i've got a 2000 quad cab 4x4 dakota with a 4.7L and an automatic transmission. i know it has the tow package with all the extra goodies (extra mechanical rad fan, auxiliarry trans cooler, power steering cooler, etc). i believe i have a 3.55 rear axle.

i'd like to buy a medium sized travel (22-26 feet) trailer if i can. i've never towed anything heavier than a speed boat, so i've never really had to learn what all the tow rating #'s mean. i know there's a payload weight rating, a hitch weight rating, an axle rating, GVWR, GCWR, GAWR, etc, but i don't really know what all the numbers mean.

the guy at the local dealership said generically that my truck is rated for 3500# with a 350# toungue weight for a trailer WITHOUT trailer brakes, and 6500# with 1250# toungue weight for a trailer WITH trailer brakes. i understand why the trailer weight would go up if you have trailer brakes, buy why the toungue weight? i asked him and he said he didn't know, which leads me to not want to listen to anything he says.

can anyone 1st explain what all the numbers actually mean, and then tell me in laymen's terms what i can actually tow? thanks!

ultimately i just want to know how big of a camper i can buy. if you have any experience towing campers with your dakota, let me know what you can tow! thanks!

 

well I'm don't tow anything but i know that you can carry anything that the suspension can handle and that you can stop i believe that the tongue needs to be higher for the way it is build

 

a 2001 dakota. gross vehicle weight rating. position 4. F= 4001-5000 lbs. G=5001-6000 lbs. lbs. H=6001-7001 lbs.

 

position 4? F/G/H? yep, i have no idea what any of those mean. haha

 

I just tow waht I feel comfortable. Max, I wouldn't do more than 5-7000lbs on a trailer with brakes, dual axle, and for me, lower tongue weight the better(to an extent). You need to keep in mind, as you put weight on your rear axle, your front end is unweighted (70% of braking and umm 100% of turning responsibility). So, just keep that in mind. I've towed easily 4500 without concern. Only issue was remembering you need some good distance to stop, or, good insurace. haha.

 

ayoung....I think moe means position 4 in your VIN. Look for the letter and it'll tell you what you can tow.....I think?

 

dakmm is right its the vin 4 pos. and i just through pulling a lot of weight, but had no way of knowing how much i was loading. i havent even look at my gvw.

 

Look on the side of the factory hitch for your ratings. Mine still is legible, even with all the salt they use up here.

 

The hitch will just tell you how much the hitch is rated for, more than likely it's a Class 3. You shouldn't push the capacity of the hitch itself, although I have done it in the past, but it doesn't mean the truck itself can't tow more.

Class I —up to 2,000 pounds
Class II —up to 3,500 pounds
Class III —up to 5,000 pounds
Class IV —up to 10,000 pounds

 

According to the 2000 owners manual, A 4x4 2000 Dakota with the 4.7, auto transmission, and 3.55 gears can have a Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating, that's the total weight of the truck, trailer, cargo, people, and fluids: 9500 pounds.