What Sets Dually Apart From Standard Trucks?

It could be hard to recognize the difference between a dually and a standard truck from afar. If you see both trucks drive closer towards you, their sizes become more discernible. You will also notice some variations in their appearance.

However, appearance is not what sets dually apart from the standard trucks you frequently see on the road. Let’s find out the distinct qualities of this widebody vehicle.

HISTORY OF DUALLYGM showcased the first-ever dually truck in 1973. Seven years later, Ford released their rendition of a dually model. Back then, they sold these vehicles as customizable chassis cabs or commercial trucks.

The early versions of dually do not come with a rear bed—which is one of the prominent truck parts that you see in regular pickups. Before, the manufacturers never paired the chassis of the dually with a typical eight-foot bed. Also, they did not put fender flares because tires often stuck out beyond the fenders.

The dually was used for heavy-duty commercial applications but never as a passenger top-end pickup option. GM, Ford, and other automakers built dually trucks with the capability for towing staggering sums of weight rated around 10,000 lbs.

DIFFERENT WHEEL SETUPDually trucks come with two extra rear wheels that make them more robust than the standard ones. The typical pickup truck has a Single Rear Wheel (SRW) setup with only four wheels in its axles. A dually truck has a Dual Rear Wheel (DRW) setup, so you get two extra rims in the rear axle. The additional rear wheels ensure balance and provide more contact with the road.

Some standard trucks cannot withstand extreme weather conditions. Dually has improved traction and stability, so you don’t have to worry if a strong gust of wind happens while you’re driving.

Single rear wheel counterparts may wobble and lose control if one rear tire has blown out. If a tire blow-out happens in a dually, it remains stable, and you can still keep it in control with the remaining three rear tires. In case of a tire blow-out, you can drive it a short distance and safely park the truck on the side of the road.

FOR DIFFERENT PURPOSESDually trucks are commonly used for commercial operations such as carrying construction building materials and haul heavy machinery. They can safely haul heavy loads, making them a logical choice for material suppliers, builders, contractors, and other businesses in the construction and landscaping industry.

Dually trucks can be used as the primary towing rig for people who love the outdoors and want to try the RV life. They can tow a sizable fifth-wheel camper and other motorized recreation vehicles like motorcycles, ATVs, jet skis, etc. Depending on the cargo, the trailers can weigh about 20,000 lbs. or more. They can transport trailers over extended distances because of their higher payload and towing capacities.

DRWs have superior weight capacities that allow you to haul heavy loads without difficulty. The extra wheels on this truck provide more advantages, especially when it comes to towing.

MORE HAULING POWERA few standard pickup trucks may have the capability to haul some items with extensive weight. However, they do not have the same level of power, handling, and stability you can get from dual rear wheel vehicles. They can pull heavy loads in a more controlled manner due to the larger and stronger rear axles. DRWs are also made with an extended fender to cover all the rear wheels.

All the wheels in a dually truck distribute the weight of the payload. It helps in supporting a massive weight without losing stability at varying speeds. It also ensures safety when using the vehicle for heavy-duty towing with a boat, horse trailer, or camper.

The axles in DRWs are more robust than the rear axle on SRWs. It is designed with a "full floating" configuration to handle the weight. The dually wheels spread out the added weight, so this heavy-duty vehicle lets you transport massive payload weight and pull heavy cargo when hooked on a trailer.

HICCUPS IN OWNING DRWDually has a larger fuel tank and is not as fuel-efficient as standard trucks, so the cost for gas or diesel is higher. This heavy-duty vehicle has a total of six wheels, so expect higher costs of maintenance as it needs extra tires.

Whether it is for commercial or personal use, you need to spend money on registration and insurance. Many companies offer insurance for a Ford F-350 and other dually models. Some states require insurance for DRWs, and owners must register them as commercial vehicles.

Parking a large truck can be tricky, especially in common parking spaces. Since they have a wider body, you will need a larger space in your garage to park them. Owning this type of vehicle has a few minor downsides, but the benefits still outweigh the drawbacks.

MODS FOR DRWYou can do many modifications in standard trucks, mainly if used for off-roading. Mods for DRW vehicles are minimal, but you can do these upgrades to boost the looks and improve the reliability of your rig.

Have you noticed any stiffness while you are driving the vehicle? If you use the dually often used for hauling, the stock suspension parts may be worn and require replacement. You can solve this problem by changing the old truck shocks with high-quality aftermarket shock absorbers.

The adjustable truck shocks improve the ride quality as you change the firmness or softness of the ride. The handling is also enhanced when you drive fast on the freeway or cruise at an average speed.

To add style to your vehicle, you may replace the stock with aftermarket brands like American Force Dually wheels. They have a long list of stylish rims for six-wheeled enthusiasts.

RELIABLE WORKHORSE RIGIf size, payload, and towing capacity are what matters for the vehicle you’re looking for, then a dually is an ideal truck. The well-known models are Chevy Silverado 3500, Ram 3500, GMC Sierra 3500 HD, and Ford F-350.

Dually trucks cannot be beaten for their impressive towing performance, substantial weight capacities, and exceptional rear-end traction. You get a more stable ride while pulling without compromising the braking performance. This vehicle ensures the safety of the passengers and the hefty load.

Jen's fascination with automotive starts when she was a kid because she likes cars more than dolls. Check out 4WheelOnline, one of the premier retailers of aftermarket truck parts. Get to see more automotive news and write-ups.