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01:24:59 - 12/20/2024
V8 Dakotas
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Kelly
Dodge Dakota
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12/20/2004
22:59:42
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 Subject: 4.7 gear ratio and towing
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Message:
Hello,
I am looking for any information on my Dakota's towing capability and gear ratio. I have a 2002 Quad Cab, 4x4, 4.7L, and 3.55 ratio. I am considering getting a Camping trailer in the near furture and I am wondering what the truck is capable of handling without destroying the drivetrain.
I am also curious as to how changing my gear ratio to the 3.92 would effect its normal driving habits city, highway and also towing capabilities.
Any information would be greatyly appreciated!
Thank you,
Kelly
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reemster
Dodge Dakota
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12/21/2004
20:14:04
|  RE: 4.7 gear ratio and towing
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Message:
Kelly, I just bought the identical truck in October. Your set-up is rated to pull 4700 lbs. The 3.92 gears will increase the towing capacity to 6000lbs. I haven't towed my trailer yet with the Dakota, but from what I'm reading on this board I won't have a problem. My trailer is a 21' TT, 3100 lbs. dry. With passengers, gear, canoes, bikes, etc. etc. I will be right near the limit. As I said, there are folks on this board who haul more than 4700 lbs. with our set-up and do OK.
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TexasTodd
Dodge Dakota
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12/22/2004
20:46:55
|  RE: 4.7 gear ratio and towing
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Than why is my 01, 4.7, Quad, with a manual, tire and handling, trailer towing,
AND 3.55's (which are nice with the manual nv3500)
has a GVWR of 6010, with the 3.55's?
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ptschett
Dodge Dakota
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12/22/2004
21:36:35
| RE: 4.7 gear ratio and towing
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TexasTodd: the GVWR is the weight the vehicle's permitted to carry on its own axles, that is, its own weight plus the weight of passengers, cargo, luggage, accessories. It doesn't necessarily imply anything for the vehicle's towing capacity. For example my car's GVWR is about 4700 lbs. but it's rated to tow 2000 lbs. The Dak I've ordered should have a GVWR about the same as your truck but a tow rating of 5750 lbs ('05 4x4, 230 hp 4.7L automatic, clubcab, 3.55 axles w/ trailer tow package). I could have had another 1200 lbs of towing with 3.92's but I don't expect to ever need to tow that much.
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Danny
Dodge Dakota
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12/23/2004
01:05:50
| RE: 4.7 gear ratio and towing
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Message:
I have a 2003 dakota 4.7l 4x4 xcab with 3.92 gears on 32" tires, according to dodge your allowed to carry around 6800lbs trailer, with a class 4 reciever hitch, "the 2" square slide in one" i've exceeded that weight in my truck by pulling a 12k lbs loaded trailed which is not advised, when i tried to stop too quickly the trailer would push the truck, without trailer brakes. The motor pulled and was working hard, with towing it is recommended that tranny fluid and filter are replaced once a year. Also look into trailer brakes if your going with a bigger trailer there around 200-300 bucks.
Changing the vehicles gears from 3.55 to 3.92 on the downside would lower top speed and gas mileage drop, but the plus side is acceleration will be quicker, towing will be easier. Also rearend size will determine how much you can tow, i have 9.25in theres also a 8.25 and 8.75, which is displayed on a tag hanging from the rear-differential. The pay load which is somewhere around 1500lbs is how much people, cargo, and junk in your truck.
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AndrewM
Dodge Dakota
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12/23/2004
10:55:06
| RE: 4.7 gear ratio and towing
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Message:
I have a 2002 QC 4x2 auto with 4.10 gears and HO cams. I tow a 19' Aerolite travel trailer. It weighs about 3,600 lbs loaded. My truck tows it very well.
When determining what you can tow, there are two ratings to look at and one to ignore. The ones to watch are GVWR and GCWR.
GVWR (gross vehicle rate rating) is how much the truck itself can weigh, including fuel, passengers, payload, trailer tongue weight, etc.
GCWR (gross combined weight rating) is how much the total combination of truck and trailer can weigh.
The figure you can pretty much ignore is the tow rating. That is a best case marketing figure which is unobtainable in the real world. The tow rating is derived from subtracting the curb weight of the truck (including 150 lb driver) from the GCWR. So, unless you weigh 150 lbs or less and plan on travelling alone, with no passengers or cargo, then you'll never be able to achieve that tow rating and still be under your GCWR.
The best way to determine how much you can tow, and be within spec, is to subtract the actual weight of your truck, including passengers and payload, from the GCWR. That would give you the maximum trailer weight. For your truck, the GCWR is 9,200 lbs. Your truck could easily weigh 5,000 lbs or more, depending on the passengers and cargo. So, you're down to a little over 4,000 lbs right of the bat. This is where the gear ratio really makes a difference. You can gain 1,300 lbs of GCWR just by going with 3.92 gears. That would put you over 5,000 lbs.
Now, you still have to watch the GVWR of 6,010 lbs. With a truck that weighs nearly 5,000 lbs to start, you have to watch the tongue weight of the trailer. Typically tongue weight should be around 12-15% of the trailer weight. So with a 4,000 lb trailer, that's about 480-500 lbs. You're ok with that.
If I were you, I would put 4.10 gears in your truck. It would give you 1,300 lbs more towing capacity. Fuel mileage won't be that different. I went from 3.55 to 4.10 and really didn't notice a change. Also, make sure you have transmission cooler installed, if you don't have the tow package. And, put synthetic fluid in the differential.
Here is a great site for towing tips. It walks you through determining the appropriate trailer size/weight for your truck.
RV Towing Tips
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ZZ
Dodge Dakota
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12/28/2004
13:37:59
| RE: 4.7 gear ratio and towing
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Message:
I have an 03 2WD QC with a 4.7 V8, 5 speed auto, and 3.55 rear axle and have no problems towing a 3000 lb. trailer.
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