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tr-19
Dodge Dakota
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9/07/2005
22:57:30

Subject: 04 v-6 towing
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2004 std cab 3.7L V-6 3:92 gear ratio auto tranny.Want to tow 2800lb boat I have installed transmission cooler,synthetic lube in the rear end,load leveler shocks, class three hitch, towing on small to medium hills but mostly flat roads. Is towing this boat going to be a problem? Thanks



.boB
Dodge Dakota
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9/07/2005
23:05:09

RE: 04 v-6 towing
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Not at all. It will take you a little time to get up to speed, but 2800# is a real small trailer load.





GraphiteDak
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9/07/2005
23:07:09

RE: 04 v-6 towing
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Let them gears do the work :)





Craig
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9/07/2005
23:33:22

RE: 04 v-6 towing
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No problem there man. I can say I've towed a 2000 pound (empty) car transporter up my driveway which was about as steep as it comes. Depending on how steep your boat ramp is, 4 Lo might help pull her out of the water a little easier, but I generally think that 2800 lbs will not be too big of a deal for a Dakota. With the manual I've pulled up to about 4500 lbs with no issues- it's a bit sluggish pulling that big of a load though.

You will ultimately gain a lot of respect for the 3.92 gearing!



daddio
Dodge Dakota
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9/08/2005
07:56:42

RE: 04 v-6 towing
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if you want to check tow ratings check this out: http://www.dodgedakota.net/boards/v8/8950.html and scroll down to the post by modain. he put in a link.



STS
Dodge Dakota
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9/08/2005
15:44:28

RE: 04 v-6 towing
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Well if you seen Minivans or Ford crown vics pulling long silver campers then go figure.



STS
Dodge Dakota
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9/08/2005
15:44:28

RE: 04 v-6 towing
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Well if you seen Minivans or Ford crown vics pulling long silver campers then go figure.



CSzalai
Dodge Dakota
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9/08/2005
15:51:23

RE: 04 v-6 towing
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I towed a 25foot flagstaff travel trailer through the irish hills in michigan water tank filled to the top and all the other gear to go to michigan speedway 70mph down the freeway no prob...almost forgot weight was somewhere around 4000 lbs. Just make sure you get a equilzer hitch



Kowalski
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9/08/2005
16:40:11

RE: 04 v-6 towing
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You should be fine without the equilizer hitch - I've never seen one used on a boat. You should pull fine, just watch your braking, especially on downhills just after you've pulled out of the water and brakes are wet. Have surge brakes on the boat trailer ? Good idea with that weight.

Lead, follow, or get out of the way

Craig
Dodge Dakota
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9/08/2005
18:07:08

RE: 04 v-6 towing
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That's a good point- braking on that trailer would be wise, whether surge or electric. Many people have a hard time getting electric brakes to work properly, but I've towed tens of thousands of miles with electric brakes and not a bit of trouble. You just have to set the sensitivity dial and as long as you get a feel for that, everything works good. Of course most trailers aren't wired too well, and neither are most trucks...

If you set up an equalizing hitch with sway control properly you will probably find towing more enjoyable. I've not towed a tremendous ammount with my Dakota, but I've towed trailers a lot. At the very least don't cheap out on your hitch setup- buy the best components available.



scott1981
Dodge Dakota
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9/08/2005
22:11:38

RE: 04 v-6 towing
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i tow my suzuki samurai on a double axle trailor through hils with my 4x4 v-6 with no problems. i would say it is about 3k and i have no problems.



Kowalski
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9/10/2005
09:12:07

RE: 04 v-6 towing
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Craig - the trailer wiring for electric brakes is very basic - I've fixed several by simply finding where wire was broken and splicing - but this system is uncommon on boats because axles get submerged. Equalizing hitches are also uncommon on boats - I've never seen one in many years of boating. They are typically used when the trailer has excessive tongue weight for the vehicle. Boat trailers don't need one as the motor in the back usually means not too much tongue weight. Trailer sway is also easily addressed by proper loading - about 10% of the weight of the trailer should be on the tongue - trailers with insufficient tongue weight sway badly. It's great some of you guys are aware of electric brakes and weight distributing hitches for towing; but not very aplicable to boat trailering.

Lead, follow, or get out of the way

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