New tow vehicle...need advice

[mcfly]

So I just got the wifey a 2011 Dodge Durango with the 6 cylinder in it. She wanted something with 3rd row seating and this fit the bill the best. She would much rather use this to tow the boat short distances rather than riding in the Ram Hemi because its more comfortable for us to ride in. I installed a Curt Class 3 hitch and wiring and used it to tow a two place aluminum tilt trailer and my Can Am Renegade 1000 about 3 hours to the mountains and it did fine. Fuel milage was pretty good.

The boat though (18" Seadoo Sportster 1800) is heavier than what I had. Is there any realy harm in using the Durango to tow the boat around. I see people using SUV's all the time but I dont feel like chancing anything. I have the Ram and would rather utilize it if there is any chance in damaging the Durango. I was pulling some pretty steep hill with the 4 wheeler and watched the tranny temp the whole time and it didnt really fluctuate. Am I good to use the Durange or should I stick with the Hemi (I'm a mopar guy by the way)

 

[Dr Honda]

As long as you aren't going over the rating of the new truck... you are fine.

I know hindsight is 20/20... but if you were going to use it for towing... you should have ordered it with the factory tow pack. Knowing Dodge.... it would have a bigger oil cooler, radiator, and possibly bigger front brakes.

 

[Dr Honda]

Update.


Your boat dry is almost 1900 Lbs. You are looking at 300 Lbs for fuel and oil. And you trailer is in the 600 Lb range. So... you are looking at 2800 Lbs, without any extra gear.

Your new truck with the factory tow group is good for 6200 Lbs. But, as above... it gets heavier cooling, load leveling suspension, bigger alternator, and a full size spare tire.

AND......... the full size spare is mandatory. It would be highly un-safe to put on a small spare towing a boat.


So, without the upgrades... you will still be OK.

 

[griz400]

it wont have any problem at all, the durango i know about, the skis i learn about -- lol, over 30 yrs with chrysler, as the doc says, you will have no problem

 

[mcfly]

I did upgrade to the full size spare. I opted not to go with the dodge factory installed options because they are an extra 1000 bucks just for the hitch and wiring. I dont even know what the tranny cooler and other upgrades would cost.

I bought the Curt Class III hitch and wiring for 200 bucks and installed it myself. Since it wont be towing regularly, I figured I would save the coin and go this route. Like I said, I can use the Dodge Hemi to tow, I just wanted to see what you guys thought about using the Durango here and there for the family trips.

 

[Dr Honda]

I opted not to go with the dodge factory installed options because they are an extra 1000 bucks just for the hitch and wiring.

But that's the thing... it's not just a hitch and wiring.

Regardless... I'm sure you will be good for 3000 Lbs, and not cause any extra wear on the truck.

 

[RFoster130]

That's a crazy price for the tow package. The new tahoe I'm looking at had the heavy duty tow package for 330 bucks and you get an external oil cooler, external trans cooler and a better rear end gear. Like they said, you will be ok. I kinda dig the new durangos, just can't bring myself to buy Chrysler. My dad worked in a GM factory back when it meant something to own an American car and retired from there.

 

[Dr Honda]

That's a crazy price for the tow package. The new tahoe I'm looking at had the heavy duty tow package for 330 bucks and you get an external oil cooler, external trans cooler and a better rear end gear. Like they said, you will be ok. I kinda dig the new durangos, just can't bring myself to buy Chrysler. My dad worked in a GM factory back when it meant something to own an American car and retired from there.

I don't know what the actual price was on the tow package was on my new truck. (i'm going to go look) But I have a feeling all the new 1500's come with it now. My hitch is actually welded into the frame, and it's the rear cross support.

I'm not brand loyal. I've owned everything. (GM, Toyota, Honda, Subaru, Jeep, Pontiac, Dodge, and a few more) I got my new Ram because they look good, and I got about $9k off the window. At the time... ford was doing the same thing... but all I could find local was loaded (with leather) or totally stripped Std cabs. And GM was only offering $2500 off.

 

[Dr Honda]

yep............ the "Tow Package" isn't even an option on the Ram 1500.

 

[LouDoo]

I would suggest that you at least get the wiring harness from Chrysler, you can install it yourself, it runs from the rear of the vehicle and plugs into the fuse block in the engine compartment. You can't just attach the wiring to the tail lights, it will void your warranty and possibly blow the BCM computer.

I've got a Jeep and the harness costs about $100.00.

Lou

 

[Ronsse610]

keep in mind, the durango is a bigger sedan/ luxury vehicle but can also tow quit a bit of stuff... I'm looking into getting a new tacoma this week... very excited for a new tow vehicle.