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deerridge
Dodge Dakota
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1/12/2004
14:16:17
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 Subject: Tow Capacity
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Message:
How do you calculate tow capacity? All manufacturers give tow capacities for various truck configuations by motor/hp/torque and load capacity, but the variance between them makes no sense. Tundra 4.7-7200 lbs, Silverado 4.8-7200, Ram 1500 4.7-7700 and then the Dakota 4.7 at 6300 Lbs. The running gear motors, rear ends, axils etc are about equal Weight varies- 4000 for the Dak, 4800-Ramm and 4400 for the Tundra and Silverado. The bed load capacity on the Dak is as good or greater than the others. Mine pulls a three horse trailer better than the 5.7 Silverado I used to pull it with. Any answers out there?
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tkhuber
Dodge Dakota
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1/16/2004
02:06:00
| RE: Tow Capacity
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You're right, it makes no sense. As gps_jetskier described it in the thread below, "It's a bunch a guys pulling crap around a test track and then giving everything a rating. I've seen it done." SWAG - scientific wild-ass guess.
http://www.dodgedakota.net/boards/gen/12748.html
Tom Huber
'03 CC 4x4 4.7 AT 3.55 LSD
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tkhuber
Dodge Dakota
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1/16/2004
02:07:57
| RE: Tow Capacity
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dang. take 2:
http://www.dodgedakota.net/boards/gen/12748.html
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deerridge
Dodge Dakota
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1/16/2004
10:18:27
| RE: Tow Capacity
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I've been puzzled by this every since I got my Dakota and before. I've found a couple of methods that make some sense. The GVWR, 5900 lbs on mine, plus 2000 lbs and there is a formula for tow trucks I found that considers curb weight and and axil capacity along with wheel base and rear overhang that seems more logical. It calculates to 6900 on the Dakota. THe old dealer rule of thumb was 1.5 times the curb weight. None of these consider better brakes, more power, or better sway bars. You guys heard of anything more logical?
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Exocet
Dodge Dakota
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1/16/2004
20:58:03
|  RE: Tow Capacity
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How much of tow ratings is marketing? If the Dakota had a higher tow rating, it would take sales away from the Ram. The profit on a Ram is greater than the profit on a Dakota. Therefore, the Dakota gets down graded.
I've always wondered why a Jeep Grand Cherokee with a 4.7/auto/3.73 is rated to tow much more than a Dakota 4.7/auto/3.92. The Dakota has a long wheelbase and a frame as opposed to a short wheelbase and unit body for the Jeep. The GCVWR of the Jeep is almost 1000 lbs higher than the Dakota. Go figure.
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deerridge
Dodge Dakota
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1/17/2004
10:46:44
| RE: Tow Capacity
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I think you hit right on the head. When I got my Dakota last year all the other v-8 short beds were close to $5000 more. What would you try and sell? Bang for the buck the Dakota is awsume. My 4.7 AWD with the 3.92 and the handling package has pulled around 8000 lbs easily and drives and handles like a sports car in any weather, on any road or no road. I've got 30000 on mine and its my farm truck. Its never in even coughed under any load. I hate driving anything else. "Boreing!"
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TM
Dodge Dakota
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1/17/2004
15:09:13
|  RE: Tow Capacity
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Its like this. If you tow above the manufactors rating and something breaks. Then then your truck is no longer coverd.
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deerridge
Dodge Dakota
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1/17/2004
16:20:00
| RE: Tow Capacity
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Message:
TM, look at my milage. I won't be covered in a year or so anyway. I had 160000miles on my 1992 Silverado which I special ordered and still have. I expect to put 300000 on the Dakota. It has more torque and HP than the 350 TBI and weighs 1600 pounds less. It can't work as hard. The bulk of the running gear is the same as the 1500 Ram rated at 9200 Lbs. with the Hemi so where's the risk? Most of the time I'm under the max when I tow anyway (two horses instead of three).
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