The QC is not made to handle a lot of weight in the bed. I believe most of them are 1/4 - 1/2 ton payloads. It varies based on the engine size, gear ratio, and 4x4 or 4x2. Some of the early GenIII Dakotas were a full ton (I believe the only way to get that was with 5.2L, 3.55 gears, extended cab and 2wd.. like mine :-) ). Otherwise, most of 'em were right around 3/4 ton or maybe 1900lbs.
Actually, I just checked dodges website.. apparently, I was incorrect :-) Looks like most of them are around 1,500 payload.. Try this link:
http://www.dodge.com/dakota/index.html?context=homepage&type=top
and click on the towing guide in the bottom middle.. Choose Dakota, then your configuration. This is for 2003 models, but I think it'll probably be the same. How much was it sagging? It will start sagging a little when you get about 1/2 the payload in there (maybe an inch drop), and increase after that. When you reach the max, it'll probably sag a good bit, but shouldn't be almost on the ground (BAD!). I've towed probably over 1500lbs in the bed of my Dakota (97 CC, 5.2L SLT 3.55), and it barely sags. I love getting a payload of wet mulch and it not even drop 1", while Toyota compacts have the same load and are just about scrapping the ground.
>
> From: "James Nelson" <jfnelson@satx.rr.com>
> Date: 2003/02/24 Mon AM 10:59:00 EST
> To: dakota-truck-moderator@bent.twistedbits.net
> Subject: Re: DML: Load Capacity
>
>
> I'm a little confused. According to the current Dodge site the load capacity
> is 1780#. My big concern is the fact that I had half of this at 800# and
> was having problems
>
> Jim Nelson
>
>
>
>
>
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