Towing with 3.7 auto (no tow package)?
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 9
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Towing with 3.7 auto (no tow package)?
Hi guys,
just wondering what everybodys experience is towing with their Dakotas? I have a Crew Cab 2wd with the 3.7 and auto (no tow package) and 3.55 gears. I would like to find out as much about peoples experience with their trucks towing. Doesn't matter what setup you have i.e. 4.7 or 3.7, auto/manuel, gears etc. Just stated what combo you drive and what you think with regards to towing. I am thinking of towing a 3500lb trialer and as it stands I would have to get the tranny fluid cooler and a distribution hitch, but I am weary about the tow capacity of my truck, since the max is only 4500lb with the combo I have.
Like I said, any thoughts are welcome!
Dakota Chris
just wondering what everybodys experience is towing with their Dakotas? I have a Crew Cab 2wd with the 3.7 and auto (no tow package) and 3.55 gears. I would like to find out as much about peoples experience with their trucks towing. Doesn't matter what setup you have i.e. 4.7 or 3.7, auto/manuel, gears etc. Just stated what combo you drive and what you think with regards to towing. I am thinking of towing a 3500lb trialer and as it stands I would have to get the tranny fluid cooler and a distribution hitch, but I am weary about the tow capacity of my truck, since the max is only 4500lb with the combo I have.
Like I said, any thoughts are welcome!
Dakota Chris
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
RE: Towing with 3.7 auto (no tow package)?
get at least a 180 thermostat and that tranny cooler, plus an additional electric fan or two. the front of the dakota is begging for more cooling- right in front of the a/c condensor. I have found it is hard to have too much cooling.
Make sure your auto tranny temperature is around170 degrees or less. I would install a temp gauge (Ialways run manual trannys with towing apps;also dodge auto trannys are known for getting hot- so you must watch your tranny closely.)
If it is set up right - and you watch the tranny and engine coolant temp close and keep engine temp 190 or less, tranny temp 170 or less (my wifes grand cherokee tranny tempstarting smelling burnt and my tranny gauge read 180) and you will be fine. i have towed with a lot of V-6's and straight6's (straight6's are better) but set up well- a V-6 will tow, too.
Make sure your auto tranny temperature is around170 degrees or less. I would install a temp gauge (Ialways run manual trannys with towing apps;also dodge auto trannys are known for getting hot- so you must watch your tranny closely.)
If it is set up right - and you watch the tranny and engine coolant temp close and keep engine temp 190 or less, tranny temp 170 or less (my wifes grand cherokee tranny tempstarting smelling burnt and my tranny gauge read 180) and you will be fine. i have towed with a lot of V-6's and straight6's (straight6's are better) but set up well- a V-6 will tow, too.
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 22
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RE: Towing with 3.7 auto (no tow package)?
I towed a 3500 pound car 750 miles my first day having it. My truck is 3.7 with the 6 speed. It did perfectly the whole way. but im 4wd. And on my truck it sais max tow 4700... yours is 4900. You should have no issue.
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RE: Towing with 3.7 auto (no tow package)?
I have an 06 Quad cab 4.7 with tow package... I pulled a 4700 pound loaded uhaul to florida and back with no problems. I also suggest a tranny cooler though. thats one of teh huge benefits of the towing package.
Record Breaker
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,211
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From: Lebanon, PA
RE: Towing with 3.7 auto (no tow package)?
my truck's details are in my signature...only thing missing from there is the 3.55 gears and i have a tow pack. i've towed probably 5000-6000 (guessing that's what all my stuff weighed when i moved). it hauled it like a champ.
my next tow: my church's 6000 lbs generator (on a dual axle trailer, with 400 feet of cable). i think the generator might be a bit much, but i just want to see how it does on a short hop (5-10 miles in town).
my next tow: my church's 6000 lbs generator (on a dual axle trailer, with 400 feet of cable). i think the generator might be a bit much, but i just want to see how it does on a short hop (5-10 miles in town).