My wife's 99 4x4 has 3.55 gears, auto, and 1800#
payload w/Rancho RSX shocks on it (31x10.5x15
wranglers too). We towed a '72 Dart (about 3000#),
plus trailer (another 1800#)... and it handled it
nicely. The front end was just a little high, but not
bad at all. Averaged 13 mpg from San Jose to San
Diego running 65 mph in drive on the flat, and a low
of 45 mph up 8% grade (Grapevine).
Our 4x4 is rated to 5500# max, and for good reason.
3.92 gears would bring it up a bit, but with that
additional towing capacity, your towing speed is
greatly reduced (somewhere around 57 mph in drive =
3000 rpm, whereas w/3.55 65 mph in drive = 65 mph).
If you are towing near the limits of either 5500 or
6300# you should also consider a weight distribution
hitch to level the load, and take some of the pressure
off of your rear end. Also, electric brakes are
required (or surge brakes) on loads above 2000# in
most states. I use electric on the car carrier that
we use, and my friend's boat has a great
surge/hydralic setup on the trailer.
Sam '00 RT
& '99 4x4
--- jason nahrgang <jasonnahrgang@hotmail.com> wrote:
> I've hooked up a 2400# U-haul car carrier with a 98
> Accord on it and it
> really taxed the dak. I figure I was pushing 6000#
> behind the hitch with
> another 800-1000# in the bed. I decided against
> towing the car, too much
> stress and probably way too much tongue weight. I
> have 3.55s and 1400#(?)
> bed capacity so the a$$ end was really sagging.
> Point is, I could have done
> it, but I had a choice and opted not to. You'd
> probably have better luck
> with the 3.92s. Of course, airbags would just about
> eliminate rear end sag.
> (next project)
>
> Jason Nahrgang
> Moss Green '97 V8 4x4 SLT+ 5spd
> 3" Gibson
> K&N homegrown
> Bilsteins up front
> 32x11.50 Pirelli Scorpion ATs
>
>
>
> >From: T <tomboyle@pacbell.net>
> >Reply-To: dakota-truck@buffnet.net
> >To: dakota-truck@buffnet.net
> >Subject: DML: '00 4x4 Tow Limits
> >Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2000 17:50:36 -0800
> >
> >My 4x4 Dak is soon to appear with class IV hitch,
> 4.7, 3.92 gears &
> >1800# payload upgrade (basically 11x2in rr brakes).
> Big question is, its
> >rated to tow 6,200 lbs, but how realistic is Dodge
> being? Are they
> >shooting for publicity bragging rights on tow
> capacity or is this a
> >legitimate figure (without busting a tranny, etc.)?
> >Reason: 4300 lb boat in regular tow + bodies &
> toys. Any comments more
> >than welcome...
> >Toy man Tom
>
>
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