Towing with a Dodge Dakota

[Raineman]

I am looking very seriously at buying a Hi-Lo Trailer.I own a Dodge Dakota with a 3.8 V6 and a 6 speed floor shift and I'm wondering what size Hi-Lo would be ok for me.A 17' model would not be too heavy but it is a little small.Would I be able to haul a 21' with tandem wheels or am I better to stay with the 17' model.Ideally if anyone on the forum has towed a Hi-Lo with a Dakota I would really like to hear their opinion.

Many thanks John

 

[JackandJanet]

John, I towed our 17ft TowLite with a 2004 Nissan Frontier 6 cyl (3.?L engine). It worked, but I knew it was there, and, things started to overheat towing up a long (12 mi) 6% grade here in Arizona with the outside temps slightly above 100 degrees. I pulled that trailer over 11,000+ ft passes in Colorado (in 1st gear) though, and it seemed to handle that task ok. I think the Nissan was roughly equivalent to your truck.

Since you're in Canada, things will be cooler and you could probably pull a 21 ft trailer, but I'm worried that the tongue load will overload your truck's axles. I suspect my 17 ft trailer overloaded my Nissan's axles.

I'd advise you to consider a bigger tow vehicle, at least in the 1500 class (GM or Dodge) or F150 in a Ford.

- Jack

 

[Wrascal]

We don't know your truck nor the camper but this Dodge site may be of assistance:
Dodge Towing Guide - By Load Weight

As shown above, that's a smaller tow vehicle so your towing experience will be greater if you stick to lighter campers.

Don't forget to add a trailer brake controller to the Dodge.

My experience - I once owned a 5,000# (wet) HiLo and towed it with a Honda RidgeLine thru a weight dist. hitch. This combination did OK but I felt I wanted more truck Engine reserve and eventually did that. The 3.5L six cyl automatic often required running in lower gears which got tiresome on the auditory channels.

 

[Hersbird]

The chassis should be up to it but the 3.6 is a bit underpowered for towing. The manual will help with more gears to choose from. Don't be afraid to let some speed off and grab a lower gear on the hills and it probably will do fine. The 3.6 is basically the 318 minus 2 cylinders. The good thing is the Dakota has less of it's own weight to carry around. They used that motor in full size vans and trucks as well, it's a better fit in the Dakota. I have had 2 Dakotas a 93 and a 99 but they were both V8s. Those had power to spare. One was a regular cab short bed with a 360, that was crazy powerful, quicker then my 2 Hemis. The V6 should do it, it will just need those lower gears more often to make up for the missing cylinders.

 

[Raineman]

Thank you all for the replies.I am going to check out a 17' Hi-Lo next Saturday and the best thing to do is hook it up to my 07 Dakota to see how it works.
I have very little experience towing so it will be a steep learning curve.I will post how I make out.

John.

 

[Hersbird]

I actually was referring to the old 3.9 V6, the 2007 has the newer 3.7 which is better. I said 3.6 which is even newer than that and better still. The 3.6 actually has more power then most V8s of 5 years ago.

 

[Raineman]

So optimistically I might be OK with the 3.7 with the six speed floor shift.I have just been on the FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) site and they quote a 7,150 Lbs tow rating and a gross combined weight of 11,700 Lbs combined weight ability.I think they are quoting the V8 model which is 230 HP or 260 HP depending which V8 you have.The V6 in my truck is rated at 210 HP and 235 LB.ft torque,not a great deal of difference between them.I should add that my truck is the Night Runner spec which the original owner told me it had the factory towing package.I tend to be a little wary of things previous owners tell me but my 07 model feels way more solid and strong compared to my 2,000 Dakota.

 

[Hersbird]

It will also depend on what gearing the axle or axles have. Worst case even without a tow package and the highest gear it looks rated for 3200#. Best case it looks like 4000#. The manual 6 is rated quite a bit lower then the automatic. That must be the weak link in the combo. I don't know much about those later manual transmissions.

 

[Hersbird]

Here is a trailer life article on 2009 models in PDF form
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...xueHlUYCVq3j1Q-6w&sig2=vSBCIRwjyAoJ0d8CmVRlCA

 

[Raineman]

All good points Hersbird.I am going to take a drive to the two Chrysler dealerships in my small town tomorrow and see if their service dept's can throw a little light on my questions.Your interest and feedback in my questions is much appreciated and thanks for the link to the trailer life article.

John

 

[Bavarian-HILO]

Hi John i live by Chatham/On....I have managed to come across some very good YOU-TUBE videos on towing trailers with small trucks/engines .My new toy is an 18 footer and i aim to tow it with a Ford Explorer with a 4 litre engine .Not planning on climbing any mountains but installing a tranny cooler is on my to do list. Happy trails to you !

 

[Raineman]

Thanks for the tip Bavarian.I never thought to look on You-Tube.I have a 6 speed manual in my Dakota so a cooler isn't required.I do plan on draining the gear box and using synthetic oil.
John

 

[ShariFitzpat]

Contact Dodge and request a build sheet. Just did it for our Jeep--they emailed it to us a day or two later. Like you, I was anxious to confirm that we really had a factory tow package. It makes all the difference in the world.

Best,

 

[Raineman]

Thanks for the tip Shari.I will do that.

John

 

[Fountain-FRF]

I don't remember if you said what year your truck was, but if it is a '09, '10, or '11 then Dodge will probably want to buy it back from you anyway. I think those years are in their 500k truck recall/buyback.

•278,229 vehicles recalled on February 6, 2013 because of a defect that may cause the axle to lock including the:
2009 model year Chrysler Aspen

2009 model year Dodge Durango
2009-2012 model years Dodge Ram 1500
2009-2011 model years Dodge Dakota

•36,710 vehicles recalled on November 6, 2013 because of a defect that may cause the driver to lose steering power and crash:
2008-2012 model years Dodge Ram 4500
2008-2012 model years Dodge Ram 5500

•265,057 vehicles recalled on November 6, 2013, to repair and replace steering linkages that may cause the driver to lose steering power and crash:
2008 model year Dodge Ram 1500
2008-2012 model years Dodge Ram 2500
2008-2012 model years Dodge Ram 3500

 

[Raineman]

Thanks for the heads up Jim.My Dakota is a 2007 so isn't subject to that recall.I have however just received a letter from FCA warning of a problem with the airbag system.It is a preliminary letter and until I receive a letter confirming the problem there is no need to take the truck into the dealership for repairs.

John

 

[Raineman]

Once again thank you to all those who responded with their invaluable advice.I did email FCA re the build sheet for my Dakota,thank you Shari.I received exactly the info I needed.My six speed truck had all the heavy duty extras that I most wanted,suspension gearing etc.Long story short,I drove up to Gatineau today and picked up my 2000 17' Hi Lo.Its a one owner model that was put on the road in 2002.Its been well used by an older couple who were meticulous with its maintenance.It needs a wash and wax but inside it just like a brand new Hi-Lo.I had to tow it back through Gatineau and Ottawa to get to the main Highway and I was helped by my best Buddy who is fortunately Bi-lingual.Without his assistance I would have been in great difficulties,Thank You Ed!!!
The truck performed admirably,most of the time I didn't even know it was there until I checked in the newly installed rear view mirrors.In time I will check the miles per gallon but really I didn't see the consumption being excessive.Time will tell.I am now looking forward to spending the winter in Arizona on the very reasonably priced BLM land,can't wait.

 

[ShariFitzpat]

Congratulations!