Well I got a call from a co-worker who was in a bind the other day. His brothers Impala died, the ECU was friend about 2 hrs south. They needed it towed back.

So in a bind we got the U-Haul car trailer and went down. I had to use the bumper ball since I dont have a receiver hitch and we didnt have time to get one installed.

Thoughts on the experience:

You could feel that trailer back there, especially in the city. Once we got on the highway, you could feel it but it wasnt as bad.

The little V6 got the job done, but you could feel it struggling especially getting it up to speed. Once we got going it wasnt bad.

Gas mileage was in the 10-11 MPG range, with cruise and tow mode on and the A/C running. About what I figured it would be.


Overall I would kill for a diesel. But the V6 got the job done. Even with 2WD and no limited slip. I am figuring the total tow weight was in the 3-4000 pound range. Not exactly sure.

Things I would do differently is definately get a good reciever hitch and get a tranny cooler. I am not sure if the tranny would have made it if things we done in stop and go traffic. But at 60 on the highway there was enough air moving I suppose to help keep the tranny cooler.

Other than that, I will give the truck credit, it made the trip, a little over 210 miles. Even the brakes werent all that bad, just had to give yourself extra space.

Just thought I would share my experience with the V6 and towing.

Edit, I have a 2005 Quad Cab V6 SLT

 

Glad the Dak did good. Sometimes just gotta test the limits. I have an 02 Dak QC 4x4 with the 3.9L V6. No joke, no fibs, I pulled a 3/4 ton Dodge Cummins Diesel out of a mud pit with it. It strained a little bit, but it got the job done. Didn't have winch on front of my truck at the time, I used chain hooked up to receiver.

 

Look under your rear bumper and see how badass the reinfocement is on the ball area. My frickin hidden hitch actually uses it as a mounting point. Im sure the 2k limit is being safer than needed.

 

You're looking at closer to 5k. Impalas are pretty heavy, especially the mid 90's.

 

Actually found out it wasnt an Impala but a 99 Stratus. So still a bit heavy not as bad. I honestly didnt look that close and just figured thats what it was since his other car is a Lumina and his bro said Impala by mistake.

Thanks all, just wanted to share my experience, take what you will from it.

 

wow, you are the first 05-06 V6 dak ive seen around here.....amazing

 

<--- rocks the 3.7

 

actualy ALL 3rd gen dakotas have the same trailer hitch, they just dont put a lower reciever on the non tow package models.the bumper isnt suporting anything, except itself.

 

Nah Im not the only one, there are a few on this board, they just dont post as much as the 4.7 guys do.