What is everyone towing?

Travelman · Feb 27, 2005

What's everyone towing?

I have a 1999 Durango, 2WD, 5.9L, V8, 3.55 axle ratio with the tow package. According to Chrysler we can tow up to 5900 lbs. When looking at the travel trailer message boards most people say to not get a trailer over 4000 lbs. What's everyone else towing? Any information would be helpful!

Torpedoman69 · Feb 27, 2005

I have the 01 R/T with the 3.92's and full tow package. My limit's something like 7300 or so. I'm towing a 2000 Forest River Shamrock 21 footer. It's a hybrid (the bunkends pop out of each end.) Completely outfitted with all our gear, it weighs in at around 5300 lbs. The truck has no problems towing this thing around. Gas mileage sucks, but what are ya gonna do? I have towed it all up and down the I-95 corridor with no issues at all, other than a couple of blown tires in Savannah, GA. What a great place to blow a tire out!! LOL

Rod

Volphin · Feb 27, 2005

Stuff to tow

I'm running around 3600# with the runabout loaded down, and 3300# or so from the pontoon boat. It tows them well with no problems except I can't see real well with all that pontoon boat behind me. Glad they only go to the lake at the start of the season, then home in mid November. :cheesy:

Bill

Silver Ghost · Feb 27, 2005

I have got a 2000 5.9/3.92 (tow rating is 7400 lbs) and routinely towed a Sunline 2653 Travel Trailer - dry weight (delivered) 4930.lbs; outfitted closer to 6000 lbs. Just remember that the advertised weight of travel trailers excludes most popular options like A/C, awning, or microwave, as well as battery and LP gas. My trailer was listed at 4450 lbs and was delivered 500 lbs heavier.
The 4000 lb recommendation is probably a little conservative, but if it's advertised weight is 4000, then you'll wind up well over 5000 lbs by the time you add the options and pack it with food, clothes, etc.
I "retired" my D from towing and got a 2004 Ram 2500 Hemi to handle the trailer, mostly for better braking, better wheelbase/trailer ratio, and better power. It proved itself going over the Rockies. But for East Coast type towing, the D is a fine tow vehicle. Just use some common sense.

Hoss · Feb 28, 2005

towing

I only have a 5.2 with 3.55 gears but I'm right on the edge with my trailer. It still is able to do it but I'm definitely going to mod this thing a bit. I have a starcraft 21 footer that weighs 4000 lbs. Only mods I have are a tranny cooler and shocks.

Montero · Feb 28, 2005

My rig is 00 5.9 tow package and 3.92 LSD. I have towed all over Washington, Oregon, and Montana. Not exactly level ground. I find it tows very well. I have towed various rigs for over 20 years and this one surpasses any thing previous. My trailer is a 26' Komfort and it tips the scale with my normal load at 6000 lbs.
Montero

Swingshiftworker · Feb 28, 2005

All I have ever towed with my D (5.9 with 3.92) is my motorcycle on my m/c trailer, which probably doesn't top much more than 1000 lbs, which it handles without any difficulty whatsoever. ;-)

lostmember · Feb 28, 2005

1998 Four Winns 240 Horizon on a double axle trailer. About 5400# estimated towed load. It's at my new Kentucky Lake lake house so I only need to tow it a block to the ramp now, but the roads are very very steep. No problems. I did tow it back and forth 900miles round trip at around 75-80mph and sometimes I forgot it was there (Until I looked in the rearview and got freaked out.) Temp gauge never budged. 9mpg. Love it!

Grease is the Word · Mar 1, 2005

2001 Bryant 196 -- 4000 lbs fully wet on the trailer. With 5.9, 3.92 LSD, and a tow rating of around ~7500 lbs, it pulls the boat great.

I have a Schuck cushion hitch to stop any slamming/jerking. It works well. Trailer has disc surge brakes.

I pull from Cinn to Knoxville several times a year over Jellico mountain pass on I-75. A pretty steep grade and the D never even thinks about downshifting into second gear. I love passing all the Tahoes and Yukons pulling their 20' something bowriders up that grade ;.)

I get 10-12 mpg towing. I do traditional tranny pan drop, diff & transfer case service every 12 to 15K miles. I love this thing. Currently 90K miles on it and it still runs great and pulls like an ox. Never a rattle or squeak either.

<img src=http://www.bryantboatowners.com/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=15 width=640 height=420>

Smash · Mar 7, 2005

I pull a 22' 5K TT, for 20K miles now. Becool radiator with aux electric fan, tranny temp sensor/gage, GS motorsports remote tranny cooler with auto thermo/fan, Fastman TB, Rancho 9000's, Airlift Airbags, all syn fluids. My 99 5.2 3.55 does very well, we pull to FLA-Colorado in August 100 deg heat every summer - mods were money well spent.

Trailer length is dependent on where you're going - the texas plains winds, with the short wheelbase D, even with only a 22' trailer, can be a bear.

Towing in the southeast is no comparison, very easy. Probably the D can tow a 25' TT in the trees around here with no problem. a 5.9 with some mods would be a better choice when towing out west at altitude - my 5.2 was near maxed out towing level at 5K in new mexico at 60 mph.

When I go up to GA on short trips the D could easily pull up to 90 or more if I wanted to.

If I do any more mods, it'll be 3.92 and to get rid of my HP-robbing VC fan and put another Hayden on.

Smash

greg · Mar 7, 2005

Is anyone monitoring their oil and tranny temperatures?? I don't tow but was wondering as to the normal range for them? Thanx
greg

Travelman · Mar 9, 2005

Well I think we have decided on our trailer. We like the Rockwood 2602. Dry weight 4126 lbs., 27 ft. I know we're a little long, but with the proper set up I think we should be ok.

What is everyone towing?

Travelman

Torpedoman69

Volphin

Silver Ghost

Hoss

Montero

Swingshiftworker

lostmember

Grease is the Word

Smash

greg

Travelman

Top Contributors this Month

Recommended Communities