| From | Message |
Ron
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/10/2009
23:01:07
|
 Subject: 4.7L Trailer Towing
IP: Logged
Message:
I am wondering if there is a way to improve the performance of my 2000 quad cab, 4.7l V8 when towing a 4800 lb trailer. The truck shifts down into second and runs at 4100 RPM most of the time. I tow at an altitude of 5000+ feet. Should I look into changing the gear ratio in the rear differential?
|
duh
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/11/2009
08:00:08
| RE: 4.7L Trailer Towing
IP: Logged
Message:
you need a bigger truck!
|
RadioMan
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/11/2009
09:28:27
|  RE: 4.7L Trailer Towing
IP: Logged
Message:
If the truck was built with the factory tow
package you should be ok. Just remember to keep
the OD (over drive) switched off when pulling.
If the truck was built WITHOUT the tow package,
then the rear end gearing is higher and no tranny
cooler or even a heavy duty frasher system plus
other things I'm fogetting. If that is the case
then I must agree with "duh" or yes; "Should I
look into changing the gear ratio in the rear
differential?" PLUS add a tranny cooler.
Remember if you're Dakota is a 4X4 and you're
going to chance rear end gearing, you MUST do
both rear AND front.
Good luck..
|
TexasTodd
GenIII
2/11/2009
10:40:04
|  RE: 4.7L Trailer Towing
IP: Logged
Message:
Ron,
Sounds as if you have an auto tranny. Surely you wouldn't be pulling this kind of load without the towing pack, or at very least a tranny cooler, as stated.
4100!!!!!, Wow, THAT's a lot of R's to be driving around on.
There are plenty of people with your set up, towing similar trailers on here, they'll pipe in.
Definitely with the Over drive switch off.
I don't think you need a bigger truck though.
01 SLT QC, two tone paint,
OEM fender flares
Cab high Leer cap w/ double slider window,
Infinity sound,
Tire and handling pack,
R/T sway bars
Trailer towing pack,
3.92 LSD rear end, 2WD
Ransho RSX shocks
4.7 manual,
HO cams,
HO intake,
Ported the stock 68mm TB,
Homebrew 'true' CAI, w/ K&N
No belt driven clutch or cooling fan
No third cat.
SuperChips Tuner
Max dyno, NO short belts, etc.
227 RW HP
300 RW TQ
Drive it like its paid for!
|
Kowalski
GenIII
2/11/2009
14:37:27
| RE: 4.7L Trailer Towing
IP: Logged
Message:
Actually the tow package has absolutely nothing to do with the gearing. I regularly tow more than that with my 4.7, although at slightly less altitude. Lower gears can help, my truck came with 3.55 and towed 6000 In NH mountains quite well. Going to 4.10 made it much more responsive towing, but unless you want to drop the $$$ on that you will be fine to just let it rev - the 4.7 loves revs and was designed to rev a grand above the old 5.2. I wouldn't worry about the overdrive unless it is hunting gears. Many of us with the 4.7 have found it only goes into OD while there is low laod, like downhill. I've never heard of anyone damaging the 45RFE by towing in overdrive. Been doing that for 10 years with mine.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
|
super bee
GenI
2/12/2009
08:57:41
| RE: 4.7L Trailer Towing
IP: Logged
Message:
actually kowalski it does
at some point dodge changed it so if you got the tow package you automatically got 3.92 gears
BUT, i dont think that happened until after 2000
and im not sure if that included dakotas, i know 1/2tons it did
tow package came with 3.92s and LSD
so in some models and in some years it did :D
1990 sport RC SB, 1995 318drivetrain, 3.92 gears (came with truck) Powertrax "traction system", 95 dash/steering wheel, hearthrob exhaust, headers, cutout after y-pipe, necessary electric fan add-a-leafs, 30x9.5 mud tires, cranked T-bars, AR 39 15x8 rims, grill guard, roll bars
|
Kowalski
GenIII
2/12/2009
13:04:08
| RE: 4.7L Trailer Towing
IP: Logged
Message:
No super bee, for the 2000 Dakota this poster is asking about, I can say with absolute certainty that it does not. Please check your facts before contradicting me like that. The reason why I am so sure ? Because my truck is also a '00, with the factory tow package; and it came with the higher 3.55 gearing - as did many others. You guys are dead wrong about this; feel free to do some research...
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
|
Joe.C
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/12/2009
13:35:24
| RE: 4.7L Trailer Towing
IP: Logged
Message:
Kowalski,
Your a over sensitive a$$hole! Just F-off and don't worry about this thread no more if you going to be insulted because you don't know what the hell your talking about.
Ron, towing with 2 tons without a tow package isn't the best of ideas, also trailer brakes is more important that just good ole horse power and torque. As for as the high RPM's, it's really all about the terrain but I don't see why it would be revving that high all the time. You could overheat if it's pulling that hard all the time
.
|
Kowalski
GenIII
2/12/2009
13:48:45
|  RE: 4.7L Trailer Towing
IP: Logged
Message:
Joe C. - I'm not worried, but I will feel free to post to any threads I want here. By the way, Ron has not said that he doesn't have the tow package. You seem confused as usual; I am the one who is confident about the info I am presenting because it is right...
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
|
modain
GenIII
2/12/2009
17:54:48
| RE: 4.7L Trailer Towing
IP: Logged
Message:
The current Dakota generation includes 3.92 gearing as part of the Towing Group (in most cases). For the 1997-2004 trucks the axle gear option (and LSD) had nothing to do with the Towing Group, and it was only "standard" on R/T models.
It would be nice if some folks understood we are here swapping information based on our real experience so to offer help to those that inquire. Rather than get pissy when corrected, it would be nice when people were asked to do their homework first. This doesn't provide the original poster any good answers to their questions.
Out of everybody here on this forum Kowalski ranks high on the scale for having the best knowledge and views concerning the subjects being raised.
Just my $.02...
What's your left foot doing?
==============
2002 Graphite QC SLT Plus, 4.7L, NV3500, Superchips 3715, 3.92 LSD, R/T rear swaybar, no chrome, loads o'fun...
2001 Patriot Blue Durango SLT, 4.7L, 45RFE, Superchips 3715, 3.55 Open (for now)
1999 Forest Green Dakota RC Sport, 2.5L, NV1500, 3.55 Open
|
Stick Shift
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/17/2009
06:42:08
| RE: 4.7L Trailer Towing
IP: Logged
Message:
At 5000+ feet your truck engine isn't getting enough oxygen. You also don't say what grades you're pulling.
Poster "duh" doesn't get it - he means bigger engine - bigger truck is just more weight to pull.
Changing gear ratio won't change how fast the engine runs, just maybe which gear the tranny's in. A higer numerical gear ratio will up your RPM's for the same gear.
Consider a better intake, even just a K&N drop in filter will help. When was your last tune-up? Consider better fuel, stay away from oxygenated gas(gasohol or "winter gas") as it has a lower heating value. Is your tranny slipping? Have it checked. A "super chip" could help in your situation to retune your engine's settings. Changing gear ratio isn't going to fix your lack of power at high altitude.
|
Joe.C
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/20/2009
15:18:02
|  RE: 4.7L Trailer Towing
IP: Logged
Message:
Stickshift is right on about the engine isn't getting the right amount of oxygen!
So there snow boy "Kowalski" go smack yourself!!!
And most of your post is pure B.S!
|
Kowalski
GenIII
2/20/2009
17:28:46
| RE: 4.7L Trailer Towing
IP: Logged
Message:
Joe C. - Stickshift and I are both posting correct info, while you continue to post nonsense. I suspect the lower gear ratio is still not included in the tow package even in the newer Dakotas; although some trucks may be being ordered with the tow package and the lower gearing. I can say for a fact that they are not linked in the Rams, as I just ordered one today. Ordered the tow package and 4.10 gearing - seperate options. Have a nice day, jackass...
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
|
Jim
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/28/2009
10:19:23
| RE: 4.7L Trailer Towing
IP: Logged
Message:
I also have a 2000 with factory tow package and my truck has 3.55 gears.
|
RadioMan
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/28/2009
11:41:58
| RE: 4.7L Trailer Towing
IP: Logged
Message:
Ron, with everyone fighten one another over who
is right and who is wrong about towing, just put
the shifter into second, gas peddle to the floor,
point the steering wheel in the right direction
and wait for the engine or tranny to blow! lol
|
TimmyTard
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/28/2009
13:08:45
| RE: 4.7L Trailer Towing
IP: Logged
Message:
Kowalski is correct... 3.92 were a seperate option.
|
STS
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/28/2009
13:30:06
| RE: 4.7L Trailer Towing
IP: Logged
Message:
I think you can get 3.55's but still it makes no sence that it would be reving that high.
O' and 4.10 was not an option on the 2000 year modle Dakota, so I guess you need more oxogen going to your brain to Kowalski.
|
Kowalski
GenIII
3/01/2009
09:32:53
| RE: 4.7L Trailer Towing
IP: Logged
Message:
Slow Thinking Skinhead (STS) - better check your own oxygen supply. I have never claimed, in this thread or any other, that 4.10 gears were an option for a 2000 Dakota.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
|
jjj
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/01/2009
10:02:25
| RE: 4.7L Trailer Towing
IP: Logged
Message:
Changing gears will get you the most bang for the buck - it will help as the gears are torque multipliers, and it is torque that does work.
Engine mods will help also, esp. at the higher rpms.
Think it is lazy at 5000 ft., try it at 9000+!
|
Joe.C
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/02/2009
16:46:54
| RE: 4.7L Trailer Towing
IP: Logged
Message:
Get off smoke out of you head Garrick Doherty the Irish drunk! Who here is talking about Ram's??? This guy has a Dakotas so stick with the subject. I know you're mad that your cousin Shannen left in some trailor park in NJ but wise up man!
|
Kowalski
GenIII
3/02/2009
18:02:24
|  RE: 4.7L Trailer Towing
IP: Logged
Message:
Joe C. - your post is so full of lies and unfounded rage that it's hard to comprehend what you are treying to say. Step away from the crack pipe...
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
|
| | P 1 Next Page>> |
