If you're hauling heavy equipment, pulling a loaded flatbed, or running feed to the back forty every day, the configuration of your diesel truck matters as much as the engine under the hood. One of the most overlooked decisions farm and ranch buyers face: dually or single rear wheel? Get this wrong and you'll either be underpowered for the job or hauling more truck than you need.
What's the Difference Between a Dually and a Single Rear Wheel Truck?
A dually — or dual rear wheel (DRW) truck — runs two tires on each side of the rear axle, giving you four rear tires total. A single rear wheel (SRW) truck runs one tire on each side, like a standard pickup. Both configurations are available across the major diesel platforms: Ford's Powerstroke, Ram's Cummins, and Chevy/GMC's Duramax. The question is which one fits the work you're actually doing.
Here's what each setup does better:
Dually trucks offer higher payload ratings — often 6,000 lbs or more in the bed. They're more stable under heavy fifth-wheel or gooseneck loads, especially on uneven terrain or during crosswinds. If you're moving cattle trailers loaded to the limit or hauling heavy construction equipment, a dually is the right tool.
Single rear wheel trucks are more maneuverable, easier to park, and better suited for daily farm driving on tight paths, around barns, or through muddy fields. A 3/4-ton SRW with a Powerstroke, Cummins, or Duramax diesel can handle serious towing — often 18,000–20,000 lbs — without the added width of duals.
Which Setup Makes Sense for Your Operation?
The honest answer depends on two things: how much you're hauling and how you're getting there. A beef cattle producer who runs a loaded 24-foot gooseneck trailer three or four times a week needs the stability and capacity of a dually. A row crop farmer who occasionally pulls a planter or grain wagon to the field might find a 3/4-ton SRW does everything he needs at lower cost and with more flexibility around the farm.
Ask yourself these questions before you buy:
What's my heaviest regular load — trailer, equipment, or bed cargo?
Am I running highways or tight farm lanes most of the time?
Do I need to back into tight spots regularly?
What's my budget for tires? (Duallies run six tires — that adds up at replacement time.)
Don't Forget: Cab, Bed, and Engine Still Matter
Whether you go dually or SRW, the engine choice still drives long-term value and capability. Ford's Powerstroke delivers strong torque at low RPM — great for heavy pulls. Ram's Cummins is known for longevity and fuel efficiency under load. The Duramax in Chevy and GMC trucks offers smooth power delivery and solid towing numbers. All three platforms are available in both SRW and DRW configurations, so you don't have to sacrifice engine preference to get the axle setup you need.
Pair the right axle setup with the right cab (crew cab for families, regular or extended cab if it's strictly a work truck) and bed length (long beds give more cargo space; short beds are easier to maneuver), and you've got a rig built for your actual operation — not just someone else's idea of what a farm truck should be.
Browse Dually and SRW Diesel Trucks at Dykes Motors
At Dykes Motors in Collins, Mississippi, we stock both dually and single rear wheel diesel trucks — Powerstroke, Cummins, and Duramax — ready to work. We offer nationwide delivery and flexible financing, so geography doesn't have to be a factor. If you've got a truck in mind, we can help you find it or trade up from what you're running now.
Browse our current diesel truck inventory at dykesmotors.com/inventory.
Built for Work. Built for Farms.
