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Carl Franquet
Dodge Dakota
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3/01/2007
12:18:27
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 Subject: Towing capacity question.
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Hello,
I'm a long time Dakota owner. Had a 98 and now have a 2000 I've owned since new. I've put 172k miles on it, mostly highway. It is a 4.7, 5spd, Quad Cab, with towing package, hvy duty cooling, battery, suspension, etc. and basically everything you could get except steering wheel radio controls.
The heaviest load I've towed is a HD in a U-Hail 6x8 trailer. My question is; will it tow a '73 corvette coupe (apprx 2,500 lbs) on a car trailer. The vette has the motor and tranny out of it. The reason I ask is I will need to tow it abour 150 miles from Mesa, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ. If you don't the the route, it is a elevation change from 1,100' to 7,000' up some very steep mountain grades.
Opinions on whether I should try it, use a car dolly vs the trailer, or waht???
Thanks in advance,
Carl F.
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Kowalski
GenIII
3/01/2007
13:20:10
| RE: Towing capacity question.
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You should be fine, even if you have the 3.55 gears (you either have that or 3.92, it's labeled on top of the left axle tube, visible through the wheel well on my '00 4.7). I've pulled more weight (about 5500) but in steep NH terrain that I would guess might be not quite as steep as what you are looking at. That was with the 3.55 gears originally. Don't be afraid to let the 4.7 rev when towing, you won't hurt it. Definitely make sure the trailer brakes are working well; trailer brakes will be more valuable than the weight reduction in using a dolly.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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Carl Franquet
Dodge Dakota
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3/01/2007
13:24:43
| RE: Towing capacity question.
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Great and thanks for your reply. It's a 3:55 and I'll be renting the trailer from U-Haul.
Where in NH? I spent some winter warfares and ski training in the White Mtns in the late '70s when I was with 10th SFGA in Ft Devens, MA.
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Kowalski
GenIII
3/01/2007
17:08:20
| RE: Towing capacity question.
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Up to Laconia, Lake Winnepesaukie, N.H.I.S. area for the races and summer vacation; from western MA. Nice campground with boat dock by site, fun area.
Happy to be of assistance. I imagine you're aware about 10% of trailer weight should be on the tongue for best handling; otherwise the tail can try to wag the dog...
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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4.7onN20
Dodge Dakota
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3/01/2007
20:09:37
| RE: Towing capacity question.
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I tried renting a car trailer from U-Haul and they told me the dodge dakota is not approved to use it. They wouldn't let me rent one. I have the heavy duty towing package too and im sure I could yank around a lightweight sportscar like nothing. Maybe U-Haul is stupid and throws it in with the same class as the s-10s and rangers.
Hell I tow my 27' sailboat that has to weigh at least twice what that car does. Like Kowalski said as long as your tongue weight is right these trucks can pull quite a bit. You might have to lie to them and tell them you have a ram. I wish I had.
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Carl
Dodge Dakota
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3/01/2007
22:06:44
| RE: Towing capacity question.
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Yep! I decided to go with the car dolly. Their computer doesn't list the Dakota Quad, 4wd, V8. I think that's why. The car has the motor, tranny, and driveshaft removed and the susp, ujoints, brakes, etc. are all new so I feel comfortable using the dolly.
Thanks!
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DSW
Dodge Dakota
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3/02/2007
02:17:13
| RE: Towing capacity question.
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Hey Carl,
I tow a 3500# boat from Las Vegas to local lakes and have also gone up to Fish lake, Utah 9000+' and Mammoth, CA 8-9000'. My 03 QC 4.7 handles towing fine. I tow at 65MPH, sometimes getting up to 75 passing, going up steep grades it will maintain 55MPH. Well except for one grade that's just stupid crazy steep, on that one I just keep into the truck 3/4 throttle and let the truck do what it wants.
I-17 from Phoenix to Flag is a walk in the park compared to some of the roads I have towed on. Just keep your speed in check.
BTW, when was the last time you changed your transmission fluid?
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jayb
Dodge Dakota
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3/02/2007
10:51:21
| RE: Towing capacity question.
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" tried renting a car trailer from U-Haul and they told me the dodge dakota is not approved to use it. They wouldn't let me rent one. I have the heavy duty towing package too and im sure I could yank around a lightweight sportscar like nothing. Maybe U-Haul is stupid and throws it in with the same class as the s-10s and rangers. "
Thats funny. my 1993 cc v8 4x4 yadda yadda has towed 6500lbs through the mountains of western washington many, many times. at 132k its held up fine. UHAUL lets me rent the car hauler with my rig to tow camaro's around. If they do that, i know you can do it with your rig. Go back and tell them you have a 2000 dakota v8 4x4. dont mention quad cab and see where that gets you. ALSO dont tell them what you are pulling. one tip from someone that worked there to me was always tell them your are pulling a toyota corolla. Unless you have a 3/4 ton pickup, by telling them this will almost always guarantee you the trailer.
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jayb
Dodge Dakota
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3/02/2007
10:53:38
| RE: Towing capacity question.
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one more thing to add. i say to tell them that because they want the load to weigh 900# less the tow rig.... which is rediculas.
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Super bee
GenI
3/02/2007
10:58:05
| RE: Towing capacity question.
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even still, the tow ratings is not less than the tow vehicle
last time i checked my 1 ton did not weigh 16,000 lbs
its actually half that
some places wont rent you a car hauler unless you have a 3/4ton or more
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
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Kowalski
GenIII
3/02/2007
12:21:01
| RE: Towing capacity question.
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Just an observation; but it seems to me that U-Haul could be opening themselves up to more liability by renting a dolly when they won't rent a trailer. You are relying entirely on the truck's brakes to stop the extra weight that way. I'd think a sharp lawyer might claim they bear some responsibility if your brakes faded on a long downhill run and you hit someone. I've experinced that kind of brake fade from the '00 stock brakes while towing a boat, but was able to bring the truck under control by downshifting.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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jayb
Dodge Dakota
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3/03/2007
12:54:05
| RE: Towing capacity question.
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uhaul rents me a car hauler only cause i say im towing a corolla. thats all there is to it. maybe other places wont, but they do.
and i know your 1 ton doesnt weigh 16k. but uhaul plays it way on the safe side by saying your tow rig needs to weigh 900# more than what your towing.
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Carl Franquet
Dodge Dakota
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3/05/2007
17:00:03
| RE: Towing capacity question.
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Thanks for all the input. I got the vette home to Flagstaff from east Mesa, about 160 miles with no problems. I used a car dolly from u-haul. I told the manager what I was doing and that their website didn't list my truck, so he just listed a Dodge 3/4 ton and off I went. I had to used 3rd gear on a couple grades, but other than that it was a piece of cake.
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jayb
Dodge Dakota
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3/06/2007
01:25:08
| RE: Towing capacity question.
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we all knew it was gonna be easy....
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modain
GenIII
3/06/2007
11:27:55
|  RE: Towing capacity question.
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Yeah, but everyone has to learn first-hand. :-)
Our "little" trucks can do quite a lot of towing (properly equipped, of course).
What's your left foot doing?
=========================================
2002 Graphite QC SLT Plus, 4.7L, NV3500, Superchips 3715, 3.92 LSD, 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
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joe story
Dodge Dakota
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4/04/2009
16:23:15
| RE: Towing capacity question.
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I have a 2001 dodge Dakota Sport,4x4, 3.55 ratio 4.7 engine
Model AN5L84, GAWR of front 3600 back 3850 with a hitch rated at
8000 trailer and 800 tongue. I want to make sure I get this right.
How much weight should I be looking for when buying an RV tow
behind trailer? Thanks. Joe
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DD
Dodge Dakota
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4/06/2009
14:43:29
| RE: Towing capacity question.
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I think your 4.7L is mated to a 4speed but there is really no difference between the 4 and 5 speed auto other than extra O/D.
Just depending how much you tow. Its a good idea to use trailor brakes.
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joseph story
Dodge Dakota
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4/06/2009
15:07:48
| RE: Towing capacity question.
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I appreciate the reply and am intending on using trailer brakes but I
still need to know what weight range in RVs I can tow safely with
my truck. What weight should I look for when I buy an RV?
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Steve Prince
Dodge Dakota
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4/04/2010
22:25:02
| RE: Towing capacity question.
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I am looking at a 2000 dakota v8 4.7 with a 5 speed. I have a 23 foot travel trailer weighing 2900 lbs empty. I live in Oregon where I will be climbing to 5,000ft. Will this truck handle it safely??
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well
Dodge Dakota
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4/17/2010
08:32:59
|  RE: Towing capacity question.
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If you read the thread, Kowalski has already provided your answer...
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Dave Dougan
Dodge Dakota
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5/21/2010
16:36:39
| RE: Towing capacity question.
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I drive a 1999 Dodge Dakota V8 Magnum 5.2 litre truck will it pull a dual tandem 27' travel trailer
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