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18:25:30 - 04/25/2024
V6 Dakotas
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Pat
Dodge Dakota
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7/05/2003
20:37:06
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 Subject: 03 Dakota
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Message:
I have an 03 Dakota Club Cab, auto, 3.55 rear, V-6, heavy duty suspension. Tow limit is 4600#. How unsafe would it be to go to 5000#? Trailer is a camper with a dry weight of 4100#. 24footer. I am assuming 700#'s or so in camping gear.
Thanks.
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Jim
Dodge Dakota
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7/05/2003
23:49:09
| RE: 03 Dakota
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Message:
I just went through this. I can give you the correct answers for sure.
I own a 2003 Dakota SXT, Club Cab, 4X2, Short Bed, Auto 4 Speed, V6 3.9, 3:55 Axle
I just bought a Shadow Cruiser T-189FD ( 19' ) Fun Finder.
It's advertised as 2305 lbs. dry weight. I went to the scales today and weighed the whole system out.
Actual weight with 1 full propane 20# tank, 30 gals water in the holding tank, RV Battery, Roof Air, Awning, ect... 2840 lbs.
Tongue weight... 260 lbs.
Dakota weight, no persons or gear, little over 3/4 tank of gas... 4020 lbs.
The whole rig came to 6,680 lbs. The GCWR ( Gross Combined Weight Rating ) on mine is 8,800 lbs. Take in mind the above weights were nothing in the truck or trailer. No gear, no people, no nothing. I'm a big boy and weight in at 300 lbs., so the GCW I was at today while driving was Just under 7,000 lbs. That only leaves me 1,800 lbs. for gear and people before I max out.
I took it on a long test drive today. It seems to be doing ok at 55-60 mph on flat roads. It doesnt do too bad on small inclines. Larger inclines and it drops down to 2nd gear ( OD is off while towing ). RPM's at 60 mph in 2nd gear ran 4,200! It was wound up pretty tight. 60 mph in 3rd was right at 2,500 rpm's. Now this wouldnt be so bad if its a really small ( lenth wise ) incline. But a long incline and your really putting a strain on that little V6. My MPG turned in at 11.1!
So to answer your question on the weight, no I would NOT try towing a travel trailer heavier than what I have right now. You could go a few hundred pounds more if you wanted, but believe me when I tell you I am not real happy with the way the Dak tows. I havent had the chance to load it up with gear/food and the wife, I hope I dont blow the tranny..lol.
As for trailer lenth. The recommended starting wheel base for towing is 110" which will tow a 20 FT'er. Then each additional 4" of wheel base allows you 1 additional FT of trailer. My Dak has a 130" wheel base, and that should allow me to tow up to a 25 FT'er. Of course, try and find a 25' that weighs 3,000 lbs or less.
Also, what I think would help on gas milage would to be able to turn off the torque converter lock-up when needed. This would have kept the tranny from dropping into 2nd as much ( 3rd without lock up was running about 3200 rpm's,( I think )). I am going to post here and see if anyone knows which wire I need to put a toggle switch in so that I can.
Hope this helps you. Any other questions, feel free to ask. ( My next Dak will have the 4.7 V8 minimum )
Here's a Pic of my Dak and the Travel Trailer:
http://www.ross1.us/tt_t.jpg
Inside of TT:
http://www.ross1.us/T189.jpg
( couldnt figure out how to post pics here )
Jim
PS: One more thing I thought of. My SXT came with the 16" wheels/tires. The tires are about 28.5" dia.
If you have the smaller 15's, then you might do a "little" better on the inclines than I did.
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Jim
Dodge Dakota
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7/06/2003
00:27:09
| RE: 03 Dakota
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Message:
Figured it out:
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