I'm pretty sure I know the answer to this, but wanted to run it by the community. I have a 2000 Durango V8 4.7L 4x4 with the factory towing package. The gear ratio is 3.55 (according to the glove box sticker).

Here's the rub: Within the next 4-5 months, my wife and I want to buy a boat for the family. We want a 22-26 foot with at least a cuddy cabin. Weight wise we're probably looking at least 6800 lbs. I'm sure that is over the max towing capacity of my current D-Rex.

The question is: Would it even be worth looking at "upgrading" my D-Rex for heavier duty towing (including the gear ratios), or is it better to buy an in-expensive "beater" pickup we can use just for the towing. I'm leaning towards a beater pickup.

 

If you have the factory tow package you already have the HD tow package.

Get some Monroe reflex shocks which help a lot with body roll (I have them and installed them on my durango and bronco).

Upgrading the rear to a 3.92 is cheap however if a dedicated tow vehicle I would make use of the trailer brakes installed on your D or if the boat trailer has no trailer brakes, upgrade the rear end from a junk yard found rear out of a 2003 durango with disc brakes and 3.92 if you find one.

 

I would go with a beater pickup if your expecting to tow atleast 6800 lbs... even if you upgrade to the 3.92 gearing your truck (with the 4.7l) is only rated for 5750 lbs.

I would look for a ram with a 5.9l and 3.92 gearing if i where you... IIRC, there rated somewhere around 7400 lbs.

 

You could swap out the D too so you don't have the overhead expense of an additional vehicle just for the boat, get a D with better towing. I know mine is rated at 7300 lbs and I often tow 6000 lbs.

 

My documents say 7,600# with the tow package.... And foolish to think the motor size how much you can tow. That's like saying throw the motor out of an 18 wheeler into my durango and now all the sudden I can haul 40k pounds.

 

Thanks for the replies - one note is that I live at sea level and have no real hills or mountains around. It's all flat (if that makes a difference). Also, I plan on towing a boat this size around 10-15 miles tops to the boat ramp. One difficulty make be getting the darn thing back up a boat ramp! (I've seen the YouTube videos )

 

Low range rules!

 

You can always throw a NV244 transfer case into your durango for AWD. Or just 4x4 it.

You'll be fine. I would however upgrade the shocks and look into trailer brakes. There should be a blue plug under your dash where the trailer brake harness (your d came with one) plugs into and the aftermarket trailer brake plugs into that harness.

 

Well - it already has 4x4...

 

I would get a ram or durango with a 5.9l and 3.92 gears and 4x4 with low range. I would advise a ram if you wanna pull in heavy wind cause they are a little heavier, I haven't had an issue with my D but I haven't towed anything with that much surface area except a 25' travel trailer which it handled fine. Then I would do a shift kit, trans cooler if not equipped already, trans temp gauge, and over loads depending on how much the tongue weight is. There is a reason why a the tractor part of an 18wheeler will weigh 16-21000lbs. You need weight to control weight.