We have a 29' travel trailer that weighs around 8,000 lbs. and have been looking for a tow vehicle. We have looked at a few Durangos (mostly 2005-2007) and have heard the 5.7 HEMI is a great engine for towing, but still concerned about the weight. I have looked online at the Dodge Towing Guide and it states around 7,200 lbs. for the 3.55 gear ratio and 8,300 for the 3.92. So naturally we'd like to find one with a 3.92 but have found this is like looking for a needle in a haystack. So I guess my question is how much weight can the 3.55 tow safely and is there a way to tell when shopping online if it has the 3.92 (like a certain set of letters or numbers in the VIN)? Or do I give up and look for a 2500HD truck? Thanks! Mike

 

That's a lot of weight on Durango.

 

Personally 3.92's are a must in a HEMI if you plan on towing more than 5k, and if you in the mountains just call a tow truck in advance. I have 3.92's, and the Hemi and have towed 7.5k around the flatter parts of colorado but haven't ventured into the mountains yet too much. Two other things that you will need if you plan to successfully tow that kind of a trailer is 1) air bags, preferably with an on-board compressor for adjustability and 2) a WD hitch, i assume the trailer came with one?

Best of luck towing the beast!

Also stay away from HEMI's with MDS but also be leery of 04-05's that have stock engines, and not engine work done yet....

 

That's a big TT!

I would look for a 3/4 truck, personally. Safety first, especially if driving around the family. I would get something that is rated to tow at least 10,000lbs.

Do you want/need a SUV?

The Nissan Armada 4WD is rated to tow 9000lb.

 

I once intended to use my 07 hemi durango to pull my 29' coachmen 8k travel trailer, but after moving it a few times from storage to camground and home I decided it would be in my familys best interest not to. Dont get me wrong, the Hemi has the power and the Durango can do it, but i just didnt feel safe. The suspension just isnt meant for that weight even with the WD hitch. The wind used to blow my 1500 QC around towing it, id imagine it would be worse in the Durango. From experience, id highly recomend a 2500, you wont be bouncing around as much and you can stop alot easier.

 

I towed my Coronet R/T to Carlisle in my Durango (trailer package and 5.7). It was fine with the power, but the trailer pushed the Durango around on the downgrades. This year I will be towing it with my wife's Suburban.
FF