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Brandon
Dodge Dakota
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7/06/2009
21:10:26
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 Subject: 3,400lbs through SC hills?
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I will be towing a 3,400lb trailer/boat in the next couple of weeks. It will be towed by a 2003 Dodge Dakota with a full tank of gas and myself. Here are the mods that have been done to the engine: 1.7 Harlands, 10" carb style air cleaner w/ K&N filter, V8 TB, flowmaster muffler, and superchips on 89 setting. The truck has 116,000 miles and 3.55 gear ratio.
Will my truck have enough power to pull the boat over the hills? Also, will i feel a difference in changing the superchips mode to towing? Is it worth spending more money on higher octane gas for the towing mode?
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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7/06/2009
21:29:50
| RE: 3,400lbs through SC hills?
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Spending the little extra for premium and using the tow mode may be better. If it's an auto it would probably downshift less with the additional power of the tow mode.
You didn't mention if it's an auto or manual, 4x2 or 4x4, RC, CC or QC?
I think if your cooling system and brakes are up to snuff, you shouldn't have any problems.
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Brandon
Dodge Dakota
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7/06/2009
21:38:00
| RE: 3,400lbs through SC hills?
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I knew I was forgetting to add something. It is a QC, Auto, 2WD.
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harry from ct
Dodge Dakota
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7/06/2009
22:56:03
| RE: 3,400lbs through SC hills?
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If you have to ask us, dont do it!!!!! Get sloted rotors and carbon fiber brakes...and as said as above 4x2 or four by four
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2WD
Dodge Dakota
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7/07/2009
06:50:44
| RE: 3,400lbs through SC hills?
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Harry, 2WD = 4x4.
I agree with daddio, all the better if the boat trailer has surge brakes.
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correction
Dodge Dakota
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7/07/2009
07:00:03
| RE: 3,400lbs through SC hills?
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oops! 2WD = 4x2
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Brandon
Dodge Dakota
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7/07/2009
14:44:28
| RE: 3,400lbs through SC hills?
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Has anyone pulled anything close to this kind of load with their v6 dakota?
Besides better rotors and pads what other mods can i do to the engine? I was looking to install headers but then the factory y-pipe would have to be replaced.
Unfortunately the trailer doesnt have surge brakes and i am looking to install those once I get the boat to FL. I will compensate until then by giving myself tons of room from other cars.
Thanks for the comments!
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jay
Dodge Dakota
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7/08/2009
18:58:46
| RE: 3,400lbs through SC hills?
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I tow a large pop-up that weighs 2200 pounds empty. Add to that gear, fire wood, a couple full coolers and a couple passengers, I'm in your ball park. My Dakota is a bone stock 2003 2wd sxt club cab with a five speed. It towes pretty good through the mountains in up-state New York. I do have to down shift into fourth on steeper grades, but I have never had a problem with this much weight. The only problem is the milage suffers.
Good luck on your trip!
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Brandon
Dodge Dakota
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7/09/2009
19:42:33
| RE: 3,400lbs through SC hills?
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Thanks for your input jay. That is what i am looking to hear. What kind of mileage are you getting? Im running 15.5mpg with a lead foot and not pulling anything.
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Kowalski
GenIII
7/10/2009
08:55:17
| RE: 3,400lbs through SC hills?
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Ouch ! I get that milage from my similarly driven 4.7. I agree with the guys saying you will be fine, as my 8 will tow almost twice that easily. You should be fine planning for stopping distance; your '03 has better brakes than my '00. Towing 6000# drops me to about 11, maybe your 6 will do better there ?
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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mario
Dodge Dakota
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7/12/2009
03:00:06
| RE: 3,400lbs through SC hills?
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i pull a 27 foot boat 3400 lbs DRY. 35 gallon gas tank in the boat, gear and coolers around 3800 lbs... i tow it with my reg cab, 3.9 auto trans 4x4. no problem just watch your stopping distance
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Brandon
Dodge Dakota
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7/14/2009
13:03:05
| RE: 3,400lbs through SC hills?
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Thanks for the input guys!
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jay
Dodge Dakota
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7/17/2009
19:48:11
| RE: 3,400lbs through SC hills?
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Brandon, Sorry for the late response. Been very busy with the wife working nights this summer. Without the trailer hooked up I get anywhere from 20 - 23 mpg all highway. With the added weight it drops to about 15-16. I pulled a much lighter pop-up from RI to Deleware a couple of years ago and averaged just under 19 mpg. That is with ideal road conditions (no trffic and very few hills). Good luck on your trip.
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Brandon
Dodge Dakota
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7/22/2009
17:56:11
| RE: 3,400lbs through SC hills?
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Thanks jay. I can only dream of 20mpg. Right now im getting 14.7mpg. I think I have two bad O2 sensors but when i bought the truck i could only get 16.7. Thanks again!
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Bob Lincoln
Dodge Dakota
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7/23/2009
08:23:37
| RE: 3,400lbs through SC hills?
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In May I towed a 1993 Dodge Daytona home on a 2-wheel dolly, from NY to MA, 225 miles. My 1992 Dakota pulled it with absolutely no problem. Combined dolly and car weight was 3400 lbs. I have a club cab 3.9L V-6, 4WD with cap, 3.55 axle, 4-spd auto. No towing package (no extra cooling, etc). I was able to leave it in O/D downhill and level, turned it off for the slightest grade. It braked fine, steered fine, pulled fine with no strain. Never overheated. I get 20 mpg empty, got 18 mpg with the empty dolly, and 14 mpg pulling the car. You'll be fine.
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