freestoneangler Posted January 31, 2015 Report Share Posted January 31, 2015 I'm considering a 3500 DRW, though I really don't want to as they look funny to me. The other thing I often hear is that they are useless in the snow. Since we will be living in snow country, that is a factor. I would be getting a 4WD version however. For those with experience using these on snow, what say you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpatrickc Posted January 31, 2015 Report Share Posted January 31, 2015 I'm not sure why someone would say they are useless in the snow. They are not as good as a SRW truck because the outside set of wheels must create it's own path thru the snow. That said I have never gotten stuck in mine and I don't have aggressive tires. They still out perform any of the AWD suv's out there by a big margin. 2006 Chevy Duramax, DRW, ext cab, Long bed, Reese 18K hitch 2011 Carriage Cameo Ham radio operator, WA3UOE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TXiceman Posted January 31, 2015 Report Share Posted January 31, 2015 We lived in NE Oklahoma and had some snow. I drove a DRW without 4 wheel drive as a daily driver. I put about 300# of sand in bags over the rear alxes and never had an issue with snow, even with a 2 wheel drive vehicle. If you the trailer you are towing has enough weight to require a DRW, you need a DRW truck. Kene Amateur radio operator, 2023 Cougar 22MLS, 2022 F150 Lariat 4x4 Off Road, Sport trim <br />Travel with 1 miniature schnauzer, 1 standard schnauzer and one African Gray parrot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KodiakJack Posted February 1, 2015 Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 We had a family emergency a couple weeks ago. We left the rig in Arizona and drove 1200 plus miles quickly to central Washington to be with family in our empty 1-ton. We overnighted in Twin Falls, ID and woke the next morning to several inches of heavy wet snow. This is my 7th 4x4 Chevy pickup but my 1st with DRW. Fifty years in Alaska provided me plenty of experience driving in winter conditions. As mentioned the outside rear wheels must cut their own paths since they do not track with the front tires (no one breaking trail sort to speak). Though this extra splashing/pulling can be felt I found I quickly became use to its feel and learned to compensate for it. This effect was not an issue in lightly or untracked/rutted snow regardless of depth. On the other hand in heavily rutted show all bets are off and you should slow down to compensate for the uneven push/pull that will occur from the ruts. These seemed pretty normal for the conditions and were no different with the DRW. Ice on the other hand can be felt much more readily due to the higher flotation from the extra tires. Two things to keep in mind 1) you only have four wheel drive (or any drive for that matter) when you have your foot on the gas so travel at a rate you can keep it there, and 2) do not use your cruise control. When your foot leaves the gas you rig is higher off the ground and heavier than a 2WD so keep it in mind. Love this DRW truck! Later, J 2012 Landmark, San Antonio 2013 Silverado CC, 3500HD, Duramax, DRW, 4x4 Backup, side and hitch cameras, Tireminder TPMS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Cochran Posted February 1, 2015 Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 I do not have a dually now but have had driven them for years but none 4X. While in snow or mud for that matter they are light in the rear not unlike a SRW. I think probably some of the criticizem in snow it a result of the rear flotation but I think because a lot of the criticizem is from those with diesel engines because of the extra weight they tend to bury the front end. If you need the dually and there is a lot of pluses go for it you will not regret at least I did not. 2019 Thor Chateau 28E on a Ford E450 chassis. Maybe awhile but will get a new picture forgive one up there it is my old rig. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lappir Posted February 1, 2015 Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 I will say my current Dually doesn't get around as good as my previous LGT, but if you know your limitations and tread carefully they can all be driven safely in most conditions. I used to work with an Ambulance service and it was an experience the first time it snowed and we realized the limitations of the dual rear wheels. I personally was never stuck but was riding when my driver decided to plow through several drifts, unfortunately the last drift was twice as wide as the previous 4 and our speed had steadily decreased with each of the previous drifts. We made it to within a few inches of clearing but when we stopped we were done. I opened the hood of the van and found the front end completely packed with snow. With the fan turning keeping the snow from stopping it. (thankfully). I used a 1999 F 350 in Utah one winter and didn't have a problem. I did have a tractor tire inner tube filled with sand sitting on the bed just in front of the tail gate but i didn't have snow tires. I put new steer tread tires on just before heading out there. Stopping was more of an issue than going. Rod White 2000/2010Volvo VNL 770 with 7' Drom box with opposing doors, JOST slider hitch. 600 HP Cummins Signature 18 Speed three pedal auto shift. 1999 Isuzu VehiCross retired to a sticks and bricks garage. Brought out of storage the summer of 2022 2022 Jeep Wrangler Sport S Two door hard top. 2007 Honda GL 1800 2013 Space Craft Mfg S420 Custom built Toyhauler The Gold Volvo is still running and being emptied in July. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skp51443 Posted February 1, 2015 Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 When carrying weight for traction think about it in a sudden stop, a friend got a nasty set of dents when his weight (frozen into a solid chunk) came forward and slammed into the front of the bed. It doesn't take anything fancy to keep it in place, a couple loops of rope or cargo straps is plenty, likely won't stop it if you hit something hard but then you'll be fixing other dents anyway. First rule of computer consulting: Sell a customer a Linux computer and you'll eat for a day. Sell a customer a Windows computer and you'll eat for a lifetime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobsallyh Posted February 1, 2015 Report Share Posted February 1, 2015 I own a dually two wheel drive and a friend owns a four wheel drive. To both us, both of them are like a pig on ice. Having had a Ford F-450 (two wheel) at work with a utility body and bucket on, the weight never helped either. I never really looked at them as funny because I want something that works and the dually with our fiver works out great. But then since I retired there will never be anymore snow or ice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray,IN Posted February 2, 2015 Report Share Posted February 2, 2015 My 2002 Chevy Duramax dually does quite well in snow, and muddy CG's too, even though I run B.F. Goodrich all-season tires instead of snow/mud grips. Sure i'ts a bit more difficult to drive in the city, that just means I park further from stores and get much needed exercise walking another 100 yards. The stability of a dually cannot be matched by any single rear wheel truck when towing/hauling a heavy load. My wife likes to drive our dually, even though it is a crew cab, long bed, 4WD. 2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA ." And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy 20 Jan 1961 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spindrift Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 You never said why you are considering a DRW. There is absolutely nothing I don't like about our truck, and it's been in mud, snow and everything in between. I think one of the mistakes some folks make with their DRW is rear tire pressure. If you air those tires like your SRW truck, you won't gain the traction and you surely will suffer a rough ride. 2012 F350 KR CC DRW w/ some stuff 2019 Arctic Fox 32-5MCindy and Tom, Kasey and Maggie (our Newfie and Berner) Oh...I forgot the five kids. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimalberta Posted February 4, 2015 Report Share Posted February 4, 2015 Spindrift makes a very good point. The thing with a dually is you need to adjust tire pressure fairly often. My dually I ran 50 psi when towing with a 2500 lb pin weight. But when driving the trck without the fiver I would lower the pressure down to 35 psi. These were according to Michelin's pressure chart. If you leave the rear tires aired up for towing all the time you will experience a rough ride and you will definitely not have as good traction. The other thing about duals is they spread the weight out over the footprint of 2 tires on each side versus a single tire on srw trucks. Its not about the rear tire having to plow its way through snow , its more about the amount of weight per square inch on the road. <p>....JIM and LINDA......2001 American Eagle 40 '.towing a GMC Sierra 1500 4X4 with RZR in the rear. 1999 JEEP Cherokee that we tow as well. IT IS A CONTENTED MAN WHO CAN APPRECIATE THE SCENERY ALONG A DETOUR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCooter Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 I don't duallys as a huge negative in snow. We camp year round and travel off road in snow/mud. Like posted above....They are not quite as nice as SRW and correct air pressure is key! 26psi unloaded for us and 52psi loaded. Obviously you would want to get valve extensions so it makes adjusting tire pressure easier.... 1999 Peterbilt 385 C12 430/1650 13spd 2006 Dodge 3500 DRW 4x4 2010 Hitchhiker Champagne 36 LKRSB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NTPA Announcer Posted February 15, 2015 Report Share Posted February 15, 2015 When I had my 04 F-350 4 x 4 Crew cab I ran the rears a little softer than the fronts. I also built a jig out of 2 x 4's that went to the front and filled it with concrete and a rebar loop. Pull the B&W hitch, Set it in in the fall, take it out in the spring. Worked great. Also if your going to be pulling into a drift , a lot of times I would back into it first to "bust " it a little , turn around and when you go through, mean it Did I get stuck? Yes once in a while when I should have known better... Denver and Ms Judy Geitgey 2006 VOLVO 780 41 ' Redwood NTPA Event Announcer dngeitgey@gmail.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truckman Posted February 16, 2015 Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 Never used 4 wheel drive in single wheel more or less than a dually, on both I could get to my drive but not make it to the house and park in my spot, Good tires make a bigger difference than dually/single rear wheel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickS Posted February 21, 2015 Report Share Posted February 21, 2015 I use a 3500 DRW for my daily driver up here in snowy Canada.....no real problem. Rick & Carey,Excel W41GKE Wild Cargo Toyhauler Volvo 730, D13, I-shift, 500/1850Brabus Smart Car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurtsara Posted March 9, 2015 Report Share Posted March 9, 2015 When your foot leaves the gas you rig is higher off the ground and heavier than a 2WD so keep it in mind. Love this DRW truck! Later, J What does this mean? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helipilot Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 DRW works fine for me in snow. I chain the outer wheels if really slick and packed snow. So shift truck into neutral to stop since 60% of the braking is in the front. Roger and Barbara On the pale blue planet, retired and happy. 2011 DRV MS 36RSSB3 2015 GMC Crew Cab Duramax DRW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TXiceman Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 So you see that better than 2 to 1 do not have any issue with rear wheel drive only in the snow. The biggest thing I have seen is that you have to know how to drive in the snow. Slow and easy and not like driving on regular dry pavement. Ken Amateur radio operator, 2023 Cougar 22MLS, 2022 F150 Lariat 4x4 Off Road, Sport trim <br />Travel with 1 miniature schnauzer, 1 standard schnauzer and one African Gray parrot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KodiakJack Posted April 7, 2015 Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 When your foot leaves the gas you rig is higher off the ground and heavier than a 2WD so keep it in mind. Love this DRW truck! Later,J What does this mean? Just a BFOTO (blinding flash of the obvious) and a reminder that besides slippery surfaces physics are involved, i.e. centrifugal force. Which is greater for a heavier, higher, mass in motion than a lower less heavy mass in motion regardless of speed. Later, J 2012 Landmark, San Antonio 2013 Silverado CC, 3500HD, Duramax, DRW, 4x4 Backup, side and hitch cameras, Tireminder TPMS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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