You might be wondering if you need a dually truck if you’re looking to buy a truck to tow your new trailer, fifth wheel, or toy hauler.
A newer truck may also be what you need to haul a horse trailer or farm equipment if you’re trying to replace an old truck. A dually truck might be your best bet. Can you afford one?
We’re examining the benefits of a dually truck and why it performs so much better than a standard truck.
What’s A Dually Truck?
A heavy-duty pickup truck with two rear wheels on each side is referred to as a dual rear-wheel truck (DRW) or a dually. This configuration allows for more road contact and width, which improves stability, balance, and traction while driving. Chances are you have been behind one of these widebody vehicles on the road and noticed its brawny stance and muscular fenders
A dually truck can handle more payload weight and provide more towing capacity than its standard single-rear-wheel (SRW) pickup truck counterparts because it has four back wheels instead of two and a stronger rear axle. For instance, a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD V-8 turbo-diesel (DRW) truck can tow 5,500 more pounds and haul 2,215 more than its SRW counterpart. The dually out-tows the standard version by a remarkable 14,000 pounds when a gooseneck hitch is added to both trucks.
The majority of dually trucks also come with larger, more powerful brakes for increased stopping power, as well as heavy-duty shock absorbers and springs for improved ability to navigate uneven terrain and rough roads.
A Dually Truck Is What Size Of A Truck?
The manufacturer and model will have an impact on the precise size of a dually truck. But typically, heavy-duty size truck models will have the dual-rear-wheel option.
For instance, the 2021 Dodge Ram 3500 heavy-duty dually truck measures 249.9 inches overall, 78.5 inches tall, and 79.5 inches wide.
What Is The Price Of A Dually Truck?
The exact cost of a dually truck will vary depending on the truck’s make, model, and trim level, among other things.
A Chevy Silverado 3500HD dually truck, as an illustration, costs $35,995 as a starting point. The cost of an optioned-out dually truck, however, can reach $100,000.
Which Dually Tracs Are Some Examples?
There are a few capable dually pickup models available if you’re in the market for one:
- Ram 3500 HD Dually — maximum towing capacity is one of the segment’s highest – 32,500 pounds (with the turbo-diesel engine)
- Ford F-350 Super Duty — max towing capacity of 26,500 pounds with a maximum payload of 7,300 pounds
- Ford F-450 Super Duty XLT — max gooseneck towing capacity of 35,000 pounds and a max conventional towing capacity of 21,000 pounds (with the diesel engine)
- Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD Dually — max towing capacity of 23,100 pounds (with the diesel engine)
Is It Difficult To Drive A Dually?
Driving a standard truck and a dually are very similar tasks. The wider body and rougher ride are the two key distinctions.
As a result of the wider rear wheel wells, driving a DRW truck on curvy roads or in crowded areas can be more challenging. An average dually is a foot wider than a typical truck.
The ride is also rougher than it is in a regular truck when the truck bed is empty and you are not towing anything. A dually, however, is not designed to be comfortable to drive around town; rather, it is made to perform well when carrying heavy loads.
Dually Truck Vs. Non-dually Truck
Now that you are aware of what a dually pickup truck is and its advantages, how can you be certain that it is the best type of truck for your way of life? Here is a comparison of the benefits and drawbacks of a Chevy dually truck and a. non-dually truck:
Dually
A dually truck, as was already mentioned, is a regular truck with an additional set of wheels at the back. Lack of style is not a factor in most people’s decisions to choose a dually over a non-dually truck; instead, it is a function. Greater capability is made possible by the additional set of wheels.
Pros
- expanded maximum payload and towing capacities.
- When it is windy, a trailer is more stable, adding safety when necessary.
- It’s ideal for a fifth wheel trailer or a bigger, heavier haul.
Cons
- decreased fuel efficiency
- Due to the wider and heavier body needed to accommodate the extra wheels, it may be harder to park and drive.
- The truck’s purchase price was higher.
- Without a load, the ride is less comfortable.
Non-dually
A typical four-wheel truck is a non-dually truck. Even though a non-dually truck has a smaller towing capacity, it still has many benefits. Additionally, a non-dually is a perfectly acceptable option for the majority of daily drivers.
Pros
- a truck alternative that is more reasonably priced.
- Better fuel economy.
- If you’re an everyday driver with little need to tow heavy loads, this vehicle is perfectly capable.
- without a load, the ride is more comfortable.
Cons
- When towing in windy conditions, the towing capacity is lower and the stability capacity is less.
- In the event of a blowout, duallies are more secure. It might be riskier if a tire blows out on a typical four-wheel truck.
- driving, parking, and handling are simplified.
You should choose a dually pickup truck if your job or way of life calls for you to be able to tow and carry the most weight while still maintaining the best traction and control on Sumner roads. On the other hand, a dually pickup is a fantastic choice if you don’t require a significantly high towing capacity and you’d like to save a few thousand dollars.
Are Dually Trucks Worth It?
If you want to use your truck for heavy-duty towing and hauling, a dually truck is worth the investment.
The additional stability and control that the four rear tires offer will undoubtedly make the dually truck worthwhile if you plan to tow a larger trailer through windy conditions.
Which Dually Truck Is The Best?
Here are a few of the top options, though many people will have their own preferences for the best dually truck. The Duramax turbo-diesel 6.6-liter V-8 engine that powers the Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD can tow up to 36,000 pounds. About 7,500 pounds can be loaded as payload.
Similar specifications apply to the GMC Sierra 3500HD model. The Allison 10-speed automatic transmission and the Prograde trailering system are additional options, though.
The Ram 3500HD has a maximum payload capacity of about 7,600 pounds and a maximum towing capacity of about 37,000 pounds.
Due to their exceptional hauling and towing capabilities, the Ford F-Series Super Duty trucks, both the 350 and 450 models, are among the best-selling vehicles. Their 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbo-diesel V-8 engine has a gooseneck tow rating of 37,000 pounds for some trim packages.
You’ll see that all of the models’ specifications are very similar. The maximum payload and towing capacities, however, are influenced by the bed length, cab length, engine type, and axle ratio. In order to buy a dually truck, it’s crucial to do your research.