I just traded in my wife's '06 Caddi SRX on a '12 Durango Crew. It has the V6 with every option (including the factory package) except a sunroof and rear DVD. We haven't taken delivery of it yet, but one of the main reasons for getting it is the ability to tow.

It will be my wife's DD, and my tow vehicle, when I need it. I'll be towing an 18' trailer with a race car and appropriate supporting items. The car weighs about 3400lbs, and another 800 or so for other items.

I'm shopping for a trailer now, and am considering paying the higher prie for an aluminum trailer to save on weight.

So, does anyone regularly tow a 5-6k lb load with their V6?

 

Factory fitted hitch?

Should be fine, if there are no big hills in the way :-)

 

Ya, factory tow package, and being in TX, not too many hills to consider

I think I talked myself into the aluminum trailer last night though.

Car = 3400lbs
Tires, tools, tire rack, etc = ~800lbs
Steel trailer = ~2000lbs
Aluminum trailer = ~1000lbs

So total with steel trailer = 6200lbs
Total with aluminum trailer = 5200lbs

I'd like to have some cushion between actual weight and max capacity.

 

Good call! ;-)

 

I'm in the same boat as you and think a hemi would be better. An aluminum trailer will cost you 3-4 grand more than a steel/wood one. The hemi is $1500 and you can buy a lot of gas for $1500-2500. Also I think you could get the same mileage towing with the hemi and v6 (which would have to work harder)

 

I tow about 2500lbs and NP on the straight road. In hills I am often in 3rd gear. Pulling twice that would really be pushing it I think. Plus you'd probably be down to getting mileage in the V8 range.

 

Thanks guys. I agree a Hemi would be better for towing. Actually, I wanted a 4 door diesel pickup for the towing, but this is my wife's daily driver and she has to be happy driving it everyday.

Fuel economy was a big concern for her when we were looking, as our old Cadillac SRX was getting 17-19 with the V6. So far (only 2 days), the Durango is getting 19.5 - 23 mpg with mixed driving. I don't think the Hemi would get anywhere near those #s.

I'll end up using it to tow about 6-8 times a year, when attending track events. With a 6200lb towing capacity and a V6 getting this kind of DD mileage, I think it was a great compromise.

 

I wanted to add this for those out there that are undecided on the V6 vs the Hemi.

I have a 2012 Citadel with the Hemi and had expected poor fuel economy but needed the extra towing capacity for my Mastercraft boat (6000 lb+). I have been driving it now for about 3 weeks and am getting much better fuel economy that expected.

Averaging 19.5 mixed driving and have achieved 22.4 on the highway. These numbers were confirmed with actual gas log calculations (There's and app for that!). Now I use the adaptive cruise control all of the time and have been driving very conservative. I did reset the computer and calculate the round down stop and go with me driving much more... shall we say "spirited" and it was in the 15-17mpg range. Still very reasonable as compare to my 08 1500 Ram with the same engine (5.7L Hemi)

Just data points for everyone.
B

 

I too have the Hemi V8 and can vouch for the above. The on board computer is VERY pessimistic but calculations at the pump indicate similar figures. I have had my Citadel since July 2011 and tow a great deal, nearly every weekend.

A couple of points for those who do tow, with or without factory installed equipment, if your DD is equipped, use the vehicle info on the DIC to keep an eye on transmission temperature etc. Just a tip as some may not know it is even there ;-)