Originally Posted by adukart

+1. I'm inclined to agree. I would rather tow with my durango over a tahoe or ford anything, well I'll make an exception for the ole 7.3l diesel but that's a different class, because it does handle loads well. They are different from the dakota from the front doors back, heavier crossmembers and frame. The frame is also wider on the durango and I was surpised that its fully boxed front to rear, the 90's ram's weren't. That is the reason why dakota's are spring over and durangos are a spring under axel, its the difference in frame width. Most have the good ole' 9.25" rear end. They are also really heavy for their size. Mine sits at 5200lbs on the scale. Thats only 200-800lbs less than a brand new crew cab. The brakes aren't that bad, put in a decent set of pads and rotors and you'll be very happy. My brakes manage to handle GVW of 15,000+ with out issue. No vehicle is good for towing without the proper equipment, none.

Originally Posted by Magnum_D

So, a little update on my Durango......I changed the plugs (which on all the electrodes were wore down even with the porcelain), but I am still getting a Misfire on cylinder 2. The coil pack looked fine, so I'm wondering what should be my next step? change the wires and coil pack?.......or could there be something else triggering that code?

Also, the Durango is now running better and I have picked up about a 1-2 mpg gain

Originally Posted by cmikolajczyk

That's a bunch of crap, I tow every day for a living, and of course a durango will never compare to a heavy duty truck specifically made for towing! A dodge durango is a great towing vehicle, even in comparison to a 1500 series pick-up truck. I prefer my 98 5.9L Durango over my 1999 Chevy 1500 ext. Z71. It is a great pulling truck, and it handles very well, despite the shorter wheel frame. No older vehicle can compare to a newer one. There has been 15 years of new engineering into the motors. A 360 motor doesn't have the compression or HP like a newer hemi, but it's still a damn good pulling engine. I don't know where your comparrison's are coming from, but my durango can pull just as good if not better then any similar year truck of the same class. Maybe from a 3.9L V6 or a 4.7L V8, but surely not the big 360 magnum. It's platform is the only negative thing I have to say about the durango, that it would've been a better truck had the based it off of the ram opposed to the Dakota, but that's something they can't correct now. Oh how I would've loved to have a Ram 4dr SUV with a Cummins turbo under the hood, it would've ran ford's gas hog excursion out of the market.

For what you are hauling, a universal class 3 hitch from walmart will be more than enough. Depending on the wiring your trailers need, be conservative. If you're not pulling in excess of 5,000 pounds, you don't need to invest in trailer brakes, unless your trailer and/or state requires. A cheap $25 trailer light kit, along with a $50 class 3 receiver will be all you need. That's about how much it costs here in Texas. Be safe and happy towing !

Originally Posted by cmikolajczyk

Agreed, and a bit of knowledge for me. I knew that dodge took the Dakota and widened it, and boxed the frame in, but I've always been confused as to why it is a spring under unlike all the ram's I've had. (I figured it was for lower clearance, and so the cab could be lower for a family friendly height. I've tossed the though around about having a spring over axle to increase ride and clearance height, but I've yet to have heard or seen it done.)

End of story- Durango's are awesome towing trucks, regardless of what anybody thinks. If you disagree, please bring what you've got down to texas and we'll make a video of it.

Originally Posted by PublicHair

Well when you kiddos actually own/tow with newer SUV and trucks maybe then you'll realize the durango just can't compare very well. But hey.. If it makes you happy. I just have experience vs pride so..