So I finally figured out how the load leveling works. LOL! After visiting the Dodge site, I know that it is standard on all models.

I went to look at a 14 Durango RT yesterday and the salesman couldnt tell me if the Class IV tow package equipped RT was equipped with the load leveling or how the load leveling worked.
We had been considering a Land Rover LR4 and I looked at the Durango on a whim without doing any research. We are considering a SUV for my wife and getting rid of her Super Crew truck. I currently have a 14 RAM 1500 RT and I asked if the HEMI in the Durango RT was bumped to the 395/410 version...he said "yes". GEEEEZ!! I cant stand salesweasels who dont know anything about the cars they are selling...
But I digress...

So even though I dont tow with my RT 1500 very often, because its a reg cab so the family doesnt quite fit in it... I have towed with it some and know how my truck tows and I love it. I'm guessing the Durango will tow my 5k lb boat/trailer with relative ease.
But I'm looking for comments by folks who use their Durango for towing on occasion. Do the load leveling shocks really work well? Hows the power and stability in the real world?

Thank you!

 

Yes, it will pull your 5k boat with ease. Mine does. I also have zero doubt it would handle it's full rating very well. the 8 speed does great and it's weight distribution makes it excellent on a wet slippery boat ramp.

 

I have the 2013 Durango 5.7 and I tow a 72 Cutlass that weighs 3600 lbs on an open trailer . Not sure what trailer weighs. Tows great. Just make sure you have a enough weight on the tongue so the trailer dont swerve.

 

Hi, we tow our 6500 lbs, 26 foot boat and trailer with our 13 RT AWD. It has plenty of power and tows really well. Only complain I have is that the load leveling suspension takes a while to adjust. It took some getting used to coming from a navigator with auto adjust air suspension.
We are very happy with our DD RT. I posted a few launching and retrieving videos on you tube that you can check out. You can search Rinker 246 on you tube.

 

That's funny, I'm pretty sure I watched your video in 2013 before I pulled the trigger on my 14 R/T

 

Thanks guys! The load leveling feature is my biggest conncern. I really want it to work. Ive had air bags on one of my past Fords but it was leveled up front and I didnt want the *** end to blatantly sag so I installed an auto leveling airbag system on the back. It was awesome. None of my other trucks were leveled so I really didnt need any air bags on them. The LR4 has outstanding 4 corner air bags and load leveling so theres no concen there. My cocern is tha the Duango RT sits so low already, I dont want that *** end squating the whole time I'm towing.

 

HOLY worst place ever for a boat ramp Batman!!! Yikes!

Thank you! I checked out the videos. I does look to pull that big boat out with no drama. I was watching the 4 minute long video where you were launching it. To me, the rear end still looked like it was sagging. If that is Dodges idea of load leveling, They should not be advertising it as such. That does not look leveled to me. Maybe that was an anomoly?
Anyone else have any feedback?

I still want the Durango but the lack of proper load leveling might be a deal breaker for the RT...that is pretty dissapointing. But hell, its the RT I want so that might be a deal breaker for the Durango period....I'm going to start looking for an air bag system that might work for the Durango. I'd be willing to put about a grand it if I can find a good one.

 

I tow a 16.5' fishing boat across WI occasionally with my 2012 V6 awd model. Boat loaded with gear, truck loaded with gear and family. The thing does fine, handles well even loaded down.

Steve

 

That video was a table rock lake. Like I mentioned the RT takes a few miles to load level. When we launched we just came down from the our condos boat parking area after hooking up the trailer. It's only a few meters away from the boat ramp so the RT's load level has not fully pumped up to its normal ride height. That's why you see it sagging in that video.
If you read the nivomat load leveling instructions I says it takes about 2 miles for it to load level.
I tow a couple times every summer about 450 miles each way and never had issues we the rear suspension. We usually go to table rock lake or torch lake and there are lots of hills to climb and many miles of mountain roads.
Hope this helps.

 

When does table rock warm up enough (mid 80's) for swimming?