Purchasing a Durango GT AWD 3.6 Tow IV Pkg tomorrow. Has anyone had experience towing a 6,000 lb boat/trailer combo 20 miles round trip to the boat ramp and back...up and over some hills? I do not want the HEMI V8 because this is a daily driver for me...and the gas mileage is horrible.

 

I personally would not tow that much behind a vehicle not designed for that much weight. Once you add passengers to the tow vehicle, you've exceeded capacity of the tow vehicle. From my experience of towing a 4000 boat, once I add gear and passengers to my tow vehicle and boat, the weight obviously goes up, and I am now realistically towing 4600# I always like to have a minimum of 10% margin of error, in other words, if tow capacity is 6200# then my towable weight with passengers and gear would not exceed 5400#. I don't like the tail wagging the dog even if it is only 20 miles. Also, in your situation, your tongue weight is likely too much for the Durango. I think your towing set up is dangerous and ill advised and you are putting yourself and others at risk as you lumber down the highway IMHO. A larger SUV or truck is what you really need here.

 

I would not exceed the rating of the tow vehicle. If something were to happen to it, the warranty would be voided if they determined it was from exceeding the rating.

 

I concur with GDM & jkeaton.

You should heed there comments. Too much weight can push your DD.

 

I should have been more detailed on my towing...Currently, I am towing about 4500 lbs (boat 3800 lbs/trailer dual axle, including 50 Gallons of Gas). I am considering a boat that weighs 1,000 more lbs...or a total of 5500 lbs (Gas weight included). Which leaves 700 lbs for passengers/gear.

 

Ditto what I said before. No margin of room for error. What you are currently towing would be all I would consider for a Durango with 3.6 engine.