1998 Dodge Durango SLT with a rebuilt 5.2l 100%, 46re 4x4 transmission. I want to pull a 4500 lb 25' travel camper. The vehicle came with a mopar tow hitch setup, 4-pin flat connector. Without the two package?? The tow package has been installed. I ran power to the breaker under the hoodnto the battery, ran the blue wire into the brake section of the behicle for the break control through a grommet and ran a power and ground through the grommet from the breaker to the battery to the break controller as well as tied the controller to the brake switch etc. Is the durango known to be able to tow a 25' trailer nicely? The trailer is 4500/4600. I'm looking to purchase a new travel camper this fall. I am just hoping I can pull it with this durango?

 

Is that weight loaded, or empty?

If you have 3.92 gears, then you would be able to pull 5600 lbs. If you have the 3.55s, 4700 lbs.....

 

Yes, 3.92. Thank you!!!

 

Empty. From what I have read, I'm assuming the people in the vehicle, their sum of weight should be added to the trailer weight. When we travel, we are looking to unload most of the water and the waste before leaving a site. So, we may add 200/300 pounds of cloths, out door table etc. I have read 5600 was the max weight. I can only hope, the extra trans cooler will help much as well as the 46re transmission from the 44re.

 

Yes, 3.92. Thank you!!!

 

Should be OK then.

 

In addition to the transmission cooler, you also want to get an equalizer hitch. This will pull up on the rear of the tow vehicle and keep the nose down. You'll have better control. I've towed massive trailers with an S-10 using the equalizer bars. These don't increase your tow capacity but make it more controllable. The weight will be on all 4 wheels instead of just the rear. Those hitches aren't cheap new but you can often find them used. Just be sure you get the complete hitch assembly.

 

Thank you for the info. Safety first!! Any recommendations from the link below?

Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution w/ 4-Point Sway Control - No Shank - 12,000 lbs GTW, 1,200 lbs TW Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution Hitch EQ37121ET (etrailer.com)

 

I guess you noticed they aren't cheap. I got mine around 1989 or so and it ran over $300 back then. The one you linked to is a little more sophisticated than mine. Then again, 30+ years will see some improvement. The lift tool is a LOT more improved as mine is just a piece of straight pipe. Using a Class III receiver, you can keep it and swap it to other vehicles down the years. Due to the weight of handling it, I have other, lighter hitches to go into the receiver, but I keep it for things like car trailers as the trailer will be nose heavy. I especially like the clamp on of the brackets. Mine slips over the trailer bars and I had to notch my trailer bars for the adjustment bars.

E-trailer is a newer name for an older company. I've dealt with them several times over the years. I needed wheels with an odd bolt pattern and got wheel and tire assemblies that I'm still using with no issues. They ship fairly fast too.