| From | Message |
david052874
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/03/2011
19:40:39
|
 Subject: new 4.7 towing.
IP: Logged
Message:
I presently have a 2000 Dakota 4.7 with 150k mimles on it. I bought a 20 foot boat last year that on the trailer is prob around 4200# dry...Probably around 4800# loaded up with gear. On my 2000 Dakota, I have the tow package and the 3.72 rear end. So here is the deal...I take my boat up to Tahoe in the begninng of summer and leave it there and then bring it back at the end of summer. The first year I had the boat (3 years ago), the Dakota made it no problem. Then 2 years ago it was like 95 degrees when I made my trip and I had to pull over like 5 times to let the Dakota cool off....I was pushing the temp gauge. Last year, (70 degree weather) I pulled over once to be safe. The light never cam on that I was overheating, but the gauge was climbing on certain hills. So this is my dilemna. I want to buy a new truck. I honestly dont want a new full-size 1500. They are too big. So I am wondering if a new Dakota witha 5-speed (vs the 4 speed auto I have) with the 302ho/330tq. engine will perform better than in my 2000 Dakota. Will I see a drastic improvement. I know that the low end torque is missing....but I am wondering if my 2000 Dakota is starting to fail because of age. I also think that the outside temp has something to do with it on the climb to Tahoe in those higher elevations. But I really dont want to get a new Dakota and be stuck in that same situation. But I really dont want a full size Ram 1500. I should also note that I did coolant flushes every year and tranny flushes every year. And after year 2 ( the 95 degree temp year) I put in a new water pump and thermostat. The only thing I havent changed is the radiator. It looks clean on the outside....but I dont really want to change it and blow $500 or whatever to find out it didnt make a difference. I am basically going to buy a nenw truck than to prolong this for 2 more years. What do you guys think? Any of you tow a lot of weight that would compare to a climb of 7000ft like going to tahoe?
thanks in advance for any input.
dave
|
david052874
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/03/2011
19:42:50
| RE: new 4.7 towing.
IP: Logged
Message:
i meant to say I bought my boat 3 years ago....not last year.
|
Dan00Dak
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/03/2011
23:08:38
| RE: new 4.7 towing.
IP: Logged
Message:
I've towed a similar trailer with my 2000 Dak, 5
speed, no problems. I use 4th a lot but I'm in
New England so the hills aren't as steep, nor are
the temps.
A good radiator shop can flow test the radiator
and chemically flush it, or even rod it, if
necessary. It may look good on the outside but
have some buildup on the inside.
How's the clutch fan too? Is it working as it
should? Did you hear it roaring when you were
getting hot? It could be failing as well.
|
david052874
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/03/2011
23:17:24
| RE: new 4.7 towing.
IP: Logged
Message:
clutch fan is fine....everything is fine on the cooling system except I havent changed the radiator.
but I am thinking that I may just get a new truck anyway. The brakes are squeaking. A shock is rattling...etc. It is time for me to sack up and get a new one. The thing is that I really want a new 2011 Dakota since it is the last year they are around. I know they havent got great reviews, but as far as the cheap interior that they get slammed for, I could care less. I just want a smaller truck that can tow my boat without issues. I hahve a 2nd car that I commute with...so this is kinda a work truck. So I dont really want to spend all that cash for a full size. Whatever I get, I will get leather and all the goodies...as I do use my truck a lot on trips. But I really jsut want to make sure that it can tow my boat without issues. And id rather spend $7-8k less on the Dakota if it is capable.
I wish there was a way I could just rent one with the tow package and the 3.92 gears and take 1 trip to Tahoe with the boat and see how it works. But no one even has these Dakotas around here where I live. I dont think they are that popular anywhere out here. Personally, I dont think they look that bad...I kinda like them. And my last one was a good truck.
I am jsut wondering if that 5-speed and new 4.7 will perform OK on the trip to Tahoe. It seems to me it would. I mean I remember when i was a kid and we drove a 70's Chevy up there. Of course it had a 350cu inch V8 in it...and I know displacement helps in towing....but these new engines have just as much torque and HP as those older ones from 20-30 years ago.
What do you think?
I have searched all these forums to get some info on somoone using these new 4.7 v8's, but I am not seeing any posts with people stating that they tow in the mountains and 5000#'s. I know as far as the specs from Dodge it should be no problem. But I jsut want to have a truck that will do it with ease and not have to worry about overheating after I plop down a lot of cash on a truck.
|
Dan00Dak
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/04/2011
17:10:44
| RE: new 4.7 towing.
IP: Logged
Message:
I can't say about the new Dakota but like I said,
my 2000 5 speed hasn't had any trouble. I just
have to use 4th a few times when it does get
steep. It'd probably be OK for you too.
Just get the factory towing package and heavy duty
service package (forget the name). You'll get the
bigger radiator, etc.
I understand your feelings about the Dakota. I
like my truck, wouldn't know what to do without it
or how to replace it. It is the perfect size for
a lot of things.
Good luck.
|
david052874
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/04/2011
21:29:48
| RE: new 4.7 towing.
IP: Logged
Message:
jsut out of curiosity, at what elevation do you tow in? The climb to Tahoe has a couple steep grades, but some of them give you a running start with the truck so it makes the climbs quicker than starting from a standstill. There are a few places that have like 1-2 mile stretches of constant climbing but the real grades have like a 40 mph speed limit so it is not like you are going 70 mph on these grades....which seem to me thru my experience to put less strain on the engine.
I am trying to find some other Dakota owners (perferrably with a 2008+) that are doinng similar climbs at the same (or close to) elevation.
thanks
|
Dan00Dak
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/04/2011
21:45:53
| RE: new 4.7 towing.
IP: Logged
Message:
It goes from sea level to about 2000 feet. Same type
of road setup, 40 mph stretches, some fairly steep
but usually a moderate rise.
I'm towing about 4800 lbs with the trailer.
We can get stretches in the 90's. 80's is more
common in the summer though. Humidity can be high
so the A/C is cranking.
|
GrayDevil
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/05/2011
16:32:02
| RE: new 4.7 towing.
IP: Logged
Message:
Hook her up, let us know how much the repairs costs.
|
ES
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/05/2011
21:29:25
|  RE: new 4.7 towing.
IP: Logged
Message:
Sounds like the catalatic converter is starting to plug. I've had a few friends destroy a motor because the temp will spike without them noticing on some of the mountain passes under either wot or heavy throttle an load.
A simple test though only accurate if your cat is starting to get majorly plugged is to hook a vacuum gauge up and see if vaccuum slowly drops during the hill climb.
Another test I've heard of but never tried myself is to take temps before and after the cat or cats and to see if the temp is notably higher after the cat. If the temp wasn't higher after the cat that cat was assumed to be inoperative.
The only accurate method is to pressure test the exhaust. That's done with a kit or a shop can test it. But it's done by inserting pressure gauges before and after the cat to see if it is flowing properly under load.
In my state it's legal to remove the cat for temporary testing purposes to see if the cat was the culprit of the overheating.
On a side note make sure your radiator hoses aren't collapsing.
Best of luck to you and hope I was of some help. Though I've been there with an older ford where like you I tried everything even upgrading to a 4 row aluminum radiator but the darn thing would always overheat on hot days in traffic or going faster then 55mph. The cure came in 96 dodge ram diesel form xD
|
bcharette
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/08/2011
10:21:08
|  RE: new 4.7 towing.
IP: Logged
Message:
I have an 06 with the 4.7 and towing package but have not towed close to what your towing. I have done research to see what I could tow since I tow a lot. From my findings, you'd be happy with how these last generation of the Dakotas can tow. If your are leaning more towards a new purchase, take into consideration why 2011 is the last year Dodge will produce the Dakota. There are issues with them. (on mine within 50,000 miles of travel.. 2 bad ball joints, water leaks into cabin, bad tie rods, power steering leaks, slight sputter at idle speed which dodge claims can't be fixed, and other minor maintenance issues like required replacement of diff. fluids every 15,000 miles. If you do research, these issues are recurrent to a lot of owners.
To be honest, if Toyota could fit a v8 in their tacomas, i'd trade. If you don't want a full size, but need a v8, the dakota is your only option :(
My advice would be to seriously consider a full size.
|
david052874
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/09/2011
01:10:17
| RE: new 4.7 towing.
IP: Logged
Message:
thanks for the advice...i think I am jsut going to get a Ram 1500. Checked them out and it will be a better fit for me. I am seeing most 4.7 Ram drivers are saying that they wish they had the 5.7hemi....so I think that may be the way to go to set my mind at ease. I will prob keep the dakota anyway and just drive it into the ground since I wont get anything for it with the trade in and it is still a good truck. thanks
|
| | P 1 |
|
Post a reply to this message:
Username Registration: Optional
All visitors are allowed to post messages
|
