I have a 2004 Dodge Dakota quad cab 4x4 3.7 V6. We are thinking of getting a camping trailer the trailer GVWR is 3626 lbs with a cargo capacity of 791 lbs so the total Wt. will be about 4600lbs. the truck has a factory towing package and the trailer has electric brakes on it. So I am thinking to it is all said and done we will be towing about 5000 lbs. do you all think that this will be too much to tow for this truck? We will be doing a lot of towing in Vermont that state has a good bit of hills in it.

THANKS MUCH.

 

Max towing for an 04 Dakota 4x4 is 5850 I think.

 

Unless that number is specific to the 04's, I thought all second gen 4x4s could tow a max of 6500.

Since you said the trailer has brakes I would assume you'd be fine.

 

My 2001 Dodge Dakota QC with a 4.7 is rated to tow 5750 w/ 3.92 diff gears for comparison. However the Dakota is rated at its max to have a GCWR of 10,500 lbs. so your truck can stop and manage your load with out concern. However if I remember, your engine is not capable of towing that much weight. Specifically regarding hills, on the flat road it will not be fast but should manage. Also you need to take into account your gearing. This is from dodge directly, I hope it helps.
http://www.dodge.com/towing/D/vehicl...c+Transmission

 

Thanks for all your help. Maybe we will not get it, we are talking about getting a pop up that will be easier on the truck.


If the truck engine do`s not have the power to tow will the trans go out? THANKS.

 

Check your owners manual or ask your dealer. Towing capacities vary from year to year.

You have the tow package so likely have the 3.92 gears already. You should also have a factory external transmission cooler.

It's not so much the transmission going out, but it can overheat. The limits also reflect handling and braking ability.

Good luck - don't give up yet.

 

Just an update I was out of town for two weeks. I did check the owner’s manual and I did not see anything on how much I can tow. In side on my glove box I did see the truck has 3.55 gears. I do have a factory Trans cooler.


So the big question is did anyone ever try towing 46000 lbs. with this combo 4x4 3.7L V6 with 3.55 gears’ will get a brake controller if we think that the truck will do the job.


THANKS MUCH FOR ALL YOUR HELP!!! I just don’t what to by a camper then find out the truck cannot do the job.

 

The auto is what is gonna kill you the most. It wont be fast but it can pull it, I would look at getting a v8 if you really want this size camper. We had around 5,000lbs on my buddies 3.9 with the 5 speed and it did good but stopping was another story. The manual really helps out with what you can pull.

 

I used to tow 7000 pounds with mine pretty regularly (until I bought a Suburban to do the towing) and it was quite an adventure every time. It was a dog going up hills and didn't like stopping coming down them. That's with a 5.2L V-8, 4.11 gears, a manual transmission, and brakes on both trailer axles. I'm guessing that towing 5000 pounds with your V-6 automatic would be roughly equivalent.

 

I think if you try it you will be in for a real adventure. I've towed about 2600 with my 3.9 V6 and 5 speed. I keep it in 4th gear. My trailer did not have brakes so I can't really speak to braking, but I expect you will be frustrated by the lack of power.