| From | Message |
4.7 Magnum
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/22/2008
19:04:31
|
 Subject: Have a towing question....
IP: Logged
Message:
I have a 2000 Dakota club cab, 4.7 auto 4x4 and I think it has the 3.55 rear axle. I just purchased a 2007 Starcraft 30 foot travel trailer that weighs in at 5100 pounds. Does anyone think that I will have any problems pulling this with my Dakota? The dealer where I bought the travel trailer from looked up my truck and it says that my truck is rated to pull a maximum of 6150 pounds. I do have the electronic brake control in my truck that I used with my old 2000 pound pop up camper. I have a 2" ball that says 6000lbs. on it. Will this one be ok or should I go up to the next rated ball? Any input would be greatly appreciated.
|
TexasTodd
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/22/2008
20:19:00
|  RE: Have a towing question....
IP: Logged
Message:
Does your Dak have the trailer towing package,
or are you putting the ball on the bumper?
You didn't say.
If not, whoa there with that heavy a trailer.
If you have the towing package, then you'll have about all you'll need.(larger radiator, auto?- , you'll need the tranny cooler, larger alternator and battery, all with the towing pack, etc.)
the truck will pull it OK though., With OD off on the hwy, etc.
|
4.7 Magnum
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/22/2008
21:04:13
| RE: Have a towing question....
IP: Logged
Message:
Yes, I have the hitch under the rear bumper. Also has the 7 pin trailer light plug with the Chrysler logo on it so, i know it must have been put in by the factory or dealer. Whoever owned the truck before me must have pulled something with the bumper though because it slowly started to rust and now it is completely rusted right in the middle. Looks like whatever the previous owner pulled with the bumper, made the chrome crinkle and then the rust started. My Dak pulled my 2000 pound pop up and an entire load of camping gear and 2x4's for firewood last summer very easily. This truck has been virtually unstoppable with anything I tow, load in the back, and anywhere I take it. (Last summer, 1600lbs of patio blocks on a pallet in the bed, and this spring, will see how much top soil it will haul for me) Thanks for the info on towing my new house on wheels. Just have to remember to turn the OD off. What can I try to fix the 4 wheel lock light on the instrument panel? I have never seen the light come on even in 4 hi lock or 4 lo lock. I know....change the bulb but could it be something else?
|
Kowalski
GenIII
2/23/2008
08:11:53
| RE: Have a towing question....
IP: Logged
Message:
Many of us with the 45RFE tranny behind the 4.7 tow with the OD left on with no problems. Does the 30' trailer take a 2" ball ? Every 30' and up camper that I've seen takes the next larger size.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
|
Jed
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/23/2008
18:31:07
| RE: Have a towing question....
IP: Logged
Message:
3.55 gears high for towing. With that weight, 4.10 be better.
|
Kowalski
GenIII
2/24/2008
07:10:43
| RE: Have a towing question....
IP: Logged
Message:
Sure lower gears will pull better (3.92 being the lower factory optional size) - but I pulled simular weight with 4.7/3.55 without a problem. The 4.7 pulls fine, just let it rev when it wants to.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
|
4.7 Magnum
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/24/2008
23:06:12
| RE: Have a towing question....
IP: Logged
Message:
My 2000 pound pop up camper took a 2" ball but not sure if the 30' travel trailer take the next size up or not. I pick it up this Thursday after work so, we will find out. I have to pull it about 12 miles to get it home up and down a few hills so, I will post back here Thursday night and let ya know how it pulls it for the short distance. If I need a bigger ball they will have some there for me to buy i am sure. I will tow it home with the OD off for the "Test run". In August, we are traveling to Hershey PA from near Canandaigua NY (about 4.5 hours). That will be the real test!
|
daddio
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/25/2008
09:01:15
| RE: Have a towing question....
IP: Logged
Message:
as mentioned earlier get an aux trans cooler. preferably the biggest you can fit. extreme temps are what kills an auto trans.
|
4.7 Magnum
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/29/2008
21:03:10
| RE: Have a towing question....
IP: Logged
Message:
Well, towed that 30 foot travel trailer home Thursday after work. The camper place outfitted my truck with a $750 weight distributing hitch with the sway bars. Has a 2 and five sixteenths inch ball on it. As I drove away from the place where i bought the travel trailer, I was so amazed at the power that my truck actually has. I have never pulled anything even close to the weight of this travel trailer. I get home, and decided that I would try to back the camper out behind my house. It is a slight uphill grade to the backyard but try doing it in 8 inches of snow! Well, backed it all the way out there without a spin of the wheels. I would like to know how i could get alittle more torque out of my truck without spending a ton of money? (2000 Dakota club cab 4.7 auto 4x4)
|
Kowalski
GenIII
3/01/2008
06:59:54
| RE: Have a towing question....
IP: Logged
Message:
Congratulations on your new camper. Many of us have swapped in the HO cams from the 4.7HO offered in the Jeep around '01 or '02. Reputed to give most of the torque gain of the whole early HO package. An affordable mod if you can do the work yourself; but a good idea to search the archives for helpful tips and what to watch out for.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
|
4.7 Magnum
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/01/2008
19:10:50
| RE: Have a towing question....
IP: Logged
Message:
Thanks Kowalski. I am not much of a mechanic myself. I have done tune ups, brakes, etc... 1 engine/transmission change in a 1981 Chevy Chevette hatchback and a transmission change in a 1975 Hurst Olds W-25 (I miss the Hurst Olds!) I wish I knew how to work on the internal parts of the engine but not going there. I will first give the truck a complete tune up since I have had it for 3 years and never touched anything as far as the tune up goes. I am also going to change the fluids in the tranny, transfer case and the rear axle. In the spring i am going to go through the cooling system and have it flushed and checked out. The only thing I am most worried about is overheating it this summer pulling the travel trailer for a 4 hour trip! I haven't overheated it yet pulling the old pop up camper last summer (only 2000 lbs though) and I ran the A/C while pulling it as well. Gauge has never gone above about 210 or alittle above that. Thanks again for all the info everyone has given me.
|
modain
GenIII
3/03/2008
09:50:34
|  RE: Have a towing question....
IP: Logged
Message:
Two easy things...
The 2000 has the 65mm throttle body (actually it's 62mm). You can swap on an unmodified 2001-2002 TB which is 68mm (65mm actually), or get a Fastman true 68mm TB. [www.thefastman.com - $180 + $80 Core + $10 shipping]
A Superchips tuner will give a noticeable boost in towing power. You don't even get your hands dirty.
What's your left foot doing?
==============
2002 Graphite QC SLT Plus, 4.7L, NV3500, Superchips 3715, 3.92 LSD, R/T rear swaybar, no chrome, loads o'fun...
2001 Patriot Blue Durango SLT, 4.7L, 45RFE, Superchips 3715, 3.55 Open (for now)
1999 Forest Green Dakota RC Sport, 2.5L, NV1500, 3.55 Open
|
cruztheman
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/22/2010
18:03:29
| RE: Have a towing question....
IP: Logged
Message:
I've got a 99 dakota with the 5.9 liter 360 in it, I bought a 5th wheel last summer i pulled a couple times seemed to do ok... i did find out the trailer weighgs around 6500 lbs... I do have the tow package, the 7 pin hook up under the bumper, and the over sized aux trans cooler, I kept a close eye on my tempature gauge pulling it up a fairly steep grade (ashton pass, ID) everything seemed to run & preform pretty well. Let me know if you have any suggestions or think thats too much weight for my truck.
thanks
|
| | P 1 |
|
Post a reply to this message:
Username Registration: Optional
All visitors are allowed to post messages
|
