If you have the 3.92 rear end and the factory tow package, which this
did not, you can hit 6200. His truck had the 3.55 rear end with the
lighter 1450lb payload leaf springs, which puts it at 5200 max tow with
a GCWR of 9500lb per the FSM.
This was a full size car trailer and those usually run a couple thousand
pounds by themselves, plus the Spirit, plus all his belongings stuffed
in the Spirit (there wasn't room to fit another shoebox in the cabin or
trunk of the Spirit) plus probably another 750-1000lbs in the bed.
Assuming the Spirit weighed 2800lbs bone dry, and the trailer a
conservative 1500lbs, with all the stuff inside of the Spirit hopefully
being under ~500lb, he might be under the tow rating, barely.
Considering the extended cab was stuffed with belongings behind the
seats, plus the bed packed full, plus himself and his Dad who co-drove
sitting in the front, he'd still be way, way over the GCWR.
Let's just say they got flashed a lot by people who thought they had
their headlights on high beam when they didn't, because the rear end was
so low the headlights were practically signaling passing aircraft. :)
M.B.
On 07/02/2011 04:14 AM, Andrew Kelsey wrote:
>>
>> Not that I'd recommend it, I'm sure he was WAY over the GCWR for the
>> truck.
>>
>> M.B.
>>
>
> I believe the dakota is rated 6100 lbs for towing. I think your friend
> was well within the limits with that Spirit.
>
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