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MTN4X4
Dodge Dakota
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8/18/2005
12:28:30
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 Subject: Towing
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I am looking at hauling (in the bed) a Honda 1300 motorcycle and towing a pair of Yamaha 1200 Jet skis for 8 hours. Colorado to Omaha NE, with a 2001 regular cab dak with a 4.7 V8. What challenges should I be aware of?
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.boB
Dodge Dakota
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8/18/2005
13:42:26
|  RE: Towing
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Other drivers are going to be your worst concern; seems like most drivers in our are are a bunch of knuckleheads.
The other thing I would worry about (a little) is temperature. Well, not worry, really. Just something to consider. High surface temps and a small trailer tire are a recipe for a blow out. Just keep your speed down to 70-75mph and it should be OK.
Really, the load you're planning is nothing for a dakota. That's probably less than 2000# or so. Just load it up and go.
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FloriDak
Dodge Dakota
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8/18/2005
14:19:26
| RE: Towing
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We'd probably need a bit more info. If you have the factory tow package then there's not a whole lot to worry about. If you've just got the bumper hitch and no wires for the lights then thats a different story and the trailer may also be too heavy for the bumper...
All that aside, since most small trailers don't have brakes, braking distance will be a bunch longer and brakes overheat a lot easier on hills. If the tranny starts shifting up and down a lot going up a hill, turning off the overdrive will help. Only other thing is to not over heat the tranny. Since you live in CO and have lots of mountains, a tranny cooler might be a good investment if you don't have one already.
Taking it easy on the hills and downshifting would probably be the biggest thing to be aware of...
1997 Dakota Extended Cab
318v8 4x4
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MStephens
Dodge Dakota
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8/18/2005
15:53:27
| RE: Towing
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I be worried about my transmisison if I were you. The jets are not much of a load (I tow a pair -- Sea Doo GTI and a Kawasaki STX 750) and you can't even tell they are behind you. But add a motorcycle and a few passengers -- AND I HOPE YOU HAVE A TRANS COOLER.
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Kowalski
GenIII
8/18/2005
16:27:09
| RE: Towing
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The only thing I'd wonder about is how well that bike will fit in the short bed. I pull 5000 lbs no problem with my '00 4.7 auto, you're looking at an easy tow.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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MTN4X4
Dodge Dakota
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8/18/2005
18:30:43
| RE: Towing
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Message:
Well, the truck has the tow package, the bike is in the back right now. With the regular cab, it is only going to be my wife and me. Not sure if it has teh tranny cooler.
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.boB
Dodge Dakota
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8/19/2005
01:42:22
| RE: Towing
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I think a lot of people really underestimate the capabilities of their trucks. If I was looking to buy a P/U, and I thought towing a light load as descrtibed here was going to be a problem, I'd look somewhere else.
Really, these trucks are pretty tough. You can generally beat the snot out of them and they keep running. The V8's are rated to tow 6,000+ pounds, and carry about 1/2 ton in the bed. And those ratings are very conservative. You know you can exceed those ratings by a fair amount without damage if you're smart about it.
I wouldn't think twice about the truck and it's capabilites in a situation like you described. Just load it up and go. If you're a halfway decent driver you'll adjust your driving habits accordingly.
Last summer I towed a trailer full of tools and a bed full of tools from MA to CO. The truck did just fine, with no issues whatsoever. I wouldn't think twice about doing it again now.
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GraphiteDak
GenIII
8/19/2005
13:20:00
| RE: Towing
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If my truck can tow THIS beast from Payson, AZ (5000+ ft alt) up and down the mountains to Scottsdale, AZ (1000 ft alt)...
You shouldn't worry about nothin'!
It was some trailer my friend needed towed down here last min notice.
It was HEAVY and FULL of storage as well!
Look at the two rolls of Cable Wire right there to give you an example of what was in there.
No trailer brakes either. I just took it out of OD down all of the hills and stayed way back.
I still pulled 65MPH in OD when on the flat.
Got the tow package. It does have the tranny cooler.
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Kowalski
GenIII
8/19/2005
15:42:41
| RE: Towing
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Yup, if you've got the tow package, you have the tranny cooler. The 4.7 loves to rev - if it wants to sing in a lower gear charging uphill, just let it. I'll be out in the passing lane with my camper, the 4.7 pulls well.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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