Dually Truck Width: Guide and Comparisons

Dually trucks are strong and stable for heavy loads. But, do you know how wide is a dually truck? Knowing this helps drive safely.

Usually, these trucks are around 79.4 to 81.8 inches wide, but sizes vary. This width affects how you drive and park. Knowing this width is crucial, especially in tight spots. It stops bumps and keeps things safe.

Why is the Width of a Dually Truck Important?

Knowing how wide a dually truck is makes driving safer and simpler. Here’s why understanding this measurement is really helpful:

Safety First: A dually truck is wider than most cars. When we know exactly how wide it is, we can avoid hitting things on the road and keep everyone safe.
Maneuverability: Driving a big truck through narrow streets can be tough. But if we know the truck’s width, we can plan better routes and avoid tight spots.
Parking Made Easy: Finding the right parking spot for a big truck can be hard. When we know how wide our truck is, it’s easier to find spots where we won’t bump into other cars or buildings.
Lane Selection: On wide roads, knowing our truck’s width helps us pick the best lane. That way, we won’t scrape against things on the side of the road.
Bridge and Tunnel Clearance: Some bridges and tunnels have size limits. If we know our truck’s width, we can avoid getting stuck or causing damage when we go through them.
Off-Road Adventures: When we’re off-roading, knowing the width helps us decide if our truck can handle the trails without getting stuck or damaged.

How to Measure the Width of a Dually Truck

It’s important to measure your dually truck’s width accurately for parking, safety, and following rules. Here’s a simple guide to help you do it right.

Gather Your Tools: Grab a measuring tape or digital caliper long enough to cover your truck’s width.
Find a Good Spot: Park your truck on a flat surface, so it stays steady while you measure. This helps you get accurate numbers.
Measure Across: Start at one side and put your measuring tool flat, touching the outer edges of the tires.
Note the Numbers: Whatever number you see on the measuring tool, write it down. That’s your truck’s width at that spot.
Repeat on the Other Side: Do the same on the other side, making sure the tool touches the outer edges of the tires again.
Double-Check: Take a few more measurements at different spots across the width. This helps catch any small differences because of tire pressure or suspension.

Tips for Accurate Measurements

Check Tire Pressure: Inflate your tires properly. This helps you get the right measurements, following what the manufacturer suggests.
Measure the Widest Parts: Measure at the widest point of your truck, including things like mirrors or extra parts that stick out.
Handle with Care: Be gentle when placing the measuring tool. You don’t want to scratch your truck or damage your tires, so handle it carefully.

Standard Dually Truck Width and Specifications

Most dually trucks are usually between 79.4 to 81.8 inches wide – according to VehQ. ^[1] That’s including the tires on both sides of the back wheels. But, different trucks might have different widths.

- Truck Models: Some trucks are wider or narrower because of how they’re built. Big, heavy-duty trucks might be wider to carry more weight or stay steady. Smaller trucks might be narrower to move better in cities.
- Manufacturer Specifications: Each truckmaker might have their own sizes for dually trucks. Most follow the usual sizes, but it’s good to check what the maker says about a specific truck. That way, we know exactly how wide it is and if it’s different from the usual.

Modifications: Changing things like the wheels or adding custom parts can make a dually truck wider. So, it’s important to know about any changes we make when we’re measuring the width.

Comparing Width: Dually Trucks vs. Single-Wheel Trucks

Dually trucks, also known as dual rear wheel (DRW) trucks, are wider than single-wheel trucks. They measure between 79.4 to 81.8 inches wide because they have an extra set of wheels at the back on both sides. This helps them stay steady and carry heavier loads.

On the other hand, single-wheel trucks, also called single rear wheel (SRW) trucks, are narrower. They’re about 70 to 80 inches wide, depending on the model and brand. These trucks have only one wheel on each side at the back, making them a bit easier to handle, especially in tight spaces like city streets.

Dually Truck Bed Width and Dimensions

Dually truck beds are usually between 50 to 60 inches wide. They’re awesome for carrying stuff like construction gear, tools, or fun things for outdoor activities.

More Room for Stuff: These beds are wider than regular truck beds, so they can handle bigger things like furniture or large wood sheets. This is great for people in construction or moving jobs.
Steady and Safe: The wider bed helps keep things stable when you carry heavy or wide loads. The extra wheels at the back spread the weight, so the truck doesn’t wobble when you’re driving. That keeps your stuff safe and secure.
Extra Space for Gear: Because these beds are wider, you get more space to store things. You can put toolboxes, camping gear, or sports equipment easily. It helps you stay organized and bring along everything you need.
Customize Your Ride: The wider beds give you options for adding things like liners or hooks to make it work better for you. It’s a cool way to make your truck fit exactly what you need.

Dually Truck Axle Width and Its Impact

A dually truck’s back axle is like its support system. It holds up the weight and sends power from the engine to the wheels. Instead of one wheel on each side, there are two in the back, making it wider.

Then, there’s the front axle, steering and helping the front wheels. It’s a bit narrower but adds to the truck’s overall width too.

Stability: Wider back axles on dually trucks mean more stability. With two rear wheels spreading the weight, the truck stays steady, less likely to tip or wobble. This is a big deal, especially when carrying heavy stuff or towing, making driving safer and more under control.
Load-Bearing Capacity: Because of their wider axles, dually trucks can handle heavy loads like champs. Those extra back wheels help share the weight, so the truck can carry more without wobbling. This is huge for jobs like construction, farming, or towing big things where safely hauling a lot of stuff matters a ton.

Factors Influencing Dually Truck Width

Let’s break down why dually trucks are wider than regular ones. There are a few things that affect their width, like tire size, wheel offset, and changes you might make to the truck.

Tire Size: The tires on dually trucks are wider because they have two wheels on each side. Choosing different sizes or shapes of tires can change how wide the truck is.
Wheel Offset: This is about how much the wheels stick out. Changing the wheels or modifying them can also change how wide the truck is.
Modifications: Adding things like wheel spacers or special fender flares can make the truck wider. Wheel spacers push the wheels apart, and special fender flares cover the wheels and allow for bigger tires, which can change the truck’s width.

It’s important to be safe and follow the rules when changing your truck. If you’re thinking about making modifications, it’s a good idea to talk to experts. They can help you make sure your truck stays safe and legal while still looking and performing the way you want.