GUIDE TO CHOOSING THE BEST TRUCK FOR 5TH-WHEEL TOWING
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Do I Need a Dually ?
In short , the answer is no — you don ' t necessarily need a dually ( dual rear wheel ) truck to tow a fifth-wheel trailer , but that doesn ' t mean you won ' t want one .
On one hand , single rear wheel trucks enjoy slightly greater fuel efficiency and offer greater visibility than dually trucks . It ' s also more economical to replace four tires than it is to replace six . Additionally , keep in mind that you won ' t always be using your truck for towing , so while it ' s important to choose a truck that can safely and efficiently tow your trailer , it ' s also important not to overlook everyday driving comfort . It ' s considerably easier to navigate through a drive-through or pull into a tight parking space with a single rear wheel truck than it is with a larger dually .
On the other hand , a major benefit of dually trucks is that they provide greater stability when towing a large fifth wheel , such as a toy hauler . A dually truck will typically have a higher weight capacity — again , an important consideration when towing something as large as a fifth wheel — and will cause less stress on the vehicle . Also , in the event of a rear tire blowout , you ' ll have backups already built in . You may not need a dually , but the extra set of wheels will certainly make for a steadier ride that in many cases will be worth the trade-offs , particularly if you plan on frequent towing .
The dual rear wheels on this dually result in a higher weight capacity
Our Recommendation : If you plan on frequently towing a large fifth-wheel trailer , a dually is an excellent choice for a more stable ride . However , if you plan on towing a smaller fifth wheel , or if you ' ll only be towing your trailer on occasion , then sticking with a single rear wheel truck will provide more day-to-day driving comfort .
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