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ABeland
Dodge Dakota
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6/01/2005
09:15:20
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 Subject: towing
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Message:
I have a 93 with a 3.8L V6 2 wheel drive. I was just wondering about the ability of my truck to pull an 18' camper. It is older so it is heavy but not sure of the exact weight. I have a class 3 hitch installed.
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Kowalski
GenIII
6/01/2005
10:00:55
|  RE: towing
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Message:
You'll know its back there, especially on the hils; but you should be able to tow that OK. Make sure you load it so there's some tongue weight; if you try to load to keep weight off your truck it won't handle well. You might want to consider a transmission cooler if you have an automatic.
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tc
Dodge Dakota
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6/01/2005
11:16:35
| RE: towing
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Message:
I'm guessing you really have the 3.9L, and you need an automatic to tow. the actual tow rating for your truck is somewhere between 4500-5100 lbs depending on your rear axle ratio. and you REALLY NEED an auxiliary transmission cooler to tow that much weight. any full-service uhaul shop can install one for you - as can any trans shop. I'm also guessing that this is a travel trailer and not a pop-up. Aerodynamics come into play here - but keep your speed reasonable, watch your gauges, and you should be ok - providing your cooling system is in good shape.
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Kowalski
GenIII
6/01/2005
12:20:21
| RE: towing
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tc - I assumed that was a typo on the 3.9; but there's no reason you can't tow with a standard. I doubt the six is rated to tow what you claim, that's what I'm rated for with the 4.7. I don't think he's looking at towing that much weight though, I'd guess 3000 - 3500 lbs for that length camper.
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tc
Dodge Dakota
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6/02/2005
18:20:50
| RE: towing
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The tow rating on my 3.9 is (at least according to the book and a few towing guides) 4500 lbs. although I think it would be a stretch except on level ground! I should have qualified my statement regarding AT vs. MT usually a mfr will specify an AT for towing above a certain limit - frequently 2000-3000 lbs. This is to limit warrantly issues on clutches but also to gain the torque multiplier ability of a torque converter on an AT. I have no idea what the weight of that size trailer is (all of the trailers I sell in the 20-24' range are from 4000-5000 lbs) - but the frontal surface area of the trailer will push the truck towards its limit. Yes, I am disappointed in the tow limit for the 4.7; considering it's predecessor (the 5.2) could tow alot more. I've towed my boat(around 3500 lbs) 20K miles with two different 4.0L (Jeep) engines and had no problems. except, oddly enough, the one time I towed my pontoon boat 200 miles. the boat should weigh 2000lbs on the trailer, but the engine ran very warm and the rear end spit out fluid. It must be the drag because the same truck pulled the heavier (but more aerodynamic boat) later with no prob
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Kowalski
GenIII
6/02/2005
18:57:56
| RE: towing
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I wouldn't say the 5.2 is rated to tow a lot more than the 4.7 - I compared a '99 5.2 like my '00 and the difference was only 500 lbs. A 3.9 would have to have specific eqipment to tow 4500, not all are rated for that. Only the higher geared 4.7 is rated around 5000, with the lower gears rating is more like 7000. Your right about the wind drag though - my more aerodynamic 5000 lb fifth wheel camper tows as easily as my old 17' tag along that was almost a ton lighter.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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jayb
Dodge Dakota
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6/02/2005
23:54:06
| RE: towing
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Message:
either way, dakotas, regardless if they have more horsies than other trucks or not, tow way more than other mid sizes.
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