Dodge Dakota ForumDodge Dakota PhotosDodgeDakota.net Membership
  Forums   Forum Tools
09:53:00 - 03/28/2024

General Dakota Board
FromMessage
skoorb
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

4/28/2003
01:16:20

Subject: towing
IP: Logged

Message:
Anyone have any idea why the durango is rated to tow more than the dakota.

The 5.9 durango 4x4 is rated at 7250
while the 5.9 quad cab 4x4 is 5950.


Is the suspension different or something???



CThomp
*GenIII*
 User Profile


4/28/2003
07:43:25

RE: towing
IP: Logged

Message:
The durango has a much stouter rear end than the dak does. There is someone on here that put a durango rear end under his dak that he got out of a junk yard. Sounds like a good idea to me.



skoorb
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

4/28/2003
08:57:30

RE: towing
IP: Logged

Message:
what is different about the rear end. the durabgo is 9 1/4 and the dakota is available with the same???



EBL
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

4/28/2003
12:13:45

RE: towing
IP: Logged

Message:
Could weight be a factor? With a trailor that doesn't have it's own breaking system it may get hairy stopping a load that is much heavier than the tow vehicle.

I wouldn't want to do it.



Kowalski
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


4/28/2003
15:01:35

RE: towing
IP: Logged

Message:
The 9 1/4 rear is available in both. Are your numbers from same rears with same axle ratios ? The 3.92's will pull more than the 3.55's.



Chris
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

4/28/2003
15:05:56

RE: towing
IP: Logged

Message:
I bet it is due to weight of the tow vehicles. A ram with the same 4.7/nv3500/9.25 with 3.92's is rated to out tow a simmilar dakota... It has to be due to vehicle weight.

Chris



AndrewM
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

4/28/2003
15:17:47

RE: towing
IP: Logged

Message:
Well, the Durango only weighs 227 lbs more than the Dakota. That doesn't totally explain the 1,200 lb towing capacity difference. The Durango also has a higher payload capacity. It must have a beefier rear end like CThomp said.


Durango:

2003 Durango SLT Plus, 4x4, Automatic 4-Speed, 5.9L V8 engine:

With 3.55 Axle Ratio [i] You Can Tow 5450 lbs2
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) [i] = 6400 lbs
Payload [i] = 1490 lbs1
Curb Weight [i] = 4909 lbs
Curb Weight Front/Rear = 2724 / 2185 lbs
GAWR [i] Front/Rear = 3600 / 3806 lbs
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) [i] = 10500 lbs

With 3.92 Axle Ratio [i] You Can Tow 7150 lbs2
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) [i] = 6400 lbs
Payload [i] = 1490 lbs1
Curb Weight [i] = 4909 lbs
Curb Weight Front/Rear = 2724 / 2185 lbs
GAWR [i] Front/Rear = 3600 / 3806 lbs
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) [i] = 12200 lbs


Dakota:

2003 Dakota SLT Plus, Quad Cab, 4x4, Short Bed, Automatic 4-Speed, 5.9L V8 engine:

With 3.55 Axle Ratio [i] You Can Tow 4350 lbs2
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) [i] = 6010 lbs
Payload [i] = 1330 lbs1
Curb Weight [i] = 4682 lbs
Curb Weight Front/Rear = 2748 / 1934 lbs
GAWR [i] Front/Rear = 3600 / 3806 lbs
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) [i] = 9200 lbs

With 3.92 Axle Ratio [i] You Can Tow 5950 lbs2
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) [i] = 6010 lbs
Payload [i] = 1330 lbs1
Curb Weight [i] = 4682 lbs
Curb Weight Front/Rear = 2748 / 1934 lbs
GAWR [i] Front/Rear = 3600 / 3806 lbs
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) [i] = 10800 lbs



AndrewM
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

4/28/2003
15:23:31

RE: towing
IP: Logged

Message:
Hmmm, well I just looked at a comparable 4x2. It had a payload rating of 1,580 lbs. It seems that the GVWR of 6,010 lbs is a limiting factor. Maybe different brakes? I don't know.


2003 Dakota SLT Plus, Quad Cab, 4x2, Short Bed, Automatic 4-Speed, 5.9L V8 engine:

With 3.55 Axle Ratio [i] You Can Tow 4600 lbs2
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) [i] = 6010 lbs
Payload [i] = 1580 lbs1
Curb Weight [i] = 4434 lbs
Curb Weight Front/Rear = 2554 / 1880 lbs
GAWR [i] Front/Rear = 3100 / 3806 lbs
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) [i] = 9200 lbs

With 3.92 Axle Ratio [i] You Can Tow 6200 lbs2
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) [i] = 6010 lbs
Payload [i] = 1580 lbs1
Curb Weight [i] = 4434 lbs
Curb Weight Front/Rear = 2554 / 1880 lbs
GAWR [i] Front/Rear = 3100 / 3806 lbs
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) [i] = 10800 lbs



Kowalski
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


4/28/2003
18:42:19

RE: towing
IP: Logged

Message:
Anyone know if the Durango might have different ( lower ) transmission ratios ?



hammerdak
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


4/29/2003
21:23:03

RE: towing
IP: Logged

Message:
I'm not sure why there's a difference either. Axle ratios definitely make a difference though.
I did see an interview with a Chevy engineer/spokesman who when asked "How do they determine tow ratings ?" replied "That's how much we could tow before we started breaking stuff."
Maybe it's the same at Dodge?



   P 1


Post a reply to this message:

Username Registration: Optional
All visitors are allowed to post messages


Name:
Email:
Notify me when I get a reply to my message:Yes  No

Icons:            

          

Subject:
Message:
 



Home | Forums | Members | Pictures | Contact Us

This site is in no way affiliated with Chrysler or any of its subsidiaries.