I’m currently looking into a new to us truck purchase, and wonder if the Dakota may be a good option for our needs.

Due to a new boat purchase, our Buick Rainier may not be the best tv when we go camping, due to our 2500 towing our camper.

Main reason being the factory receiver hitch max weights of 400lbs tw/ 4,000lbs total trailer when using a weight carrying ball. IF I used a wdh, the max weights bump up to 750lbs tw, 5,600lbs trailer for our 6cyl.

BUT using a wdh with surge brakes can be a challenge to still have them work properly!!!

Our new boat is ~480lbs tw, ~4,800lbs loaded (on the trailer) with a full tank of fuel. Without the stereo upgrade and any life jackets/ anchor/ fenders... was 460lbs tw, 4,500lbs with a full fuel tank.

So with the info of why we are looking for a more capable tv for our boat, please give me the good and bad of a Dakota 4.7l/ auto. Cab and bed is open. A regular or extended cab will work as we will be keeping the Rainier due to our twin boys turning 16 very soon.

It sounds like the 4.7 is fairly reliable. What would be the point mileage wise if being concerned, pending the maintenance?

Is the trans reliable?

Axle reliability?

What is the factory receiver hitch weight ratings?

Thank you for help as it seems a Dakota may be slightly less price wise vs a full size 1500.

 

While I can't comment on the 4.7L/powertrain and weight limits, I can tell you that after a day on the water with my jet ski, having the relatively low bed sides of the Dakota to reach over and set all the equipment into the full space of the bed after rinsing off at the ramp washdown to allow to dry is incredibly convenient compared to the limiting high bed sides of any new 1500. Unless you're at least about 6'5" or have side-steps, most of the bed is unreachable except from the tailgate on one of those things.

It's the small things like that where "bigger isn't necessarily better"...If you can find a clean and well-maintained one that fits your needs, I don't think you'd regret it.

You can find the original sales brochures by year here to get some general towing specifications: http://www.auto-brochures.com/dodge.html

 

My wife and I owned two Dodge RAM Big Horns. Mine was a 2012 with the 5.7 Hemi and her was a 2010 with the 4.7 Liter. Gas mileage sucked on the 4.7. She was lucky to ever get 16 miles to the gallon. Also the 4.7 has issue with oil sludge as the engine gets older. If you can afford it I would go with a RAM with a Hemi in it.

 

If you look for a Dakota, just make sure it has the Tow Package, not all are equipped with it. And one with 3.92 gearing would be a better choice than the more common 3.55 gears. Below is an example of towing capabilities of the 2007 Dakota, bed size, gears, engine, and trans change the numbers.

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Plug the VIN of trucks your looking at into the link below (Any Dodge vehicles), replace the xxxxx with the VIN, then press enter. = Instant Build Sheet.
It will show how the truck was equipped as it left the factory, check for gears and Tow Group.

https://www.dodge.com/webselfservice...vlet?vin=xxxxx

 

TY to all!!!

My wife wasn’t crazy about the styling of the Dakotas, so we ended up with a Ram 1500 CCSB 5.7/8spd/3.92 4x4. I don’t see any issues towing the boat with this new beast!!!

TY again!!!

 

You're better off with the Ram for towing for sure.

Congrats, and happy boating.

 

TY!!!