hi. i have a 2000 durango with the 4.7l. the truck has almost 200k on it. i recently bought a 7x16x7 enclosed tandem axle trailer with electric brakes. i just got back from a 200 mile trip, and i am a little concerned that the trailer may be two big for the old durango.

the dry weight of the trailer is around 2200 lbs. when towing the trailer fallows very nice behind the truck, and is stops very well with the electric brakes. my concern is actually towing it. at highway speeds, (70mph) the truck has to work VERY hard. the pedal is about 1/4" from wide open running about 3200rpm. i suspect this is because of a combination of a few things. mainly the the extreme amount of air drag, my 32" MTR tires, and the 3.92 rear end

i am wondering:
1.) has anyone else towed an enclosed trailer this big with there durango? if so how did it go?
2.) is this going to kill my engine and or tranny?
3.) is there anything i can do to the trailer to make it more aerodynamic?
4.) any other suggestions?

thanks in advance for the advice

 

What is the weight of the trailer when loaded? You may be approaching the towing limit of your Durango as your 32 inch tires changes the 3:92 gearing.

Do a search in this 1st generation forum on towing. Many of us posted some good info on towing limits on our durangos with different axle ratios but with OEM tire sizing. Custom tire sizing WILL AFFECT the gear ratio.

 

when loaded, the trailer will weigh aprox 4000 lbs, wich is under the towing limit.
where is the best place to get a new rear end. i'm thinking a 4.10. are they hard to change?

 

You have to change out both front end and rear end.


I tow 7,300 lbs 26' travel trailer. Very little issues unless it's hot outside. Remember that I'm built to the nuts!

1st are you running a EQ hitch and second whens the last time you did a tune up and what parts did you use?
Look here for increasing performance: Do It Yourself (top questions and answers) FAQ's and Longevity & Power Of Your Rig!

Hers some more info:
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen...-question.html

Gearing Ratio's and Towing
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen-...hat-gears.html
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen-...-question.html
http://www.allpar.com/model/durango-...fications.html
http://www.allpar.com/model/durango.html


https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen...-some-fun.html

 

Don't pay all that money and only go from 3.92:1 to 4.10:1. Go to at least 4.56:1.

Best thing I ever did to my Durango. I tow 7,000 lbs with ease.

 

I am new here, and doing a search on towing.

I have a 03 durango, and want to buy a trailer to tow my boys motorcycles around FL to races. i was looking at a 7x16 dual axle trailer and even up to a 8x20 dual axle enclosed.

I am here getting an idea if its worth towing with durango, or just buying a pick up truck.

i dont mind selling the durango for a pick up, but its easier to know get some opinions on towing with my current vehicle.

its all stock with a 4.7 motor.

 

The Durango CAN be made to tow good amounts of weight. I have beefed mine up and it pulls my stump grinder and trailer just fine. (7,000 lbs) That said, it tows that trailer NO WHERE even close to as well as my 3/4 ton Excursion does. The Excursion is rock solid with that trailer in tow where as the Durango still bounces and sways some.

If you are towing that kind of weight on a regular basis, you really need at least a 3/4 ton truck.

 

that was kind of what i was thinking. we have 30+ race weekends a year, so it would pull almost every week to every other week.

i dont mind trading up a vehicle, but i just wanted to be sure. i tow a 12 foot v-nose behind it now and gas mileage suffers greatly, so i could only imagine another 3-6 feet.

 

Mileage will suffer no matter what you drive. That's not the reason to get a bigger/more powerful vehicle. It's because of the stability and braking and longevity of the bigger vehicle while towing that makes it worth it. Extra power is just a bonus!

 

About how much money to change it so it can tow a heavier amount? Can any mechanic do this?