Would the towing capacity for a 2002 dakota 4 door 4x4 automatic with a 3:55 axle ratio be around 6200 lbs.

Kayakman

 

my 01' qd cab 4x4 was rated at 6050 towing with a GCVW of 10,500 max (10,800 with the 5.9L)it had :4.7, auto, 3.92 axle, tow pkg

01' all V-8 with 3.55 axle were rated to 9,200 GCVW

This info comes from an 01' dakota catalog, I hope it helps

 

here is the chart

[IMG]local://upfiles/57176/11C0255C94EC4184A0181EFF48537C2A.jpg[/IMG]

 

So a 4.7 with a 3:55 axle would be able to tow something around 5600-5900 lbs. Would that be right Herkguy?

Cheers Kayakman

 

i wouldnt go much over 5,000 lbs...

 

You have basically the same truck as me. It's 4720 lbs, with a class IV hitch. And don't carry anything else in the truck.

The data should be in your owners manual, on the plate inside your driver's door, and on the hitch.

 

when towing you have to compare three weights.
1. your maximun trailer tow weight( this is usually accomplished with only a driver in the truck, you have to subtract from this anypax and cargo weight
2. your maximum GVWR (this is the maximum your truck with pax and gear can weigh)
3. your maximum GCVWR (this is the combined total of your truck and anything in it and the total trailer weight you have attached to it.

my old truck
example: truck empty weight = 4300, GVWR = 6010, GCVWR= 10500, max trailer weight = 6050

truck has a total capacity of 6010-4300= 1710 (this still has to balanced between the front and rear axle ratings)
towing 10500-6050= 4450, 4450-4300(empty truck)=150 capacity (or a driver)

so you can see that if you want to carry pax and gear you need to reduce trailer weight by their amount.

Yes your truck will move more than this but this is what its rated to do without overloading the frame or brakes. It also makes sure if properly balanced that you should be able to safely control it through all but the most extreme cases.
I towed a 26'camper weighing 4600, family and a little gear with no dificulties. Did that with both my 94' dak and 01' dak( both were v8 with tow pak)

The key is to get your exact numbers from your truck. Looks like trailerlife also shows a 02 as you listed to be rated for 4750 (see trailerlife.com) vehicals, 02 trailer rating, dakota quad cab v8, notes(d,f)

The only thing I can think of is that the 3.55 axle might be lighter duty than the 3.92 because the rest of the truck is the same. (the same motor and tran can pull alot more in a RAM so its not the power train limiting you)

this help?

 

Just a little extra info. My 06' qd cab 4x4 which is set up with 4.7l, auto, 3.92, tow pkg has a new boxedframe and a new GCVWR of 11800, an increase of 1300 over my 01'. The new truck weighs in at 500 more than my 01', so my towing capacity only went up 800 to 6850 total.

 

^^ you have curtians in ur truck ehhhh what does the trx4 add, i havnt even driven a new 06 yet

 

I like to shut them when driving..makes me less scared..lol. Yeh I wanted them for the kids safety as we use this for a family hauler alot .

The 06 TRX4 came with: 4 wheel ABS(huge bonus), skid plates, tow hooks, 1" increase ride height, upgraded shocks(you wouldn't know it though they still suck), heavy duty front and rear slush mats, BFG AT KO tires(great deal), special 16" rims and stickers on the rear quarters(they were added to make it faster). Was one of thier better bang for the buck groups. This combined with the HO motor group(3.92 and limited slip) and the tow group set it up perfect for me, the side airbags were for the family.
In 07'the TRX4 was alittle less,they downgraded the BFGs to trails and took away the 4 wheel ABS