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LouNY
Dodge Dakota
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5/05/2003
18:55:42
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 Subject: Dakota or Ram
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Message:
just got back from dealer and im not convinced . i`ve got to tow a 4000lb travel trailer around hilly areas of northeast about 2 x year. dealer says i should go with Ram Quad 4x4 w/ 4.7 V8. The book and web site says no problem w/ Dakota W? V8.i`d rather have a more compact truck like Dakota.Dealer says the problem is length of trailer. (23ft) Help (before i give a deposit)
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modain
Dodge Dakota
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5/05/2003
20:02:53
| RE: Dakota or Ram
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Message:
The Dakota with the 4.7 and 3.92 rear-end will have no problem pulling itself and that trailer. I suggest going with a manual tranny if you plan to do a lot of towing. Towing heavy loads produces more heat, and auto trannies don't like excess heat. And hard towing kills OD units over time.
I don't know (or can't see) how the length of the trailer means much to either one of these trucks regarding towing. Besides, the Dakota QC is not much shorter than a Ram QC shortbed. Also, the factory hitch receiver is a Class IV, rated at 10,000#. Why such a "big" hitch if you shouldn't be pulling trailers weighing very much?
I would think that the brakes on the Ram are a little stouter than the Dakota, but if you're pulling something that heavy it better have its own brakes regardless of the tow vehicle.
The Ram is heavier than the Dakota, so the increased weight of the truck will cut into your GCVW rating. And the engine is quite powerful in the Dakota, but in a Ram QC I think it is not enough. My Dakota QC pulls 5000# up a 5-6% grade quite nicely.
Bottom line: get the Dakota with the 3.92 rear-end (make sure you get the LSD option) and you'll have a pleasant towing experience with your travel trailer. The gas milage is not very different compared to the 3.55 rear-end.
-----------
2002 Graphite QC SLT Plus, 4.7, 5spd, 3.92 LSD, loads 'o fun...
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brianman
Dodge Dakota
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5/05/2003
21:15:48
|  RE: Dakota or Ram
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the only reason to get the ram would be: better brakes and its wider stance and heavier weight give you alittle better control of heavy loads, but go with the dak.
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SilverstoneV8
Dodge Dakota
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5/05/2003
21:27:48
| RE: Dakota or Ram
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Message:
I tow a 21ft open car trailer with a 97 camaro on it with no problems whatsoever.(02 qc 4.7)
I picked the camaro up in Indiana and trailered it to New Jersey (700mi) with my 00 4.7 grand cherokee with ease.
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jas01dakon
Dodge Dakota
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5/05/2003
21:44:02
| RE: Dakota or Ram
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Message:
Think about it. The Ram and the Dakota have the same engine. The Ram is bigger and heavier but that's not always an advantage. The Dakota is no lightweight. I know because by brother ran over my foot with my truck last week.
The Dakota with a 4.7 will easily pull that 4000lb trailer but the Ram is bigger and somewhat sexier.
Oh, oh...now I've done it.
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Andy L
Dodge Dakota
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5/06/2003
10:34:23
| RE: Dakota or Ram
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Message:
How about the HEMI Ram?
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Chris
Dodge Dakota
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5/06/2003
10:39:43
| RE: Dakota or Ram
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Message:
One thing i noticed was that my new 4.7 gained a lot of spunk in the driving department after about 500-600 miles, like all at once like the computer was runnning it rich or something... so don't discount the 4.7 now, try to drive a used one if you can find it... much more comparable to real-world.
Chris
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ZZ
Dodge Dakota
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5/06/2003
21:32:35
| RE: Dakota or Ram
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Why does the dealer think you need 4 wheel drive?
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juniork
Dodge Dakota
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5/07/2003
00:45:07
| RE: Dakota or Ram
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i also have a 2001 ram besides my dak. pulling with the ram with the same size engine just gives more weight to pull, kind of doggy.
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LouNY
Dodge Dakota
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5/07/2003
11:51:07
| RE: Dakota or Ram
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Message:
i just need a all around vehicle, we get alot of snow here.
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macman37
Dodge Dakota
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5/07/2003
13:22:58
| RE: Dakota or Ram
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Message:
The '03 Dakotas have the Ram brakes on
them now, don't they? They're 4 wheel discs
now.
jim
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ZZ
Dodge Dakota
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5/07/2003
22:09:08
| RE: Dakota or Ram
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Message:
Regular cab still has drum brakes in the rear. Club cab and Quad cab have 4 wheel discs for 2003.
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LouNY
Dodge Dakota
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5/08/2003
19:35:18
| RE: Dakota or Ram
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Message:
thanks guys you conviced me, pickin up new Dakota SLT plus tomorrow w/ 4.7 and 392 rear, graphite w/ quad cab 4X4.gotta install class 3 hitch though, dealer wanted like $700. thanks again ,i`ll be talkin to you guys
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GTeaX
Dodge Dakota
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5/08/2003
20:24:57
|  RE: Dakota or Ram
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Message:
Ha, the hitch is EZ to install, dealer is rippin' you off, should have installed it gratis if you bought the truck, cheap SOB's! Good luck with it!
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ZZ
Dodge Dakota
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5/09/2003
06:36:21
| RE: Dakota or Ram
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Message:
Did you get the automatic or manual trans?
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Mr.H
Dodge Dakota
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5/09/2003
09:15:53
| RE: Dakota or Ram
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Message:
Any reason you went with 4wd for two times a year??
That'll kill any MPG you were hoping to get with that 4.7 and slow you down into the granny car performance category. I'd still love to have one (about 2wice a year)!
All that said , I hope it wasn't one of those pesky sales tactics to sell a more expensive truck like, "Oh, you're gonna be towing?!Yeah, you'll definitely want the bug shield, the fender flares, the little digital compass, power windows, the 16" wheels, we'll just give ya' all the power options and throw in the 4wd for, let's say $28,000 with tax. " "Thanks buddy, see ya"" Geez, did you see that guy I just sold that truck to for towing twice a year!! What a moron!"
I can hear the salesmen now.....
Not callin you a moron, just dissin on any DICKHEAD salesperson that'll push EVERY option on the unsuspecting when they think they can.
Just for reference I got mine for $11,500 with 8,000 miles on it with a 5 spd. 4.7, and the only cool stuff I got were the fender flares, 16" wheels (like those two!), and the overhead sunglasses holder and the center console, no power options whatsoever, just a nice and quick early Mustang and Camaro eater that'll supposedly pull 6,600 lbs. I belive it too, that sucker pulled a 18" RV and didn't even know it was back there!! As far as weight, mine is about 4000 or 4200, and that's real close to a reg. cab Ram, and with the QC you'll get those rear disc's I like so much. I got the rearend from a Dak with a towing package and unlike a lot of people say on these boards, they work great with the lower profile tires.
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