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cableguy
Dodge Dakota
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5/31/2008
00:19:39
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 Subject: towing
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anyone try towing a travel trailer? Ive got a 01 qc 4x2 with 4.7 and tow package and im looking at trailer around 26' and 5000pnds just wondering if anyone has tried this and how well it drives.
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wylman
Dodge Dakota
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5/31/2008
09:15:35
| RE: towing
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I have towed a 27' car trailer, loaded to the gills with motorcycle parts and stuff. I didn't have any problems towing it.......stopping was a concern though!!! I haven't installed an electric brake switch in my truck yet so.... the trailer wanted to shove my truck up the road under heavy braking. I just gave myself plenty of room to stop. If your truck and the trailer are electric brake equipped, you should be fine. Although....you might bottom your rear suspension out if the trailer isn't well balanced. Hope this helped you out some.
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cableguy
Dodge Dakota
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5/31/2008
10:41:33
| RE: towing
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it does thanks I haven't towed anything with it yet and I'm gonna get the brake switch and monroes load leveling shocks because I'm always putting a lot of weight in the back anyway. I also was wondering how much the back end gets pushed around I imagine Im gonna have to throw some weight in the back to keep the swerving down.
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Dan M
Dodge Dakota
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6/02/2008
15:40:04
| RE: towing
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you can upgrade the brakes to be the same from 03 durango (actually dakota too - i helped a buddy install new pads on his 03 qc and it dual dual pistons too).
the dakotas prior to 03 have single piston, the 03 durango has dual and larger rotors.
i haven't done this on my 02 yet, but some people have. It was mentioned on here a while ago. here is the link, i bookmarked it.
http://bigdakotabrakes.gotdns.com/brakes.html
it lists parts and has pictures.
-Dan M
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cableguy
Dodge Dakota
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6/02/2008
23:23:28
| RE: towing
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wow thanks Im gonna check a couple of junk yards tomorrow hopefully I can find a 4x2 durango to rape some parts from
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Kowalski
GenIII
6/03/2008
06:44:33
|  RE: towing
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The way to keep the swerving down is to load weight in the front of the trailer - not the rear of the truck. Trailers need about 10% or more of their weight on the tongue for decent handling. Your truck should tow fine, just don't be afraid to let the 4.7 rev. A properly loaded 26' camper shouldn't bottom out your suspension; but if it looks like it's squatting too much, you could go with a weight distibuting hitch. These usually also include attachment for sway limiting too. With properly adjusted electric brakes, the trailer should take care of its own braking.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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jayb
Dodge Dakota
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6/03/2008
19:34:41
| RE: towing
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"you can upgrade the brakes to be the same from 03 durango "
thats more pointless than you think. my 93 has 10.5" drums in the rear and, ive never needed bigger breaks. Ive towed a 30' travel trailer through the rockies with it and i had no problem. if you think the load is big enough to warrant bigger breaks on the truck, its because you should have trailer breaks.
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cableguy
Dodge Dakota
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6/03/2008
22:41:03
| RE: towing
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thanks for the help the trailer I'm looking at has a large storage area in the the front so Ill probably just load it and wait to fill the tanks until I get where I'm going. and btw how heavy is that 30' I know my truck is rated for 6200lbs but Im curious what its is possible of comfortably. and any trailer I would buy would have brakes.
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jjj
Dodge Dakota
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6/03/2008
23:38:52
| RE: towing
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Whoa there, don't load the tongue until you weigh it. The hitch has a rated tongue weight. It usually isn't a lot, make sure you hitch can handle the load of the trailer!
A travel trailer "should" be setup right, it isn't like a boat that can be placed differently on the trailer.
Be prepared for 10 mpg or less, depending on your terrain :)
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jayb
Dodge Dakota
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6/04/2008
01:43:30
| RE: towing
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I dont know how much yours would weigh. mine was an 84, 30' in length. it weighed in around #6500. no slide outs. newer ones weigh less.
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Kowalski
GenIII
6/04/2008
08:06:21
|  RE: towing
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I've found through experience that we can't count on the manufacturers setting up travel trailers right; so don't count on that. One thing that can have a big effect is whether or not you are towing with the water tank full; as I do when camping at the races. Also, it isn't uncommon for people to bring extra stuff with them, including heavy coolers. How you pack can make a big difference. I get about 11 mpg towing around the factory limit in very hilly terrain.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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6/04/2008
15:12:14
|  RE: towing
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So Kowalski, you are saying you could do better and take on product liability too. I don't think so. If your $.02 don't have any meaning, such as the above post, then just shut your mouth. You are nothing more than a idiot.
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cableguy
Dodge Dakota
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6/04/2008
23:59:15
| RE: towing
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thanks the trailer I'm looking at is 5900lbs dry with a thirty gallon fresh tank behind the axles and is 29' long I'm putting on load leveling shocks not just to tow I'm always loading the bed and I need new shocks in the back anyway and I probably wont fill the tank until i get where Im going unless I am going to the track or someplace I cant fill it.
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Kowalski
GenIII
6/05/2008
06:37:29
| RE: towing
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Your welcome. At 29', you should seriously consider a weight distributing hitch.
For daddio's spoofer (it's obvious that post didn't come from him): I'm not just saying I can do better; I'm saying I have done better. No need to take on the product liability involved in the design of a trailer by advising someone how to load it for better handling.
If you'd post under your usual name, people wouldn't think you're such a coward.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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jjj
Dodge Dakota
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6/05/2008
08:02:22
| RE: towing
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That is a pretty serious trailer :)
What gears do you have in your truck?
You do know you will probably be over the GVWR of the truck. So just take it easy and watch for the idiots that have to pull out in front of you - you know the ones, they see you coming and that you are towing and just HAVE to pull out right in front of you at the last minute.
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cableguy
Dodge Dakota
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6/05/2008
09:35:31
| RE: towing
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yeah Ive seen daddio's post's and he usually just has good information like yourself not insults so thats probably t.t. and I have 3.55 non lsd rear end which I would like to change and the truck is rated for 6100lbs stock which Im sure I can up that with the suspension upgrades, cams, intake and throttle body any other suggestion would be appreciated I know that rear end wont be the greatest for towing but will work until I swap it.And as for the idiots trying to get ahead Im the cableguy I have them do it all the time now and re-arrange my van.
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Kowalski
GenIII
6/05/2008
14:43:36
| RE: towing
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It isn't t.t. either - the same guy also spoofs him...
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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Kawalski
Dodge Dakota
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6/05/2008
15:42:35
|  RE: towing
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Oh yes it is TexasTodd.
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jjj
Dodge Dakota
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6/05/2008
15:48:44
| RE: towing
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Kowalski says it will tow it alright, just let it rev..
Though I know my 01 QC 5.9 is a lot stronger than my dads 02 QC 4.7 and towing the boat (4500-5500 lbs.) can be challenging in the WV mountains with the 5.9.
I think you will do ok if you ignore the tach :)
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jayb
Dodge Dakota
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6/05/2008
19:40:04
| RE: towing
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if you tow up long, steep grades, watch that temp gage.
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Todd Bouton
Dodge Dakota
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6/06/2008
11:36:02
| RE: towing
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There is a lot of bull being spread here. Don't exceed your GCWR and keep the tongue weight at 15% of the trailer load and you will be fine. 1 more thing use a GOOD brake controller.
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