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BeerHat
Dodge Dakota
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2/13/2003
13:49:26
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 Subject: Towing power/longevity 4.7L
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Message:
Hi guys,
So I'm hitting the road March 14th.. moving from San Jose,CA to Bozeman MT. Question is:
I'm renting a Uhaul 6X12 covered dual axle trailer and towing with my '01 CC 4x4 4.7/auto 3.92 AWD (with loaded bed). I ordered the heavy duty tow package when i bought my truck. I've towed one of these before with no problems, however not for 1100 miles and over steep grades/altitude. Will this be a bit much to ask of my truck? I plan on getting a tranny flush when i arrive to MT, i'm at 36k miles already.
Thanks in advance,
Dan
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jkbarger
Dodge Dakota
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2/13/2003
14:19:29
|  RE: Towing power/longevity 4.7L
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Message:
Don't sweat it!
I have an extended cab 01 4.7/auto with 3.92 gearing. Mine is not a 4x4 and I pull my 24 foot travel trailer with no problem. The traler is 4600 pounds dry and about 5500 loaded. I have no problems pulling it up or down mountians I just have to pull it out of overdrive going up steep grades. It's a good idea to have your tranny's oil changed but PLEASE make sure to have the proper fluid reinstalled and have it "POWER FLUSHED" to rid the torque converter of all old oil. Just dropping the pan only gets about 20% of the fluid. May I suggest changing the engine oil before and after and make sure that the air cleaner is CLEAN before and after the trip. You should have no problems just don't push the engine.
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BeerHat
Dodge Dakota
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2/13/2003
14:28:37
| RE: Towing power/longevity 4.7L
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Message:
cool thanks. I changed my oil last week (mobil 1 synthetics), cleaned my K&N drop-in and put synthetics in my rear axle a few months ago. Plugs are fairly new... so all in all i'm hoping that this won't be too tuff for it. Also having 4wd decreases my towing ability slightly too-- so.
Hoping the hardest part is paying for all the gas with these outrageous prices!
dan
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RadioMan
Dodge Dakota
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2/13/2003
16:47:49
| RE: Towing power/longevity 4.7L
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Message:
If you notice a lot of down shifting and you're
in overdrive, take it out of overdrive before
you burn the tranny up! Owners manual says not
to use overdrive when pulling heavy loads. I
sure don't when I'm pulling my camper.
Have a GREAT trouble free trip!
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sandman
Dodge Dakota
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2/13/2003
20:39:47
| RE: Towing power/longevity 4.7L
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Message:
Towing is really more about transmision and final drive ratio. It seldom comes down to the engines power. It can sometimes come down to the torque capacity of the crank and crank bearings though. I have pulled suburbans and HMV's with my 4 cylinder 4x4 Toyota 4Runner so I am prety sure you wil be ok. I have towed vechiles that had a good 1000-1500 extra pounds on me from Georgia to Michigan a bunch of times with a 4 cylinder through the mountains!!! I think CW pulled a 11,000lb trailer with his Dak with 4.7. When you are done towing you might want to consider switching trany fluid to synthetic as well.
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Dragon
Dodge Dakota
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2/14/2003
08:29:38
| RE: Towing power/longevity 4.7L
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Message:
I've noticed a few "quirks" in my tranny and am deciding on having it flushed.
So what is a good synthetic to use in it?
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BeerHat
Dodge Dakota
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2/14/2003
11:58:17
| RE: Towing power/longevity 4.7L
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Message:
REDLINE OR AMSOIL SYNTHETICS
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sandman
Dodge Dakota
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2/14/2003
19:09:21
|  RE: Towing power/longevity 4.7L
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Message:
I agree with Beerhat. Redline is excellent and so is Amsoil. Redline has C+ATF for all Chrysler vechiles and Amsoil has their Universal ATF. I have Redline in my trany and Amsoil in my T/Case and power steering system and so far both are performing great! Redline costs $7.50 a Quart, OEM ATF+4 cost $9.95 a quart, and Amsoil is $7.50 a quart. If you pay $20 for the year amsoil will sell you everthing at 25% off.
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Slick
GenIII
2/14/2003
21:52:39
| RE: Towing power/longevity 4.7L
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Message:
Towing should be no problem. Just remember that you can shift your auto for a reason, you can take it out of overdrive and down to lower gears if needed. Heat is the worst thing for your auto. Do yourself a big favor and change the trans oil before you go to MT. Your tranny will appreciate the new fluid rather than the old. If possible get a total trans oil replacement (torque converter included). After all why are you changing the engine oil? Good luck with your trip.
03, SLT, CC,4X4, Auto (bad left knee)Loaded with everything but leather
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slopehead
Dodge Dakota
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2/15/2003
16:30:29
| RE: Towing power/longevity 4.7L
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Message:
pulled a very large for it's typepopup camper 6X18 ft. with a caravan 3.0 with a max tow rate of 2500 thru the mountains of colorado with 5 teenagers, all large boys ave. 200lbs. on board and this guy is worried about something designed to pull 6000, pulling a smaller and most likely lighter load. The caravan has the original engine and tranny, not rebuilt, in it and 245,000 on it and is still running, after a total of 70,000 pulling the camper.
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John W.
Dodge Dakota
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2/15/2003
20:06:44
| RE: Towing power/longevity 4.7L
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Message:
I have a 2001 quad cab 4.7 auto with towing package. When I bought the truck I believe they said the truck is rated for 6000 or 6300. But I’ve pulled my 27’ boat (Boat and trailer = 8400 IBS) to and from the marina. No problems. The biggest thing is don’t rabbit start. Due to the mileage your traveling the advice from the others about changing fluids is very good. Also don’t use your OD no mater how bad the gas mileage. Good luck and have a safe trip.
John W.
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Scott
Dodge Dakota
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2/06/2011
10:25:51
| RE: Towing power/longevity 4.7L
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Message:
This message board is helping a great deal with my decision on what truck to buy. I want the Hemi but don't want to pay that much. 4.7 seems to be a good option.
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