I have a 2006 dakota club cab V-6 and have towed a 1993 jeep cherokee (curb weight 6500lbs) from lima, ohio to columbus, ohio without a tow hitch and it did great. You could tell it was on there, but it had no problems accelerating or braking, the v-6 has plenty of power but if you can get one for the same price, it might be worth getting the v-8 cause they do get about the same gas mileage, but I would say stick with the v-6 if it is cheaper.

 

I'd take the V8. I toss my quad in the back of mine and I hardly know its there. When I toss my girls in a trailer, makes no difference. Its just better.

 

im planning on towing a car this summer to and from the track...truck i haveis a 2006 4.7L v8 dakota....i have a four wheel drive-in dolley (whatever its called) and trying to figure out what i need to buy to connect it on the back of the truck...so far i see there is a hole for the ball on the bumper...but i believe there is something else i need to connect a heavier trailer to the truck...i see all the stuff underneed the bumper...but i dont know what else i need to connect my trailer....

 

A tow package, and a stinger, and a ball. Depending on the size of the tongue on the trailer you need to get the right size ball for the stinger. Have it wired in to your truck, for your trun sigs and such. They are cake to install your self.

 

I had an '01 4.7 Dakota 4x4 and pulled various heavy loads. The truck pulls damn good. My heaviest load was (very unsafe!!!) a 25'x8' box trailer that had an empty weight of 3600lb, but it was full of furniture.....heavy furniture. Probably was an 8000lb load and it pulled it. NOW let me say this too, my breaks or steering didn't work very good..lol. Matter of fact, it scared the hell out of me and the only reason I did it is because it was for work and had to be done. I remember pulling up to my first stop sign on a neighborhood street and hearing my front tires skid to a stop because of the lack of weight on them. Scary trip, but the 4.7 pulled it fine!

 

"Buying a Dodge Dakota...One question? "

yea, WHY????????

if you are worried about towing, milage, longevity, and all over power.....
step up to a CUMMINS DIESEL and leave the boy hood behind!!! [sm=badbadbad.gif]


gas engine = spark plugs, distributor, plug wires, cap, rotor, and so on.

diesel engine = none of that crap ^ . 40% lessparts and a hell of a lot more power and FUN!
oil change every 6k miles vs 3k miles. no tune ups ever. just MODS!!!

 

define "crap"......

 

deisel is definately the way to go