Just curious if these are fairly reliable. There seem to be an abundance of them with 70-110k miles for as little as $6000-$9000. Depending on options, they can tow as much as 7500lbs (enclosed trailer + car + stuff + fatties).

Just checking. Thanks


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...86891

 

"JohnW" on the board tows with one.

 

Scot,

I ordered mine new 2000. It was the only 'mid-sized' SUV GAS V8 that towed any kind of serious weight. It has been a Good truck so far and I'm not normally a Dodge fan.

I have the 5.9 with towing package, she'll tow 7800. That rocks. Gas mileage sucks, between 10-13 with Air @ 70-80 mph. OUCH.

The weakness is the tranny. I change fluid and have it serviced every year at Dodge. This way if it takes a chit..... I have some ammo on them buying me a new one. Currently have 36K with ZERO issues.

If you can locate a 5.9 'cheap' that has been taken care of and serviced... I'd do it.

IM if you have questions.

 

gas milage sucks with them and there are usually some serious mechanical problems around 70k!

 

Used Durango/Dakotas may be a better choice than new. MY "03 Dakota SLT (4.7L) tows our open R&R trailer with the CRX on it and a bed full equipment to both The Glen and Pocono over hilly roads just fine. I have found the engine needs some encouragement witht he cruise control-but it gets the job done.

My only complaint is the rear springs. They are rated for 6010 with the factory tow package. We travelled to BeaveRun with no problems carrying our full equipment load. Several weeks later we went to Watkins Glen and found that they sagged over 2" and won't hold the same load without an additional drop of over 2" more. This condition persists even after our return home and a trip to Pocono. Dodge is in the process of replacing the springs on Monday under warranty. With our equipment loaded properly the rear half of the springs on both sides has "waves in the center leaves. This is not supposed to happen as we are not at capacity. Do verify the condition of suspension pieces. Our truck is still new so I am reading everyone elses experience on warranty issues. If you are really concerned about capacity-take a hard look at a 1500 or a similar vehicle. One of my neighbors found this out the hard way when he tried to tow his boat-new truck.
Just me 2 cents-but I love the truck overall and will make it work for me.

 

We normally use a Checy Avalanche for towing. In our stable we have an MR2 Spyder, Spec Miata and Spec RX7, we normally can tow the RX7, heaviest of the bunch with ease, this includes 4 passengers in the truck and flatbed full to the brim with spare tires, tools, bags etc. It's a great truck and looks good to boot.

 

My aunt and uncle have one they use for groceries and stuff like that and that thing is in the shop at least one a month. If that happens under NO load, I'd hate to see how reliable they are towing a racecar or doing anything strenuous.

My other uncle has a 2000 Ram that has been in the shop almost as much as his brother's Durango. Tranny, Transfer case (x2), stupid stuff like gauge cluster, etc.

To Dodge.

 

Thanks John,

I hopefully will have an enclosed trailer (3500lbs) plus car (2400lbs) plus crap (500lbs).... so roughly 6000-6500lbs.... the durango's seem fairly plentifull used.... I won't be in any race to get to the track (nothing over about 65mph) so hopefully i will get a cheaper used one and be happy.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JohnW &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Scot,

I ordered mine new 2000. It was the only 'mid-sized' SUV GAS V8 that towed any kind of serious weight. It has been a Good truck so far and I'm not normally a Dodge fan.

I have the 5.9 with towing package, she'll tow 7800. That rocks. Gas mileage sucks, between 10-13 with Air @ 70-80 mph. OUCH.

The weakness is the tranny. I change fluid and have it serviced every year at Dodge. This way if it takes a chit..... I have some ammo on them buying me a new one. Currently have 36K with ZERO issues.

If you can locate a 5.9 'cheap' that has been taken care of and serviced... I'd do it.

IM if you have questions.</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

I just got rid of my '98 Durango w/ the 5.2L and now am regretting it. The only issue I had was a thermostat go out right at around 30k miles, and it was replaced under warranty. Other than that, I put a good 70k+ miles on it and besides the ~12 mpg, the thing was awesome. Ran strong and never gave me any other problems. Towed my little 16' Bayliner like it wasn't even there.

My only regret was not getting the 5.9L motor. Though on the freeway the 5.2L got slightly better mileage, in the city, where I did most of my driving, ends up the 5.9L with its extra torque actually got a couple MPG better on average.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Scot &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thanks John,

I hopefully will have an enclosed trailer (3500lbs) plus car (2400lbs) plus crap (500lbs).... so roughly 6000-6500lbs.... the durango's seem fairly plentifull used.... I won't be in any race to get to the track (nothing over about 65mph) so hopefully i will get a cheaper used one and be happy.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

No offense, but if you're going with an enclosed trailer, I wouldn't use a Durango. I wouldn't use my 1500 Quad-cab Ram, either. I'd look to a 2500 of some sort.

Open trailer, a Durango should be able to handle it.

Yeah, I know it's more money....but making a switch to an enclosed trailer SIGNIFICANTLY impacts the tow vehicle. Weight is the least of your worries - the sail attached to your bumper is a bigger issue.

How far are you planning to tow?

Jarrod

 

If you are going to be towing that much, i would look into a bigger truck. It may be rated to tow that much, but how good it is going to be going up a big hill

A friend picked up a 2000 GMC 2500 with the 6L V8. That would be perfect to tow your setup with. 300hp, 380ft/lbs wth the 3.73 rear end can tow 9600lbs (find the 4.10 and it;s 11,000lbs)

We already had about 5500-6000lbs out back and it was a walk in the park. In traffic we had to come to a stop on a STEEEP hill, and the thing never blinked, it even shifted at 2200rpm going uphill, no problem. Stopping was also a non issue even with trailer brakes that i don;t think worked. The brakes on this thing ROCK, they have big meatty front discs with BIG calipers, and the smae out back.
Also for daily driving it;s very nice, quiet, smooth. A hell of a lot nicer than my dads 99 F150

 

Visit the http://www.dodgetruckworld.com forums for more info. on towing with the Durango.
Keep in mind that you'll be better off towing at 70% to 75% of any manufacturers listed "maximum" tow rating. I'm afarid the enclosed trailer you mentioned would be too much for the Durango.

I'm currently looking at the new Hemi 2500 or the Ford V10 F250 SD.

 

Damn... i will only be towing about 6-7 weekends per year.... The closest track is 100 miles from me...no real hills, etc...... but some of the other tracks are up and down and 200-500 miles away.

Maybe an open trailer is in the cards.

 

i know people are tired of heresay stories related to the Durango. But I know 2 people that own(ed) them and they both required engine rebuilds, one at 60k and the other at 70k miles. One had an oil pump just die, and the other suffered a spun bearing. as far as i know , both vehicles were maintained decently. I also know someone who used to own a durango which he used for towing and claims that it was not a very stable vehicle to tow with...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MackSpeed-616 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">2 people that own(ed) them and they both required engine rebuilds, one at 60k and the other at 70k miles. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Thats kinda Strange. Engine rebuilds at 60 & 70K? I'm not doubting what you have stated.... I'd just like to see their service records.

One main reason I bought the Dodge was due to the 'old school' technology. The 5.2/5.9 has been around for decades (40+yrs?) and by now I figure that they have worked all the bugs out. IMO, the engine isn't the trucks weak point. It's the tranny.

With the proper towing set-up you shouldn't have any troubles.
1. Quality (dual axle) trailer
2. Elect brakes and a controller
3. Weight dist hitch
4. Properly position the car on trailer.

(My) Durango tows very stable. Hell, my wife tows to and from races and I often have to tell her to slow down. "honey, your doing 80 MPH"

Again, I'm not a Dodge fan. However, the Durango does the job I ask it to do.

 

Just an update and an idea. My Dodge dealer replaced the rear springs-they did fail after we towed to The Glen. By fail I mean that they sagged excessively and would not come back to the unloaded ride height. As to engine performance, I have a new truck so cannot comment other than to say that our trips include mountain climbs and it was not overstressed.

An idea: For those with load issues such as I have found with my Dakota-there is a product that solves the problam. It is made by Timbren Products. It is a helper device that replaces the stock bumpstops on the frame. When the truck is loaded these rubber pieces will contact the axle and work as a spring up to their load rating.
Something to consider and they also help with sway under load.