| From | Message |
djorion911
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
4/21/2002
21:23:10
|
 Subject: Total Towing Weight!!!!!!!!!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
Hello everyone,
I am new to this board and am a potential Dakota truck buyer. The reson for wanting to buy a truck is because I am going to start towing my 1964 mustang and I needed a reliable, tough truck to be able to pull it off. I won't be able to purchase a new 2002-2003 model so I will have to go for the older 90's model. (nothing before the new design) Will this truck be able to pull this off? What kind of dakota will I need to look at? My towing ranges will be anywhere from 10 miles to over 50-60 miles! I dont want to be stranded on the side of the road and also am lookinf for a truck that brakes well. I currently own a 1989 jeep cherokee and the braking SUCKS!!! Any information will be grealty appreciated. Thanks guys!
|
handi2
GenIII
4/22/2002
07:32:53
|  RE: Total Towing Weight!!!!!!!!!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
It sounds like you will be towing a maximum of 4000 lbs. Any of the V-8 Dakota's will easily tow that weight even with the A/C on. You may have to upgrade the brakes to a better rotor and pads. Glad to see another Mustang..!
http://photos.yahoo.com/handi254310
2002 Quad Cab SLT Plus 4.7 Every Available Option
Access Tonnoue Cover/Bedrug/360 Air Intakez/Jet Stage 2
180 Robertshaw/Roadmaster Active Suspension
Street Scene Grill Inserts
|
Dak95
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
4/22/2002
08:08:21
| RE: Total Towing Weight!!!!!!!!!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
I tow up to 5000lbs with my 95 6cyl! I have trailer brakes though....makes all the difference in the world!
Mark
Valdosta, GA
95 CC 4X4
3.9L Auto
|
Demon-Xanth
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
4/22/2002
14:15:07
| RE: Total Towing Weight!!!!!!!!!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
If you're gonna tow more than 3000Lbs often, a trailer brake is heavily recommended.
|
scat pack
GenIII
4/22/2002
16:36:31
| RE: Total Towing Weight!!!!!!!!!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
Good advice, also look for or add a tranny cooler if automatic, and the 9 1/4 rear is the heavier duty if you can find it in an older Dak (12 bolt cover).
2K RC 4.7 4x4
|
djorion911
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
4/22/2002
19:08:58
|  RE: Total Towing Weight!!!!!!!!!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
Cool. So what model do you guys recomend me looking at? I dont want a 4x4 model causeI already have one and i NEVER use it. I definetly want a v8!!! Thanks guys!!!!!!!!!!!
|
CW
GenIII
4/22/2002
19:30:04
| RE: Total Towing Weight!!!!!!!!!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
I love the 5 speed as far as towing. Yes I have used both auto and manual transmissions. Mine will pull my 5000lb holiday trailer on the flat in fifth. Definitly go with the 3.92 gears.
2001 4.7 RC 5sp 3.92 LSD
Click on thumbnail for mods.
|
djorion911
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
4/22/2002
20:13:38
| RE: Total Towing Weight!!!!!!!!!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
so what model is the 3.92 gears come on? Is that a six or eight cylinder?
|
Halo3
GenIII
4/23/2002
08:35:41
| RE: Total Towing Weight!!!!!!!!!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
3.92's are available in basically all models....doesn't matter between auto/standard or RC/CC/QC. It's just a matter of finding one on a dealer's lot, ordering your truck with them, or having someone (off-road or drivetrain shop) install them.
Semper Fi,
Halo3
'00 Lt. Driftwood 4x4 SLT DQC w/5.9L
http://home.attbi.com/~quadcab
|
Todd W
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
4/23/2002
09:30:07
| RE: Total Towing Weight!!!!!!!!!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
I've towed quite a bit of stuff with my 2000 3.9L 5-speed with the 3.55 rear end. But if your going to be doing it regularly, I'd probally look at the 4.7L or the 5.9L, either should be adequate. I'd also look at the Club or Quad cab. I prefer the Club myself. I've got the regular cab, and while I love my truck, really am kicking myself for not getting the Club. :0/
Yes, trailer brakes needed! The brakes on the Dakotas aren't really anything to get excited over, they do the job, but with a fully laden trailer they need a bit of help. Not to mention that with that kind of weight behind you, it might get a tendancy to try and slide sideways on heavy braking (That was a ride).
|
Black Magic
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
4/23/2002
11:15:39
| RE: Total Towing Weight!!!!!!!!!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
I have a 4.7L Dak with the 4.55 rear end.
I tow a boat and trailer that weigh approx. 4,800lbs plus gear and people.
I havent had a problem towing it, but I'll be towing it to the East Coast quite a bit this year, currently live in Michigan.
I was considering changing to a 3.92 rear end. Would this be a worth while investment? Woudl I need to change anything else? Anyone know how much this mod would cost?
THANKS!
|
rtdkota
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
4/24/2002
12:18:04
| RE: Total Towing Weight!!!!!!!!!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
Well, having had 6 Dakotas.. and having a bit of towing experience, here's my view--
V8-- 5.2/5.9/4.7L all have plenty of towing power-- 5.9L most torque, the 4.7/5.2 about the same- Torque is what's going to do you the most good.
V6-- If you have any hills to deal with, you'd be best with a V8. Towing capacity of a V6 is around 4000# max. Anyone doing higher is exceeding the rating (sure you can do it, but that's a combined weight of near 8000#! Good way to kill a V6).
Transmissions-- I had both NV3500s and A-518s(46RE). The NV3500 was by far the better choice for me while towing a 4500#+ boat/trailer. The 4.01 first gear w/3.92 gearing was amazing-- I could Idle the truck out of a boat launch, without touching the gas pedal-- walk back, flip up the boat/trailer lock, and walk back and get back in the truck all the while it's idled 25' out of the boat launch with the boat on the trailer!!! The A-518 was good, but when having to give it that extra 'push' of the gas pedal on a grade it had to a tendancy to downshift (going too fast!) when the truck still had plenty of power to pull in Drive.
With a 5spd you can utilize all the power the truck has, whereas the auto can/and does downshift at all but max rpms.
A couple other things-- if you get a V8, make sure it has the optional (most all have it anyway) 22 gallon tank (nothing like towing, getting 11 mpg and having only a 15 gallon tank!!)
Towing with 3.92 gearing, and an auto trans will limit your towing speed to about 60mph MAX... That's in Drive, as OD towing isn't recommended. I've towed a '72 Dart on a heavy car trailer behind our '99 5.2 w/3.55 gears, and turning 3000 rpm in drive = 65-70 mph (not bad). Off the line towing power with that setup isn't the greatest, but once it's moving, all is well. My '95 5.2L with 3.92 and 5 speed was excellent, but again, 4th gear (OD isn't recommended) limited me to 60/65 max. The preferred combo, for both power and speed/economy would be a 3.55 geared NV3500 (5spd) truck (V8). The 4.01 1st and 3.55 is plenty powerful, and you'd have a better range of gears (towing in 4th)... with 5th gear and better economy when not towing.
5spd has a higher towing capacity than a auto (on my '95 it was 6700# vs. 6500#... not much). Though a 5spd doesn't have or need a trans cooler so you won't run as hot with a 5spd either. A V8, 5spd 3.55 or 3.92 is rated at 6700#, an auto is 6500#--- but both have a GVWR of 10500#... Take 4100# (average)weight for a Club Cab, subtract that from 10500 = 6400#-- take out your own weight/shell/passengers... you are in the 6000# range for both.
Brakes-- Dakota brakes suck. In CA., if you tow above 2000# trailer brakes are required by law... it's good advice to run either eletric brakes, or hydralic brakes on your trailer. My '95 stopped BETTER while towing my buddies boat w/disc brakes on his Hennessy trailer than not towing anything at all-- it was amazing.
Good luck!
Sam
www.socaldakota.com
|
| | P 1 |
|
Post a reply to this message:
Username Registration: Optional
All visitors are allowed to post messages
|
