Hi guys,

I own a RAM 1500 I purchased new in 2014 ONLY to pull our Coleman 26' (5,485 lbs dry) Travel Trailer, I dont have any other use for a truck. I am really tempted to change it for a new Durango because I love how this 3rd gen looks. I been looking for towing capacity and of course the best is the 8cyl 6.4L model which can tow 8,700 pounds (maybe more than needed) but 50k+ for me is kind of hard so I am thinking then in a 6cyl model which can tow 6,200 pounds (pretty much the same as my Grand Cherokee). Did any of you have experience towing a similar RV and what is your experience? I am in Colorado, so almost every campground we go I have to drive through the mountains. I am worry to pull the trigger for a 6cyl model and then find out that almost can't pull it. I just found the 8cyl 5.7 model which can pull 7400 pounds but I have no idea about price because my dealer online webpage and others only say 8cyl and dont specify litters.

Bottom line, if you are pulling a similar RV which model you are using and what is your experience?

I appreciate any help, thanks in advance.

 

The V-6 is not able to handle such a load, especially once you load the trailer and Durango with your gear and passengers . I have the V-6 and pull a boat that is just over 4000# (includes passengers and luggage in the DD and gear in boat). My DD is adequate for this towing application, but I would not pull something heavier....I like to have a margin of error in towing capacity and not take it to the limit. I can't comment on the DD equipped with V-8 and added towing capacity, but think you would be pushing it's limit with your trailer once loaded. I'd stick to using the truck to tow your trailer...better tow vehicle IMO.

 

If you use a 6cyl to tow 5K+ pounds you will be horribly disappointed and you will struggle on hills.
I also agree that it makes 0 sense to use a sport utility for a pick up's job when you have the choice.

 

I went from a Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.7L, 6sp AT towing 5700 pound enclosed trailer to a Durango R/T 5.7L, 8sp AT towing 6400 pounds with an equalizer hitch. The Jeep Grand Cherokee was fine going through the mountains towing the 5700 pound trailer. However when I attached the 6400 pound trailer (same trailer different car inside) it struggled on the hills. There is also a big difference weight wise between the Grand Cherokee and the Durango, 4300 versus 5200 pounds. The trailer sway with side winds or tractor-trailer buffeting was noticeable with the Grand Cherokee and kept me busy with the heavier trailer. The Durango with a longer wheelbase and additional weight made a big difference in reducing the trailer sway.

 

I had a 2011 Durango with the 5.7L and used it to pull my 19' travel trailer. I had a weight distribution hitch and anti-sway bar. It towed that 19' unit with no issue as long as there wasn't a strong side wind at highway speeds. As my family grew, I got a 30' travel trailer. The place I bought it from was 2 hours away from home so I towed my 19' there to trade in and pulled the 30' unit home. I stopped 3 different times on the way home to re-adjust my weight distribution as it was borderline terrifying to tow. After a few camping trips I bought heavier rated torsion springs for the weight distribution hitch system. When that didn't make things better, I installed air bags in the rear springs of the Durango and tried several different inflation pressures. Nothing seemed to give me confidence towing the 30' travel trailer. Ultimately I traded the Durango in on a 2014 Ram 1500 with 5.7L and couldn't be happier. The longer wheelbase made a VERY noticeable difference in the towing stability.

For towing a large boat I think the Durango would do perfectly fine. But for something tall and flat-sided, you're going to want the longer wheelbase. If you're not interested in downsizing your travel travel, I'd suggest you stick with the Ram. The Durango with V8 has the power to tow the camper, but not the wheelbase in my opinion.

-Rod

 

FWIW, I pulled a U-Haul Tandem axel trailer with a used BMW 135i from Western Iowa to West Michigan this past spring with a 2011 Durango Express V6 with 185,000 mile on her. It more than impressed me with the power and torque it had for such a heavy load (6,000#), up and down the rolling hills of Iowa and thru the Chicago stop and go Traffic. I kept the DIC on Tranny temp as i had some reservation about the tow before hand was even trying to rent a pick up truck, the Tranny temps never got hot and were very stable in 80 degree temps. When the truck option didn't come thru it was up to the old gal to do it, and it impressed me very much. Now granted a travel trailer is going to buffet a lot of wind so that certainly plays into it. All I'm saying is don't underestimate the 3.6, heck i don't even have the trailer tow package.

 

I tow a 25' Jayco trailer that is about the same weight with my 2015 Durango R/T (5.7l). I have a a weight distributing anti sway hitch which is essential. The power and braking seem to be fine. Wind was a huge issue before I installed the WDH. On concrete freeways, it really wants to bounce at certain speeds. I have heard that these same freeways are also a problem for a friend with a Ram 2500 and big trailer, so it's not just my rig... but still, i try to take state roads and avoid interstates.

The 6.4l engine is only in the SRT, and probably overkill if you are only buying it for towing. The 5.7 v8 is standard in RT and available on Citadel, possibly could be found on lower trims but i suspect rare if it exists. I have also owned a 2012 model with a V6 and would not recommend towing your camper with it, especially in a hilly region.

Also important, you need to be sure you buy one with the factory towing package which has trailer brake wiring and heavy duty cooling systems. Look for a 2014 or later model to get the 8 speed transmission, which is a huge improvement over the earlier model.