I have a 2000 3.9 V6 and am going to pick up a new car. I had planned on driving it back but it's a race car and it would be better to tow even though it is street legal.

It dawned on me it's FWD so I could use a dolly.

I can't seem to find a real towing capacity number for this truck. It's a 2000 V6 "Sport" model. Single cab. It is a 5 speed manual. Will this tow a dolly and car? The car is a 2005 Mazda3, specs say it weighs 2900 - 3100lbs.

Would I struggle? I would be getting the car in TN and taking it back to GA. So I think there would be some hilly terrain. Would I run into issues with either making it up hills or going down steep hills with a dolly?

What type of hitch should I get for the truck?

 

Doh!

Somehow missed the towing links in the stickied FAQ. Anyone know how to tell what my axle ratio is?

 

Generally, anything can tow anything. See: the toyota/space shuttle experiment. The variable is just what fuel mileage to expect, and being able to stop. Seeing as a tow dolly and spec-prep mazda anything doesn't weigh but little more than a feather, I think you'll be fine.

 

Gear ratio will be listed on the paper posted on in the glove box. Biggest part is being able to stop. Good brakes is the key. Shouldnt have a problem towing that.

 

It has a 3.55 rear end.

2000, 3.9 V6, 5 speed manual, 3.55 rear end. I don't have a hitch yet but believe the class 3 is what I need. Brakes could be a concern...drums in the rear...steep hills through north GA and TN....

 

Ya I'm going to say this, I would be concerned. The whole set up sounds no good, as much as I hate them I'd pay $300 bucks and have a transport company do it. Or borrow a buddy's bigger truck. You'll save that much in gas, modifications like a hitch and more. I know that terrain (it can be brutal for towing) and you'll be suffering from lack of power, brakes, proper equipment.

 

what size drums do you have? The 9x2.25 are considered stronger than the 10 or 11x2" drums. The 9's were actually the brake upgrade package, believe it or not.

Go to the junkyard and find a hitch there. Paid $60 for mine, already pulled and sitting on a rack. With a car dolly and mazda, I wouldn't be worried about going up the hills with the 5 speed. Just pull down a gear.

 

Normally I'd say he is with in limits, which is true. The terrain he is going through worries me, I'm concerned about him overheating or overworking the engine and tranny. I'd say he'd be lucky to get to 3rd gear on parts of the trip. I mean it's not like there are 5% grade hills the whole trip. But there are hills that climb or descend for miles.

 

I haul mulch for my plant beds every spring with my '97 3.9 Sport, 5 speed trans, and I think I have the 3.2 rear axle (may be wrong on that). We may have identical power trains.

I move 3 cubic yards of triple shred at a time in a 500 lb trailer, with a 3500 lb axle, so the trailer load weighs maybe 2,600 lbs loaded.

The truck handles it just fine, but I don't usually hit 5th gear. It needs 4th to pull it well.

Last summer I moved my daughter from Harrisonburg VA back to Raleigh NC and towed a 5x8 Uhaul both directions, obviously loaded on the way home but not so much weight, maybe 750 lbs plus the trailer, so say 1,650 total (I think the trailer was 900 lbs). I had no trouble pulling it, but on the hills I stayed in 4th gear and on some hills I could not hold 60 mph.

I think the Dakota is a great little truck for what it is, but there are times you just need a V8. I do not think I'd try doing what the OP is proposing, at least not in the mountains.

I haven't priced rentals, but I wonder what it would take to rent a full size truck for a couple days?

 

Depends where you rent the truck from. Our local u haul charges like 29.99 a day. Then x amount for the amount of miles you go over