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Dex
Dodge Dakota
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6/30/2005
17:32:09
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 Subject: 3.9L Towing Casita?
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Message:
I'm thinking of towing a Casita Travel trailer with my 2000 Quad Cab 3.9L 4X4 Sport with the tow package, 3.55 gears
http://www.casitatraveltrailers.com/17-layout.html
The specs say it weights 2,400LBS. Those that have one say it is about 3,000LBS loaded.
I want to make a trip to Alaska through Colorado, Idaho etc.
What kind of towing experience can I expect?
I've never towed anything before.
2000 Quad Cab 4X4-Sport V-6 Automatic Sports Plus Package
31X10.5 tires, Limited Slip, 3.55 Gears, Trailer Tow Group, HD Package,LineX Spray in bed liner; Added:Airaid air filter & heat shield, Flowmaster 3 chamber muffler, Steel Horse Torneau cover, front hitch, Autolite Double Platinum 3923 Plugs, Removed air horns from Throttle Boddy, added new TB bolts, Cool Tape around air filter and A/C tubes, Amsoil in: crank case, differential and tranfercase.
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Kowalski
GenIII
7/02/2005
08:24:38
| RE: 3.9L Towing Casita?
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Since you already have the tow package, you should find it easy to add an electronic trailer brake controler. Tekonsha is a popular brand many of us have had good luck with, this will help you stop safely. As you are new to trailer towing, one of the most important things to know is how to distribute the load of whatever you're hauling in the trailer. Tongue weight is important; too little and the tail will try to wag the dog, pushing you in turns, etc. Many make the mistake of loading coolers and other gear to the rear, thinking truck will be happier with less load on the rear - avoid this mistake. Happy camping !
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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Dex
Dodge Dakota
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7/02/2005
18:46:54
| RE: 3.9L Towing Casita?
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Message:
Kowalski,
Thanks for the advise.
Do you think the V6 3.9L is up to the job?
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Kowalski
GenIII
7/03/2005
08:19:39
| RE: 3.9L Towing Casita?
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Message:
I pull almost twice that with the 4.7 with no problems, but I'm not as familiar with the 3.9. I believe you're within the tow ratings.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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Mr. Mopar
Dodge Dakota
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7/03/2005
17:11:55
| RE: 3.9L Towing Casita?
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Message:
You should have no trouble with the 3000 lb. Trailer. I pull an 18ft. trailer that weighs in @ 4000 lbs loaded and I have a 2000 CC 3.9 V6 Dakota with 3.55 gears. I can't pull it in overdrive, although you never should. I have the IAT mod, crank sensor mod, K & N drop in filter with home made ram air to the front of the grill and ported stock throttle body.
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Dex
Dodge Dakota
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7/03/2005
22:38:55
| RE: 3.9L Towing Casita?
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Message:
Mr. Mopar,
Thanks for the reply. I'm thinking of retiring and right after I retire I'm going from Georgia to Texas to pick up the Casita and start the trip to Alaska.
I would hate to have to get to Texas or Colorado and find out the engin was too weak for the trip.
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tc
Dodge Dakota
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7/05/2005
21:36:47
| RE: 3.9L Towing Casita?
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Message:
Texas (or any reasonably level ground) will be no problem; you will slow down a bit in the mountains or on big hills - just be patient - you will make it - but under those circumstances there is no substitute for more cubes (a v8). I pulled 3500 lbs with my 4.0L Jeep for many 10's of thousands of miles. change your tranny fluid occassionally.
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New Owner
Dodge Dakota
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7/07/2005
08:55:11
| RE: 3.9L Towing Casita?
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Message:
I have checked into towing an rv with my 2004 QC 3.7 and have been told it will handle up to 4300lbs and i just pulled about 2000 lbs with it and it pulled great. When i hitched up, the suspension move about 1/2 inch. I have also been told that the truck will handle more that the engine will so just make sure you not overloading the engine and you should be good
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jayb
Dodge Dakota
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7/08/2005
13:35:13
| RE: 3.9L Towing Casita?
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Message:
ill tow a god damn house with my dak if i have to.
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nanook
Dodge Dakota
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7/10/2005
10:03:01
| RE: 3.9L Towing Casita?
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Message:
Dex,
I too have towed my trailer with my Dak. I have a 2002 SXT 5spd with 3.92 gears. I believe my truck is rated to tow 4550lbs. I towed from Cali to Mississippi and had no problem maintaining 55 mph even up hill. Occasionally I hit 80 mph (not recommended). Like it was previously stated get a trailer brake. One other thing to keep in mind is that clothes and other personal items add up quick. Especially water = 8lbs a gallon. I believe the weight of yourself and the passengers also count against your total. Good luck.
Nanook
2002 SXT 4x4, extreme air intake, gibson exhaust
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Dex
Dodge Dakota
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7/10/2005
21:19:46
| RE: 3.9L Towing Casita?
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Message:
nanook,
Thanks for the info.
Is yours a Quad Cab like mine?
I have 3.55 gears so mine may be rated to tow a bit less.
I was planning on the electric brakes.
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nanook
Dodge Dakota
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7/11/2005
00:13:59
| RE: 3.9L Towing Casita?
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Message:
Dex,
No, my truck is the club cab. One other thing I forgot to let you know was that my MPG's really sucked when I was towing. My wife has a 2003 Z71 Tahoe and we towed the same trailer from Camp Pendleton to Seattle and her Tahoe pulled it like it was nothing. Even through the mountains where my truck would bog down some her Tahoe didn't seem to mind a bit. But she won't let me take that thing on a trail run. Especially, after she saw the damage my brother and I put on my Dak.
Nanook
2002 SXT 4x4, 5 spd, 3.92 gears, LSD, Extreme Air Intake, Gibson exhaust, and a tow package.
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booth
Dodge Dakota
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7/18/2005
16:27:06
| RE: 3.7 L towing 1800 pound trailer
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Message:
how many miles per gallon will I lose pulling a 1800 pound trailer with my 2005 dakota 3.7 L V6 3.55 ratio 4 sp auto
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jayb
Dodge Dakota
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7/18/2005
16:41:29
| RE: 3.9L Towing Casita?
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Message:
not much.
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hawkmoon
Dodge Dakota
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7/19/2005
14:50:47
| RE: 3.9L Towing Casita?
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Message:
I do a fair bit of towing with a 98 3.9 V6 and it does pretty good... Like Mr. Mopar said you can't always maintain speed in over drive, so you may be at higher rpms for most of it (3000ish). You might want to look into a tranny cooler for that long of a trip, or at least a tranny temp guage so you can keep an eye on it.
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New Owner
Dodge Dakota
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7/19/2005
15:42:16
| RE: 3.9L Towing Casita?
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Message:
Hey Booth i tow a trailer a little heavier than that (its 1500 empty) and the milage didn't really change much. When i did it i was going camping with my family and i had the bed full as well as the trailer full so im sure i was pulling at least 2500lbs with no prob, and the gas milage was pritty good too im talking at least 16 or 17 mpg.and i get 18mpg usually. The only diff between my truck and yours is i have a 2004 4x4
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ann
Dodge Dakota
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7/21/2005
21:42:49
| Towing
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I have a 2004 Subaru Outback automatic 2.5 L .Will it pull a camping trailer weighting 1900 lbs full? and what kind of gas mileage pulling on the hwy.I get 30 mpg hwy;how much will I lose.
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jayb
Dodge Dakota
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7/22/2005
14:51:16
| RE: 3.9L Towing Casita?
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Message:
i wouldnt recommend pulling that with a subaru. but it would probably do it. your car is just not built for towing. your suspension is too weak, your transmission wont hold up well, and your brakes arent strong enough. like i said though, it would probably do it though.
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