Need a towing & offroad vehicle?

jranaudo · Sep 14, 2005

newbie here where to start? Well I need to tow a boat and trailer with a combined weight of 5400lbs. I also enjoy offroading 5-6 times a year at most. I currently own a 1998 jeep cherokee with a mild lift but this won't tow that much weight so I'm considering a used high mileage Durango.

This vehicle would NOT be my daily driver but used only a few times a year.

I really enjoy the look of the Durango (NOT the new one) but wonder how many aftermarket parts are available for it. I'd like to install a 3" lift or something similar down the road.

So is the Durango something I should be considering? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Silver Ghost · Sep 14, 2005

A Gen 1 Durango would be a good choice for both towing and off-roading.
Obviously 4x4 is a must for your off-roading as well as pulling your boat/trailer out of the water.
Looking for a used D, here's what I'd focus on:
4x4 either Full-Time or Part-Time.
5.9 Engine
3.92 gearing (limited slip recommended but not necessarily essential)
Tow package/HD group - may be separate depending on model year. Consists of hitch and 7-pin wiring, tranny cooler, PS cooler, larger alternator, additional cooling fan (secondary electric on my 2000.)
That combo will give you tow capacity to 7400+/- lbs - boat, trailer, passengers and gear combined.
Of course, all vehicles have their issues. Notably for the D are ball-joints - covered by national recall for 2000 to 2003-1/2. Some folks have had brake issues too - mostly because they're inadequate for the truck, not because they'll fail. But generally, they're mechanically sound.
Best of luck. Let us know how you make out.

Joe

Kevin_Rants · Sep 15, 2005

Go for a model year 98 or 99 with the options listed in the previous post.

Rancho makes a 3" lift for those model years as well.

jranaudo · Sep 15, 2005

Well I also found out a jeep grand cherokee can also tow up to 6500lbs. I like the way the D looks over the cherokee but the cherokee has many aftermarket parts for offroading. I do have the winter to think this through.

Kevin_Rants · Sep 15, 2005

for a mild lift, there's options for the Durango. For 5-6 times a year, you'll have a capable off road machine with more room than a JGC

B1G BLEU · Sep 16, 2005

Are you going to be taking any people with you? With luggage/gear?
My brotherinlaw has a nice Overland but it only carries 4 people w/2 car seats

Smash · Sep 16, 2005

The Jeep/Durango off-road comparision? No contest. And the Jeep is much easier/cheaper to modify, having a solid front axle. Sounds like you're towing a boat? How heavy and what's the tongue weight?

The G Cherokee will tow small boats short distances very well. The biggest advantage the D will have over the Jeep is wheelbase for towing stability - the Jeep will wander all over with a 20' boat or more (guessing here) over 3500 pounds - but if you're towing in-town, probably not a big concern.

If you're a big off-road buff and considering suspension modifications, towing a light boat short distances, I'd go with the Jeep.

Volphin · Sep 16, 2005

GCs

OK, I'll chime in. The D is a more capable off road and on road machine. My mom had a Jeep GC before I got my D. (Note: mom) Towed the boats with it one season. My opinion? In a word, poor. Jeeps are fine for grocery getters but don't believe that trail rated marketing junk. (Unless off road is a gravel level surface) :cheesy: Sloppy steering, soft, girly suspensions and no clearance. No wonder aftermarket parts are cheap.

My 2¢

Bill

jranaudo · Sep 16, 2005

Smash said:
The Jeep/Durango off-road comparision? No contest. And the Jeep is much easier/cheaper to modify, having a solid front axle. Sounds like you're towing a boat? How heavy and what's the tongue weight?

The G Cherokee will tow small boats short distances very well. The biggest advantage the D will have over the Jeep is wheelbase for towing stability - the Jeep will wander all over with a 20' boat or more (guessing here) over 3500 pounds - but if you're towing in-town, probably not a big concern.

If you're a big off-road buff and considering suspension modifications, towing a light boat short distances, I'd go with the Jeep.

My boat and trailer weight 5380 lbs. The boat is 24' long. When I think about how many times I offroaded in the past 4 years it's not enough to justify getting the jeep or keeping the one I have. The Durango seems like a very good choice. Almost full size but not.

Silver Ghost · Sep 16, 2005

General rule of thumb is to not exceed 90% of the tow rating.
That combined with the boat, trailer, passengers, gear, extra gas cans, etc. put you up near the limit with a Jeep.
Also, the longer D wheelbase will help add to stability.
Sounds like you have already made up your mind, just wanted to help you lock down your decision.
Lastly, lots of good guidance from DOC folks here can help you out with necessary (and some not necessary

)mods to help with power and aesthetics.

Joe

jranaudo · Sep 16, 2005

Silver Ghost said:
General rule of thumb is to not exceed 90% of the tow rating.
That combined with the boat, trailer, passengers, gear, extra gas cans, etc. put you up near the limit with a Jeep.
Also, the longer D wheelbase will help add to stability.
Sounds like you have already made up your mind, just wanted to help you lock down your decision.
Lastly, lots of good guidance from DOC folks here can help you out with necessary (and some not necessary )mods to help with power and aesthetics.

Joe

yup. thanks for everyones help. Now I just have to find a used D. I have the whole winter at least.

Volphin · Sep 16, 2005

Keep your eyes peeled.

I used autotrader.com to find mine. You can search by color, 4x4, etc within a variable radius of your zip code. If you want a 5.9, look for the Z in the VIN for G1s. Not sure about the 5.7 in the 04s and up. Maybe someone else would know.

Bill

jranaudo · Sep 16, 2005

what about the 5.2 as opposed to the 5.9's? I'm finding a lot more 5.2 v8 D's than 5.9's

Silver Ghost · Sep 16, 2005

You'll lose 1200-1500 lbs in tow rating capability.
With 3.92 gearing, the 5.9 has a tow rating of 7450 lbs; the 5.2 is only about 6000 lbs.
With 3.55 gears, you'll lose about another 1200 lbs.
So, for your application, the 5.2/3.92 is borderline IMO. Anything with 3.55 gearing is out of the question.

Joe

jranaudo · Sep 16, 2005

Silver Ghost said:
You'll lose 1200-1500 lbs in tow rating capability.
With 3.92 gearing, the 5.9 has a tow rating of 7450 lbs; the 5.2 is only about 6000 lbs.
With 3.55 gears, you'll lose about another 1200 lbs.
So, for your application, the 5.2/3.92 is borderline IMO. Anything with 3.55 gearing is out of the question.

Joe

cool. thanks.

jranaudo · Oct 6, 2005

How can I tell if a D has 3.92 or 3.5x gears?

MWeed · Oct 6, 2005

Towing Vehicle

There should be a tag on one of the rear diff cover bolts that'll tell you the gear ratio. Another way is to open the glove box and look at the back of the glove box itself. There should be a black and white sticker that tells what's in the D.

FSTDANGO3 · Oct 6, 2005

The only Flaw I see in your quest is that you state you wish to install a 3" lift Kit yet maintain the full towing capacity of the Truck (either one.)
If you install a lift kit It may contain several components that don't maintain the same strength as original OEM therefore reducing towing capacity eg. Springs of different rates from lift kit may increase ride height but reduce load capability. Now add larger tires even 1-2 sizes above stock and your overall gear ratio has changed and further reduced the capacity.

I'd definitely recommend the D over the Jeep as the Jeep won't be able to tow that kind of weight with its short wheelbase safely for too long. But I'd recommend being real careful with bigger tires and or lift kits that may hinder towing performance.
Regardless welcome to our site
Good Luck in your Finding a great Durango!
Steve
VP
DOC

jranaudo · Oct 6, 2005

yea I think I'm going to forget about the lift. Don't have much time anymore. At least I can still have fun when it snows!

Grease is the Word · Oct 7, 2005

You can also email the VIN to Dodge (customer service on the web), and they'll send you a build sheet to check if it has the 3.92 or 3.55 gears.

I know the '98s you can tell immediately if the D has the towing package if it has the large 6x9 mirrors vs the smaller 5x7 mirrors. I'm not sure about other years. Unfortunately towing package doesn't automatically mean 3.92.

I bought my '98 a year and a half ago when it had 72K miles on it. It had all the stuff you're looking for. I now am ready to turn 100K. It has been an incredible truck. It tows my 4000 lb / 20 foot boat through the mountains without even thinking about downshifting into second gear on the steepest grades on the interstate. I can keep 60 to 65 mph up these steep grades or push it even faster if I wanted to.

I see '98 and '99s advertised for $10K all the time in the paper. I think people are getting rid of them unless they need that power to do something like tow -- with gas prices where they're now.

FSTDANGO3 · Oct 7, 2005

Patience

Be patient find the One you want.
Make sure it has all the Goods you're looking for
3.92's and a 5.9
Steve
VP
DOC

Smash · Oct 9, 2005

Agree with FST - I was in a hurry 3 years ago (overseas return) and love my D but the two things I wish I had were the 5.9 and 3.92's - I also wouldn't buy one without rear A/C, 3rd row seats, and H/D elec which I think is std with tow package.

Need a towing & offroad vehicle?

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