so lets start this off right
i have a cortex tow tune installed in my 2010 quad cab 4.7L flexfuel automatic

im thinking about towing a 22' enclosed dual axle quad trailer
the trailer has electric brakes in it

the gvwr is 10,500 stamped on the tongue of the trailer

i have a weight distribution/loadlevel hitch (ball and 2 support bars that get clamped to the tongue of the trailer)

now i pulled the trailer out of its hiding hole at my shop and am planning a 6hr drive to a quadtastic weekend at the end of july

i will be servicing the trailer tires/brakes as it has been sitting

and installing a brake controller and possabily airbags in the rear of my dak

the question to yall is can i do it?

i used to pull this trailer with my full size bronco (351cid auto) many years ago without airbags (yes i used the stabilhitch setup on that as well)

ive pulled is with a 2500 longbed quad cab hemi ram and it towed like a dream

also used a 2500 long bed standard cab 1984 chevy with addaleaf and it was fine

now all these vehicles were bigger than the dakota with the closest being the bronco (f150) and the dak is basically a 1500 from the 90s (another rant entirely)

am i crazy to think that the dak can pull it for 6+hours into PA mountains

im not gonna be doin 80mph but 65-70 would be nice

 

My 2010 2WD extended cab, tow package (3.92:1), 4.7 V8 Flex-Fuel Dakota has (IIRC) the highest capacity of the Dakotas @7250lbs. With the trailer, you are at least 25% overloaded at full trailer capacity. Lightly loaded you may be within spec. You need to determine the actual weight of the trailer and it's contents. All the towing options you have mentioned won't change how much you are rated to tow, but they are all good items to have and will make your towing easier from a comfort and control standpoint. Physics is physics though. You can only safely stop a certain amount of weight. The 2008+ 4.7 has a higher HP rating than the earlier 4.7's, but it makes it's power higher up in the revs. The tow tune will help. Pulling that large of a trailer, I wouldn't consider your proposed trip without installing a plate (as opposed to tube and fin) type auxiliary transmission cooler. Mountain driving, heavy, for a minimum of six hours could take a toll on the transmission. Depending on the mileage on your Dak, a full service (both filters) with synthetic trans fluid would be prudent. A flush and fill of the engine coolant, and close inspection of hoses and belts, including the heater hoses would be smart too. The primary safety factor though is to ensure your brakes are 100%.


Dodge * Towing Capacity (lbs.) 2010 Models
Dakota extended cab ST, 3.7-liter V6, 2WD short bed, 3.55:1 axle 4,650
Dakota extended cab ST, 3.7-liter V6, 2WD short bed, 3.92:1 axle 4,950
Dakota extended cab ST, 4.7-liter V8, 2WD short bed, 3.55:1 axle 6,050
Dakota extended cab ST, 4.7-liter V8, 2WD short bed, 3.92:1 axle 7,250
Dakota extended cab ST, 3.7-liter V6, 4WD short bed, 3.92:1 axle 4,750
Dakota extended cab ST, 4.7-liter V8, 4WD short bed, 3.55:1 axle 5,850
Dakota extended cab ST, 4.7-liter V8, 4WD short bed, 3.92:1 axle 7,050
Dakota crew cab ST, 3.7-liter V6, 2WD short bed, 3.55:1 axle 4,500
Dakota crew cab ST, 3.7-liter V6, 2WD short bed, 3.92:1 axle 4,800
Dakota crew cab ST, 4.7-liter V8, 2WD short bed, 3.55:1 axle 5,850
Dakota crew cab ST, 4.7-liter V8, 2WD short bed, 3.92:1 axle 7,050
Dakota crew cab ST, 3.7-liter V6, 4WD short bed, 3.92:1 axle 4,650
Dakota crew cab ST, 4.7-liter V8, 4WD short bed, 3.55:1 axle 5,700
Dakota crew cab ST, 4.7-liter V8, 4WD short bed, 3.92:1 axle 6,900
Dakota extended cab SXT, 3.7-liter V6, 2WD short bed, 3.55:1 axle 4,650
Dakota extended cab SXT, 3.7-liter V6, 2WD short bed, 3.92:1 axle 4,950
Dakota extended cab SXT, 4.7-liter V8, 2WD short bed, 3.55:1 axle 6,000
Dakota extended cab SXT, 4.7-liter V8, 2WD short bed, 3.92:1 axle 7,200
Dakota extended cab SXT, 3.7-liter V6, 4WD short bed, 3.92:1 axle 4,750
Dakota extended cab SXT, 4.7-liter V8, 4WD short bed, 3.55:1 axle 5,800
Dakota extended cab SXT, 4.7-liter V8, 4WD short bed, 3.92:1 axle 7,000
Dakota crew cab SXT, 3.7-liter V6, 2WD short bed, 3.55:1 axle 4,500
Dakota crew cab SXT, 3.7-liter V6, 2WD short bed, 3.92:1 axle 4,800
Dakota crew cab SXT, 4.7-liter V8, 2WD short bed, 3.55:1 axle 5,850
Dakota crew cab SXT, 4.7-liter V8, 2WD short bed, 3.92:1 axle 7,050
Dakota crew cab SXT, 3.7-liter V6, 4WD short bed, 3.92:1 axle 4,600
Dakota crew cab SXT, 4.7-liter V8, 4WD short bed, 3.55:1 axle 5,650
Dakota crew cab SXT, 4.7-liter V8, 4WD short bed, 3.92:1 axle 6,700
Dakota crew cab Laramie, 3.7-liter V6, 2WD short bed, 3.55:1 axle 4,450
Dakota crew cab Laramie, 3.7-liter V6, 2WD short bed, 3.92:1 axle 4,750
Dakota crew cab Laramie, 4.7-liter V8, 2WD short bed, 3.55:1 axle 5,650
Dakota crew cab Laramie, 4.7-liter V8, 2WD short bed, 3.92:1 axle 6,850
Dakota crew cab Laramie, 3.7-liter V6, 4WD short bed, 3.92:1 axle 4,500
Dakota crew cab Laramie, 4.7-liter V8, 4WD short bed, 3.55:1 axle 5,550
Dakota crew cab Laramie, 4.7-liter V8, 4WD short bed, 3.92:1 axle 6,750
Dakota crew cab TRX, 3.7-liter V6, 4WD short bed, 3.92:1 axle 4,450
Dakota crew cab TRX, 4.7-liter V8, 4WD short bed, 3.55:1 axle 5,500
Dakota crew cab TRX, 4.7-liter V8, 4WD short bed, 3.92:1 axle 6,700

 

I agree with pretty much everything you said, but would like to make two points.

1. The "tow package" does not automatically mean you have 3.92 gears. I have the factory tow package on my truck, I do not have 3.92 gears. Not saying you don't have those gears, TomZ, I am just letting everyone know (especially people new to the Dakota world) what the "tow package" actually means.
2. I wouldn't do it unless you have budgeted a lot of money for worn out or broken parts. Nothing may break or get overstressed at all, but then again, everything could. The Dakotas are not designed for that type of towing, neither was your Bronco. However, you obviously got away with it in the Bronco, you may here as well... or you may not.

 

the gears would make a world of difference.
I have the 3.55's and regret not making it my first mod.
I tow a 6000lb trailer and stock it just did NOT like me. I do pull through some hills, and it goes ahead and tries to overheat.
What I've done for the towing other than the wiring for brake controller is:
1500# helper springs
30,000 gvwr transmission cooler (huge help in cooling btw, coolant and transmission)
CAI
2.5" Exhaust
Superchips

WITH the mods and my 6,000# camper trailer I do ok, but had to switch my spark plugs with the coldest range plugs I could get to fit the truck.

Your 2010 will have more power, granted, but I would still do the things I've done, but start with gears.

 

Thanks Jason. I was unaware you could get the tow package without 3.92's, The build sheet shows mine does have them.