Can anyone advise? I have a 2005 Durango w/heavy duty towing package. I was told not to tow anything w/o the tow switch in mode, causing the overdrive (4th and 5th) gear) to drop out. If I am pulling a small trailer, on the interstate, what is the top speed I can go w/o burning the thing up? Any clearity will be appreciated.

Rick

 

Maybe this link can help:

http://www.allpar.com/model/durango-2004.html

FF

 

I have a 04 D w/hemi and 3.92 gears and pull a 4700 lb open car trailer with car on top in overdrive (tow haul off). At 70 mph going up fairly good inclines in cruise it stays locked in overdrive. The top of the D is the same height as the car on the trailer so it's not pushing any wind. When pulling my 3000 lb enclosed 6X16 trailer that sits 30" higher than the D the trans will come out of lock-up on slight grades so generally I leave it in tow-hall. I pull both trailers a total of 7k miles a year.

Here's the best way to judge if you need to use the tow haul mode. While driving down the interstate put the car in cruise at 70mph with the tow haul off. Let the cruise decide when to downshift. If the trans stays in lock-up the majority of the time with the tow haul off then you're good to go in this mode. If the trans is constantly coming out of lock-up into the tow-haul mode and back to lock-up by its self then you need to run in the tow-haul mode.

Chances are (99.5%) that you have the 3.55 gears as the 3.92 were a separate order and did not come in the towing package. Even so you should be able to tow 2000 - 3000 lbs if the trailer height is not taller than the top of the D without any problem in overdrive.

I run 89 octane fuel while towing and 87 when not towing. Over 100k miles on my D with no problems.