Dodge Dakota as a tow vehicle.

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Dodge Dakota as a tow vehicle.

I've got a Ford F-250 with the 7.3L diesel and 5 speed in it and I can tow my 14' jon boat anywhere and anyway I want with no problem. <br /><br />Seriously though, I had a Dakota, ext. cab 4X4 with the 5.7 and auto, and towed my 16' Bassmaster all over the country with no problem.

 

[Baketech]

Re: Dodge Dakota as a tow vehicle.

I had an 01 Dakota Quad Cab 4x4 with the 3.9l and 4spd auto. I pulled an 18ft bowrider with a single axle for 1.5 seasons.....an exercise in frustration, especially in hilly country.<br /><br />I loved the ergonomics of that truck, but it was way to underpowered to be safe and hassle free during towing.<br />In short, I don't think they should even build a 4x4 Quad with a V6.<br /><br />About the same time I was ready to trade, it started showing a lot of metal in the tranny pan....hello F-150.<br /><br />Ymmv....

 

[DJ]

Re: Dodge Dakota as a tow vehicle.

Spinner,<br /><br />With that rig, you don't even need WHEELS on the trailer.

 

[mvaughn]

Re: Dodge Dakota as a tow vehicle.

I'm with SBN 5.9L Cummins Turbo Diesel <br /><br />I've also had a Dakota, it will move the boat fine, but for brakeing and handleing you'll be pushing it. <br /><br />Just take it easy to you find a larger tow rig.

 

[cheradenine]

Re: Dodge Dakota as a tow vehicle.

I have an 1986 full size bronco with a 5.7 liter engine. I pull my 3600 lbs stratos without much problem at all here in colorado. Going up some of the mountains it does slow down. But the problem that I have the most is with braking. I don't have trailer brakes and without them I have to be real careful not to smoke my bronco brakes on some of the hills. Not to mention the yahoo's in front of you who always seem to slam on thier brakes becuase they aren't watching where their going.

 

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

Re: Dodge Dakota as a tow vehicle.

The thing I have been warned about is that there is only one clutch plate for overdrive, which will burn up on ya if you leave it in overdrive with a heavy load on (at least for the 4L60E auto trans)<br /><br />since they use the same trans for the 4.3 and the 2.2, seems to me that the engine would wimp out before the trans did, and drop a cog when there was an actual load on the rig, the rolling horsepower to pull a 2500 pound rig down the jersey flats cant exceed 35 or so, the biggest hills between here and the shore are the ones on the overpasses, lol<br /><br />anyone know if this single plate statement is on the level? cant imagine they would put a junk trans in millions and millions of trucks!

 

[armysfcret]

Re: Dodge Dakota as a tow vehicle.

97 Dakota with 164K miles on her now. Pull the Hudsons or my 18' Bass Buggy without any problem. Have pulled the Hudsons (individually) over 8K miles without any problems. 318 with tow package rated at 6,000 lbs.<br /> 1953 Hornet with Dodge Dakota From the other end. <br /><br />Must the the angle but the Hudson and Dakota are actually about the same length and width.

 

[bluewater19]

Re: Dodge Dakota as a tow vehicle.

The 4l60E is a computer controlled version of the TH700R4. This transmission was originally designed for GM V-6 engines. That being said the transmission has been used in everything from 2.5 liter 4cyl. to 5.7 v-8's. I have the same tranny in my 1999 suburban 4x4 with 3.73 gears and I have no problem towing in overdrive. This tranny was made to tow in 4th gear because it was designed that way. Check your owners manual and see what it says. Mine says only tow in third if the tranny keeps shifting down due to hills or heavy payload. My glastron weighs 1980lbs dry ant the total weight loaded with trailer is around 3500 lbs. I have no problems towing in OD. My bluewater weighs real close to 6000 (verified by truck scale.)with a full tank of gas and cooler all fishing and camping crap. I have a hard time going up in the sierra's and have to pull some steep grades in second gear at 35 mph. My tow rating is 6900lbs according to my owners manual. I wouldn't even think od pulling it in OD. It does fine in drive on the flats though.

 

[oneforu2nv]

Re: Dodge Dakota as a tow vehicle.

I have a 98 Ford Ranger v6 3.0 with 373 rear end and it towes my 19 foot sea ray pachanga just fine. I would not want to tow it across the country with it but back and forth to the lakes is fine. I know the boat weights about 3000 loaded with trailer and the trailer has surge brakes.

 

[Realgun]

Re: Dodge Dakota as a tow vehicle.

Well my 2003 3.0L Flexfuel Ranger pulled my boat from Minnesota to New Mexico, 1400 miles with no problems its a 17 foot Bayliner about 2000 lbs.<br />I get better milage pulling on E-85 than regular fuel.<br />I am thinking of a Dakota as a replacement vehicle and with an antispin read end, should be no problem at all. There is no real need for 4WD as its just a status symbol most of the time. Although for the sandy beachs at my lake I might get that. The V8 would be sweet but the 3.7 V6 is really all you need. Now remember I tow up and down hills at 4500 to 5000Ft. I mean big hills about ten gullys and hills and 140 miles 1 way to Elephant butte.