Dually vs. single rear wheel with sled deck

[cadmo]

Does anyone have any experienc going from single to Dually on how much better it would be.

The wife doesnt like to pull a 2 place trailer with our suv so i get stuck driving both ways all the time. As i need a diesel for work now i hope a deck will be better.

Did the dually make a big difference with 30mph cross winds and winding mountian roads, like my treck from Calgary to Revy?

thanks for the input

 

[red]

Over 10+ years driving that section of highway, driven & rode in both single & dually. Hands down the dually is better just cause it has 2 extra tires. I have a dually, but it does cost more, as there is 2 more tires to replace. My deck doesnt collaspe on the sides, so its same with a rear of truck. If I had a single wheel truck, forsure would get a deck that collapes in. Guess it all depends what else your doing with the truck. Single is way easier to handle in town, everyday life etc. I also haul big truck camper in the summer.

 

[Engine Pro 5x]

I went the other way. I went from a dually back to a single wheel !! >>>>.

 

[dmkhnr]

If your in the $25k range, I've got an 06 Ford dually 4x4 lariat loaded to the hilt with 80k on it. It is pristine!!!

 

[cadmo]

3/4 and 1tons are all ready too big to fit in mall parking lots as they are, so walking i dont mind, and 2 extra tires ah big deal.

Its really if it will make the ride there at 5am and the return drive back home after a hole day getting home at 9pm, less driver envolved more of a set the cruse and hold the wheel with two fingers, thats what im really looking for.

with work i do need at least a 3/4 ton diesel short box, so i have to get at least that, i would like to just get rid of the *** puckering moments that i have had driving on the east side of Golden, as it is there is no way the wife will drive, it would be nice to sleep one way of the trip (a guy can dream lol)

 

[cadmo]

Also forgot,

I still need to move my house belongings to Calgary from Ontario, was thinking about buying a 20to 24ft race car trailer to move it my self, pay a couple extra grand and have something in the end vs moving company and nothing. It would be nice to have a trailer for the longweekend trips that everything is enclosed, heated and sleepable if need be as the road somtimes closes. Having a deck as well is possible as they both ca nstay at work and it can be lifted off via fork lift.

 

[ridgeclimber]

I would suggest you get a 1 ton diesel long box p/u. Why get a 3/4 ton when you can have a 1 ton. The 3/4 ton doesn't ride any better and with the 1 ton you will not have to worry about over loading it. With a long box you will have more cargo room. You can also have a sled deck and still pull a trailer. The sleds will not be hanging out so far that you can not connect your trailer. Single wheels are better for the wife but I prefer duallys for hauling, towing, handling and traction. The diesel is a no brainer if you are using your truck for any of these things. I have a 05 dodge 1 ton diesel long box with single rear tires, a bullydog programer with an exhaust brake. It is the best truck I have ever had. It works great. Good luck.

 

[red]

Somedays doesnt really matter what you have for a vehicle on hiway 1 east of Alberta. There is days that road is going to win. Couple years ago, 1ton dually pulling an enclosed trailer, 80kms an hr, the whole unit went sideways, the passenger door was leading, then it straighten out as we met a semi. I dont think your ever going to get to sleep on the way back. Rode with a few ladies, gf, etc over the years. They will never drive with a trailer. Oh well life goes on. If going dually might as well get the long box. Its a 1ton truck why the short box? Cant even haul plywood with the tailgate up. Whats 2 more feet? Mega cabs are build on the long box chassis.

 

[cadmo]

Oh i would only get a short box if i got a 3/4 ton and then just let the deck hang over, its not really #1. on the list its doing it kinda half way.

#1. Forsure is my fathers second truck a duramax 4x4 crew cab long box dually that he wants to get rid of.

But forsure long box with the dually i have rode in both and the long box just rides nicer with the longer wheel base, Ford wise.

I never for a second thought the wife would ever pull the trailer to Golden or Revy, it was her drive with the sled deck on the dually i nice weather. Thats the biggest question would the dually give enough stability and confidence for her with the deck.

I do not need the for a dually weight wise and im willing to drive and put up with the fender flares year around if it felt stabile, with a deck for her as i ride all the time with her.

If the dually wont do that and ill have to drive all the time anyways, i might as well stay with the 3/4 ton short box as its way eayser to drive in the city.

All responses are appericated
Thanks

 

[farwest]

I like my dually, but if your breaking trail it isn't as nice as a single wheel cause your cutting a second path with the outside rear tires.If you are moving to Ontario keep the trailer.

 

[B C]

I went from a 2500HD crew short to a 3500HD Crew long single rear wheel. The difference in handling was a huge improvement w/ the deck. I'm not a big fan of dually's in the winter or anytime for that matter, but they do serve a purpose.

 

[F-Bomb]

I love this setup and have for several years now! 6 studded snows so it feels nice and safe...my rolling house with all of the amenities. No longer or more difficult to drive then a regular four place v noser. A bit heavier but the entire outfit is super stable irrgardless of the wind and road conditions. Loaded 10mpg 65-75 freeway pulling for 175,000. 14mpg if I keep it at 55 on Oregon hwys. Also good in the summer for camping and such. Love the goose option and it would be tough to ever have a trailer that wasn't set up this way.

 

[red]

Likely dont remember it Rob, but I drove your truck north of the twin cities off to wild party that Jim put on with tough biker guys checking id @ the door. Sober Canuk driving drunk yankees around, it was a blast years ago. Also still have that B-wear vest, dont ride without it !

 

[cadmo]

thanks for all the input guys, im gona try the dually for next winter not sure if ill keep the trailer but the deck forsure so i can ride late spring.

 

[F-Bomb]

Good on the BWEAR! Me too.. almost daily. Still the best to date.

I remember! Those were the good ole' days fo sho. Oh the irony of stereotypical tomfoolery. I think my ears are still ringing from the 13th Step deal. Weird how many drunkin douche bags were in that place yet I didn't see even one minor issue! MORE WEIRD how the threat of being BIKERED can keep drunks in line. My competitive drinking days are over.....the recovery time is just to precious. Now I'm more of a conservative participant instead of vying for a top ten ranking.

Yep the beast rolls on. 175G's hoping for about 100 more or a sudden giant influx of cash-ola.

CADMO..I've had a deck on this shortbed dually as well. Add that 1400lbs plus and it was a solid sucker! If it wasn't worn to the bone I'd spend the dough on a flatbed so I could have both a trailer and a trailerless setup that is awesome. I did not like the loading aspect of the SD though and that is why I will have a flatbed for sleds and atv's next time. My friend over in LaGrande Oregon builds a super sweet combo of flatbed and sled deck and that is on my list for down the road when I have to get a new rig.

 

[glassman]

A dually with a deck and two sleds handles like a go cart. Hands down more stable than a single wheel truck. The dually with a trailer wont get as much traction as a single wheel due to the weight being spread between the extra tires. I have a 08 f350 dually and had a 06 chev 2500 before. The one tons ride alot firmer when empty but are great with a load on.

 

[papa bear]

Fbomb - looks like you have a gooseneck trailer - as do I

It was a hassle pulling the sleddeck off to pull the gooseneck.

went to a RV bed (flatbed) http://www.bradfordbuilt.com/4boxutility.htm

I have the single wheel version. Had to put outriggers on either side to get to 96 inches - to put two sleds or two ATVs on the flatbed.

structurally the bradfordbuilt has been good -but the paint lasted one year and then surface rust.

You indicated you have a friend that builds something similar? pictures?

 

[F-Bomb]

Actually he goes one GIANT step further. He built a sled deck for a single rear axel pickups flat bed. Really interesting concept. I've seen the expandable sides version of the flat bed so that guys can get the width required for two sleds or atv's. On the dually it's done but you still have to deal with a loading system. I gave my sled deck to a buddy who customized it to sit over the flat bed for a redneck version of this concept. The guy (Brian) from LaGrande Oregon did it out of aluminum and it is very very nicely professional. I've wanted to do the all in one setup like your Bradford style but on a scizzor lift and self contained ramp but Brian's system is pretty cool. It only weighed a couple hundred pounds and two guys could easily load and unload so you can have your flat bed function normally for work. Really cool deal...I thought he said he posted a photo on this forum but I dont know his user name. I'll work on it and report back. Looks sweet and very nice on his setup.

 

[tcpeterson]

I think hands down the dual wheels will handle better with a load. Our fire engine is an F-550 and it handles prett well with the 350 gallons and all of our stuff on it. Only a couple things come to mind against the dually. 1) i have noticed that some of the people on my crew have a hard time driving it down the highway in the ruts, it doesn't want to settle into them (don't know how your wife is with driving but this could pose a problem) 2) if you are thinking of being able to get down the road further in the spring the dually won't track as well as the single wheel.

That being said i've never owned a dually so.... Just thought i'd throw my .02 cents in there.

 

[sibola]

I've been driving a 2000 f350 single tired for 10 years now. It's buy far the best for a all around truck. Haul what you want when you want, but yet still take it to the grociery store. I've had up to 3 apexs on mine, handled it like nothing. Single wheeled trucks have better traction, even better than a dually studed. My personal preference is a long box super cab. My wife drives it no problem loaded or empty, she actually said she prefered driving it loaded. Hope this helps. Yes I have owned dually in the past, they have a place but only if your hauling a **** load of wieght continuosly.