that was made of cardboard, tape & scraps of garbage.
01 F350 dually 4X4
Rancho 9000, Air bags, Roadmaster sway bar
Torklift/Fastguns, Lance cabover struts, (un)Happi jacks, Homemade jack stabilizers
I have not been here for awhile......I logged about 3500 miles in my 08 SRW 3/4 ton and about the same with my 06 Crew Cab one ton dually.
The 3/4 ton was an extended cab and the dually is a crew cab. There is a difference in wheelbase as well.....Having said that and having logged many miles with the same camper.........I am still in SHOCK... ABout how much better the DualWheel truck feels.
At how much difference the two trucks handle...I am not "pontificating about nonsense"
I could not have any more seat of the pants feel.....( sionce your talking seat of the pants)Too exagerate the point you would never keep up with my dually on a curvy road.......Not that I do but I could exceed the speed around curves by a great deal more speed with a dually than any SRW truck.
A skid pad would tell the truth...the dually would win by a wide margin....if you want to defend your choice in trucks its not an attack on your choice.
I did not want the dually orginally because I drive the truck during the week hence the purchase of a new SRW...
I knew from more than 40 years of pulling trucks and trailers it was not right......So I traded back to the dually just to make sure and BAM!!.....I was right.....
There is no comparison in the two trucks in driving experiance and feel. I am not dreaming this******up.......The Dually is hands down a better driving feeling/handling truck
Any any other man or woman that has done this will tell you the same thing.......Unless you have a pop up or a very very light hardside.......You should be having that truck camper on a Dually.....Period
And oh by the way........I get a consistant 12mpg with my Diesel at 70mph....the other day I decided to light foot it at 55 mph with no wind on level ground......drove with an egg under my foot so to speak......20 MPG !
Did this over 110 Mile course.....not long...I know...But thats what I got
My camper weighs in ready to roll right at 3600 Pounds...thats packed and I keep water in the tank as well in case we stop......
NO added springs or leaky air bags needed.........no fancy shocks either......The truck is bone stock from the factory........it needs nothing in the way of help....nothing ...With the camper on it drops about 3 to 4 inchs from stock.......just touches the overloads.....thats it......works perfect.
Just another reason to own a dually......you dont have to modify anything!
So glad to hear you're still so happy with your perfect setup that only sags 4" when you load your camper... You've come a long way from page 1 of this thread! Horrified, wow, I reserve that for some of MY TALL TALES about mishaps dumping!
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Like many have said, it's important to feel comfortable with your rig; if your stock DRW does that for you, then great! Try to accept that some (actually many) of us have a different perspective about what works well. Speaking in absolutes kind of detracts from the whole "sharing ideas" concept of a forum...
Since you're from the "windy city", any suggestions where we can all park next time we're in town and cruising the Miracle Mile or checking out Navy Pier?
* This post was
edited 08/30/09 09:08am by an administrator/moderator *
Wow, The thread roles on. If you skim all of this there is very useful information. I think both style trucks(DRW and SRW by any maker) are capable but the camper size, weight and what might be in tow will be the decison maker(or should be).
To me the only thing that worries me are the owners who do not consider this and are way over weight and the truck is really a danger to not only them but other motorists. We all have an obligation to keep things safe. It should be absolutely illegal for any TC business to load, install or mount a camper on any truck that they knowlingly will exceed safety specifications. The truck where the camper is to be mounted should be assesed. This "Sign a waiver" to release the TC company of liability and to make it legal to sell is ridiculous. People will sign anything. They are on a "sugar rush" and overlook everything. Just sign here, and here and here etc.
Again as I was searching for the camper I wanted, I visited at least 10 different businesses up and down California. I heard some real BS spew out of salesmans mouths at half of those. One place I swear would have sold a guy an Artic Fox big one and he had long bed half ton SRW. The guy almost bought it. Good thing it did not fit in his budget. Now I am new owner of a TC but have have been around them for years and personally towed an 11-13Klb trailer around for years so I am not oblivious to basic common sense. Not once was there any real discussion about what truck I had other than "Full size". Typically when they see a Dually pull into the lot they assume you want the "Mothership" TC. Just knowing what your truck is capable of and not getting sold on all the new fangled features is key.
I read somewhere back that the best advice is decide on the camper first then go buy the truck. I agree 100%. But most have the truck first. So now it becomes a common sense realistic approach not how they will match your payment to what you want it to be by financing the deal for 30 years.
Happy Camping.
Truck: 2001 Chevrolet Long Bed Crew Cab Dually. Duramax/Allison. Reunel front bumper with Warn 15Klb winch, 60 gallon Midship fuel tank, Alcoa wheels
It's funny how many of you compare your various flavors of 3/4 ton SRW to your 1 ton DRW. I especially like the Dodge 2500 to Ford 350 DRW. First off, a Dodge 2500 can't come within 1000 lbs of the capacity of a Ford 350 SRW. No doubt the Ford 350 DRW would be better. I'd be shocked if most of the SRW weren't also Crew Cabs which hurt the camper carrying ability.
It looks like some of you DRW guys don't quite understand what's possible with a proper Ford Supercab 350 SRW. There's a reason why we have that configuration and not a Crew Cab 250.
I'm glad you all like your duallies, but I can assure you that my truck compared to the 3/4 ton SRW you had before would be night and day different as well!
'06 F350 Lariat Supercab SRW, 6.0 PSD 4x4 Long Bed, Intake Elbow, Walker Big Truck Muffler. '06 Host Rainer 950 Double Slide, Fastguns. Firestone Air Bags, Rancho 9000s, Vision 19.5s with Hankook DH-01 245s, Energy Suspension bump stops.
Jim thanks for your vote that a DRW truck will handle the same TC better than a SRW truck. That is our point and most if not all have proven it to ourselves as we have done it both ways. Those who resort to band aides on SRW trucks will end up spending more $$$$ and still have a truck that carries and handles the TC worse than the DRW truck.
As was posted above SRW trucks are fine when PROPERLY matched with a lighter and smaller TC. Sadly this is rarely the case. Hence why there are so many horror stories.
When it comes to larger TC's DRW trucks are the last work in travel enjoyment.
If you notice the latest trend, more are moving into the F450/550 truck as these folks want to haul a multi slide TC and haul a boat or trailer. This is also what is need to have a balanced load and hauling without over loading the truck.
The larger multi slide TC should only go on a F450/550 as these will swamp a F350 unless it is a stripper, DRW, single cab, gasser. Few here are willing to go this route.
Want to have some fun?
All of you SRW and DRW folks go weigh your rigs, first empty bed without the tail gate and full of fuel with your butt and anyone else's you take along in the cab. Next load the TC and weigh it again with the water full or at lest 1/2 full with full propane and the usual stuff you take with you. Compare this last number with your truck builders GVWR and now the ugly truth comes to light. All the air bags and sway bars and springs kits can not make the GVWR go up. This is what you really weigh and if it is over the GVWR you are over. Plain and simple. If not welcome to the world of RESPONSIBLE HAULING. It is a small club but one filled with truly happy and responsible campers.
Folks are you up to the truck and TC weigh in challenge?
I started I am 150 LBS under GVWR. I know I did the right thing for me and mine and all the others out there sharing the road with me.
Allen
2005 Ford F-350 CC Dually 6.0L Diesel 4x4 King Ranch loaded, Supersprings, Coolant filter, Oilguard bypass filter.
oldgreybull wrote: So glad to hear you're still so happy with your perfect setup that only sags 4" when you load your camper...
I often wonder how far the back can sag, and be OK with the driver. My preference is to have some weight on the front and rear axle. I do not like more than a 2-inch "sag" in the rear. I often see some setups that actually lift the front end, DRW and SRW.
oldgreybull wrote: Horrified, wow, I reserve that for some of MY TALL TALES about mishaps dumping!
Maybe I am just not that excitable. I do not remember the last time I was "horrified", even in the stories I tell.
oldgreybull wrote: Like many have said, it's important to feel comfortable with your rig; if your stock DRW does that for you, then great!
I am one of those that think it is very important. To drive something that horrifies you or gives you white knuckles is unsafe, in my opinion. I think that is true even if it is safe.
oldgreybull wrote: Try to accept that some (actually many) of us have a different perspective about what works well.
Some folks do not consider the experience of others. A wise fellow once said; "Do not judge the skills of others, by your own."
oldgreybull wrote: Speaking in absolutes kind of detracts from the whole "sharing ideas" concept of a forum...
I think this is very valid. It also smacks of tunnel vision and it tends to take away creditability. I think it is pretty much a waste of time to try to discuss something with an absolutest. Maybe you are just expected to agree or simply listen.
I believe there is a lot of over reaction to what is and is not safe with our trucks and TCs. This includes our individual health and driving skills. I am sure many of us could have an attack of an illness, while driving, that could pose a serious threat to others. Maybe if our health is not perfect, we should not drive our rigs. Consider some of the medications some people take. That could be an interesting topic for a thread. I wonder how many of us would say others are just trying to justify their health?
I would not be better off with a 450 Ford if its a SRW....
I am right on my GVW......Over a 100 pounds with a full tank......but I am grateful for that part anyway...Its the long wheel base dual wheels that makes the big differance.
I would take my GM truck over the 450 SRW truck anyday..
There was so much differance between the trucks I cant even imagine I am having this discussion......this is only for those who have owned both and driven both...the rest is pure speculation by the SRW folks.....
If I had not done it I would have sided with the SRW people....I had to justify the purchase you know.....
But having owned so many srw and drw trucks in the past I thought I would be correct in the switch and I was......
I have never not owned a truck and trailer my entire driving life...over 40 years in these trucks.....I have owned at least 5 Duallys and about the same in SRW trucks
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ABout how much better the DualWheel truck feels.
I'd be shocked if most of the SRW weren't also Crew Cabs which hurt the camper carrying ability.
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