Everyone's got an opinion, and I'd like to hear yours! SRW vs DRW?

[FeralK]

With the idea towards drastic lifestyle changes (like, we're selling the house and moving on in for the foreseeable future), we've bought a used Bigfoot 10'11 and are presently shopping around for the truck to match. We've mostly decided on a pre-2007 F350 diesel 4WD with an extended or crew cab to haul our probably 3400# "wet" weight home down endless fire roads (and possibly more) in search of adventure. After lots of search and reading and discussion, we've decided that this kind of set-up is the best for our needs. What we have NOT been able to decide, yet, is . . . is this truck a dually or a SRW?

I've heard arguments for and against each option, and can't figure out how to decide without actually trying both things. I like the SRW because it's simple, and simple's often better, 4 tires are easier/cheaper than 6, and a number of people have told me it'll work fine. But, this camper is heavy, and -- as it's going to be our permanent home -- it'll probably be even HEAVIER. Thus, the DRW seems the way to go, for stability, comfort and general sturdiness. But, we're going to be doing a LOT of traveling down fire roads, and thus the ability for rocks to get wedged between the wheels becomes a real concern. And, we'll be traveling slowly and not doing anything TOO extreme, so how much do we need the stability offered? Forgive my ignorance, but can a strong rear axel and airbags compensate enough to make the SRW workable?

I've asked a slew of people their opinion on one vs. the other, and it seems to come down 50/50. I'm sure after a year or so of driving our rig around, I'll ALSO have an opinion, and lots of anecdotal evidence to back it up. Right now, though, I've got an opinion but NO evidence behind it. So, what's your experience? Is a SRW adequate, or are we being silly for even thinking of skipping the DRW?

http://theferalblog.wordpress.com/

 

[madmax718]

Woah, tough one. Id get a SRW. The rocks in the wheels is only one concern, but also the tracking, as the front wheels and rear wheels don't follow the same track.
http://www.ricksontruckwheels.com/c...ampers-southold-ny/East-End-Campers-2.jpg.php

You can upgrade to 19.5" wheels, which are rated at 5000lbs each. You can then upsize to commercial F/G/H rated tires. (look at specific tire for their own ratings). I did some research on these a while back when I was considering upgrading from a pop top. Plus, slipping the jacks up through a SRW is loads easier than a DRW. (depending on your jack system, mostly). Most owners I have met traveling says its the best thing ever for towing, very stable. Just when not towing/hauling any weight, you have to let out air otherwise it rides really harsh.

 

[Buliwyf]

1.) Try to get a 2008+. Better springs. Don't avoid the 6.8L gasser or even the 5.4L. Campers aren't much weight, so be really sure you need the diesel.
2.) Use Airlift bags, the kit that goes over the spring will be the stiffest. That's what I run. I'd use inside coil bags up front as well. Stiff bags will take away a lot of the sway.
3) Premium tires are a must. You're talking about a rig that weighs 10,000. On 4 tires with a total capacity of 12,000ish. Cutting it close.
4.) The most important bit: Keep the camper EMPTY. No tons of cloths. No dozens of dishes. No water. There will be plenty of water when you get there. If you keep it light and plan well, then SRW is doable. If you pack too much, all bets are off. Where can your camper lose weight?
5.) Chain the camper to your frame, not to your bed.
6.) Bilstein shocks and a rear swaybar.
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7.) You said "permanent home". Sorry, but then you'll only be happy with a DRW or a 550 converted to SRW with firetruck/forestry style wheels and HD tires. You're going to be too heavy for a normal 350 SRW. Get a stock 350 or 450 drw, and flat tow a Jeep if you have to LOLz.

 

[Maverick1701]

That is a tough question.

I prefer an SRW for 4x4ing....I 4x4'd a 96 F350 CC 7.3 diesel 4x4 for years without any problems.

However my M35 6x6 is also unstoppable in the rough stuff (and it is DRW).

 

[madmax718]

that 5.4 is a dog with a camper. I don't know about the v10 in that year, but having driven one in the e450 31 ft class C RV, mated to a 4 speed, it was constantly screaming trying to keep 60 on the hills. On the flats it was fine. Maybe the 3 valve is better. Gear hunting sucks.

Their living out of the truck and camper, no home. Even without water, they will probably have it fully loaded. In the years considered, I think its a dana 50 front, and a sterling 10.5 rear? DRW's come with d60 and a d80 rear. Also more load carrying springs. I still wouldnt do a dually; its just harder for exploration, even though I love it.

 

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

I went with SRW 8 years and 152,000 miles ago. I upgraded to 19.5" tires and wheels, Firestone airbags, extra leaf spring, upgraded shocks (the ones you adjust... forget the brand). I tow the Jeep and keep my water in jugs there. Since I flat tow, it doesn't add to the weight. I also use the Jeep to haul other stuff as well. I'd get crew cab and diesel, but that's just my preference. My backseat is loaded with gear and 2 big dogs. My camper is also stuffed with stuff. I've never had any problems. I'm off road quite often.......took this photo about an hour ago and the rain has really cleaned it up. You get the idea.

 

[Buliwyf]

that 5.4 is a dog with a camper. I don't know about the v10 in that year, but having driven one in the e450 31 ft class C RV, mated to a 4 speed, it was constantly screaming trying to keep 60 on the hills. On the flats it was fine. Maybe the 3 valve is better. Gear hunting sucks.

Their living out of the truck and camper, no home. Even without water, they will probably have it fully loaded. In the years considered, I think its a dana 50 front, and a sterling 10.5 rear? DRW's come with d60 and a d80 rear. Also more load carrying springs. I still wouldnt do a dually; its just harder for exploration, even though I love it.

Your right about the DRW. The living out of it bit is the final straw. Really no choice. A slidin camper/truck rig fully filled, setup like that weighs as much as a similar sized RV. And last I checked, All those RV's are DRW's.
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3500 pounds shouldn't phase a 5.4L. I just finished towing 10,000 from Florida to Cleveland up 77. No problems getting up hills. Let her scream. RPM is good for gassers. I'd gladly trade my 3v for a 2v engine, especially if I had a v10. An old ford with a 351 Cleveland 300hp got our 25' TT across the rockys, so I don't really get all the more power stuff.

 

[daddyusmaximus]

Woah, tough one. Id get a SRW. The rocks in the wheels is only one concern, but also the tracking, as the front wheels and rear wheels don't follow the same track.http://www.ricksontruckwheels.com/c...ampers-southold-ny/East-End-Campers-2.jpg.php

You can upgrade to 19.5" wheels, which are rated at 5000lbs each. You can then upsize to commercial F/G/H rated tires. (look at specific tire for their own ratings). I did some research on these a while back when I was considering upgrading from a pop top. Plus, slipping the jacks up through a SRW is loads easier than a DRW. (depending on your jack system, mostly). Most owners I have met traveling says its the best thing ever for towing, very stable. Just when not towing/hauling any weight, you have to let out air otherwise it rides really harsh.

^^^ tracking is important in the really tough stuff.

DRW for heavy loads and towing. SRW for off-roading. Problem is, it seems you want to do both.
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Depending on just how "back country" you are gonna get on fire roads, you could wheel a DRW. They may be rough roads, but they are roads.
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If you will be parking the trailer as a base camp, and going into rougher country with just the truck, SRW. SRW will get you better wheeling when the ground gets uneven, and the trees get closer together.

 

[LR Max]

SRW.

DRW is when you have your 53ft gooseneck trailer with three 7500lb rock crawlers on the back of it and you drive back and forth from Virginia to Moab.

SRW with air bags on the rear will be fine. Also you probably aren't going to wheel it hard. Campers add a ton of weight up top and that is when things get interesting.

I'm not a 6.0 diesel fan and have a number of friends who have had serious engine issues. They've got a super bad rap and that is why those trucks are so cheap. Haven't heard any negative things about the 6.4 diesel engine since they fixed the flame thrower option. Get a newer truck. Also the newer ones come with a 5 speed auto, a little nicer than a 4 speed auto.

Also search for a truck with the "Off Road package" or the "FX4" package. Will help with your endeavor.

 

[D45]

If you get a SRW, make sure you run Load E Range tires..........I recently changed from Load D range to Load E range and the difference was night and day

I love my 3500 SRW...but if I towed a lot or pulled heavy loads, I would want the added stability of the DRW

 

[Scott Brady]

DRW = you have too much stuff


People ride around the world with their entire possessions contained on a motorcycle.

A DRW is just too much of a performance compromise IMHO, particularly in sand and mud. If the goal is never to venture far from pavement, then the DRW is fine. If you are pulling a huge horse trailer or car hauler, then the DRW is suitable.

 

[doug720]

Dualies for sure!

I had a big Lance 11'3 on a F350 4X4 crew cab a single rear wheels. It was good, but I hauled my camper on a buddies DRW Ford one time and was shocked how much better it was! Handling was much improved, less sway and tracking was great.

As to DRW and off roading...First you are not going to go on many rear hardcore trails with a big camper on the back! Second, DRW are used on logging trucks, dump trucks, water trucks, off road fire trucks, etc, etc, etc, with little or no issues.

You will be carrying a lot of weight all the time and the dually is better at this, plus if have a rear flat, you can at least move to a safe location to change it.

Buy the dually.

Doug

 

[F350]

Another vote for a DRW. There is a noticeable difference vs a SRW. Yeah, you can get 19.5 wheels but you'll likely pay more for 4 than 6 normal tires. The only tracking issue I've had is when on a rutted paved road at freeway speeds. The *** end wants to stay in the rut. I take mine well of the pavement. Granted, I'm not rock crawling or doing anything exteme but I with a crewcab long bed, how extreme are you going to get? I've got a small lift and I'm running 33"+ tires and go everywhere I want to. My 2 cents....

 

[LovinPSDs]

I'd greatly weigh how much time your going to spend on road/very mild offroad Vs. fairly complicated offroad.

But the more I think about the size of the camper, the more I think a DRW.

-The width of the dually won't matter as the camper is just as wide
-Buy a HIGH quality AT and you should get 50K+ out of them if you stay up on rotations
-The DRW is going to feel so much more stable on and offroad-
-The ONLY time you'll regret a DRW is where there is a deep deep rut that you have to keep jockeying the duals around.. All that being said, if I had a SRW it would probably have taller and wider tires than the DRW so you won't notice much difference anyway. I haven't traveled many fire/timber roads, whets the terrain like mostly?
- I wouldn't go to 19.5's if you want a decent offroad tire.... If you want a road tire that will last 100K that's a different story.

 

[pappawheely]

I think it all depends on how much weight you will haul. I bought an 11 foot camper for my srw F-350 CC. Hauled it twice on the hwy and knew it would not be safe or fun to take it offroad. I sold it and got a pop-up. I can't even imagine what it would be like getting stuck and having to air down with a 4000-5000 lb. load in the back. On good dirt roads maybe but not on the desert trails I travel. If you will be on good roads it doesn't make any sense to go srw. I would go DRW when hauling anything but a lightweight pop-up.