I am planning on hauling a camper (about 3000-3500 loaded, no rear overhang) as well as haul a race trailer at the same time. Trailer is 10000 GVWR with tounge weight about 1000-1300 lbs. Obviously, my 2500 will be overloaded.

I would like to hear some pros and cons vs using 19.5 Ricksons vs Dually conversion. Obviously, the wheels/tires would be easier.

I don't care to get into discussions about how my door sticker GVWR won't change. We know the difference between 2500 and 3500 is rear helper springs. The difference between DRW 3500 and SRW 3500 as far as GAWR is concerned is just the two extra rear tires. 3500 Dually GVWR= ~12500.

So, if I get 19.5" wheels with tires rated better than 4000 lbs, and airbags or helper springs there is no reason I can't safely haul the same weight as a 3500 dually. Besides door sticker issues, am I missing smoething?

So, what are the advantages of a dually vs some 19.5's at full PSI while hauling? Will the dually be much more stable? The only advantage I see is the dually is better in case of rear blowout. Anything I'm misssing?

 

Stability, controlling the swaying back and forth is where the DRW really shines. If you are hauling anything really top heavy, or moving cargo (horse's, cattle, etc....) a DRW comes in handy. And of course, alot of tonque weight, the DRW comes in handy. I have owned both (SRW and DRW) and when I stepped up to my 44' enclosed, the SRW just could not handle it, the 2 extra tires back there REALLY come in handy. And until you drive one with a load, hard to explain the difference. Obvioulsy the SRW can handle quite a load, but when it comes to stepping up to items like mentioned above, the DRW (my .02 cents) is the only choice.

 

I am running 19.5s and they are rated at 4950 lbs each. Very stable and wear like iron. I carry a heavy camper and it handles great.

I don't have all the dually problems - parking, poor traction etc.

 

I understand dually will be much more stable vs SRW with stock tires. But, have you hauled the same load with some 19.5's? If this was not my daliy driver, I would go dually without hesitation.

 

You may want to ask at www.rv.net in the truck camper or trailer section. Lots of people run 19.5's and do exactly what you describe in those forums. From what I have read the single19.5's are just as stable as dually's. The reason is the superstiff sidewalls give a much more stable tire, but a harder ride. One guy commented go up and wiggle a truck with regular tires, dually or single, and you'll see all the motion is tireflex as you can't load the suspension with your hand. If you do this with 19.5's the tires hardly move.

 

why not go all the way do both 19.5 dually converison

 

I tow a 40ft toyhauler,My last Dodge CTD was a 3/4ton and I bought the Ricksons 19.5 and loved them except I would get stuck quite often and the truck was alot more stable than stock.I just went back to a dually and definately the best way to go.If I would do it a gain I would of made my 3/4ton a dually.BTW I had ARB air lockers on both axles.

 

Have any pictures of your truck?

 

Here is a link to some SRW Dodge trucks with Rickson 19.5'' wheels.

http://www.ricksontruck.com/customers_dodge_srw.html


Hope that helps.