What you are showing there is downright dangerous looking. There is way too much weight on the rear axle.
To answer your question, most WDH setups have adjustable height so you can match the hitch to your towing equipment. You might be best to go to a trailer dealer and they will set you right up.

 

Your TT already has WDH brackets mounted to it. Where is the rest?

 

We rented it to go about 6 miles, so I wasn't worried about it. Although during that trip I found out the trailer brake wiring didn't work. All lights did, but no brakes. She went back to the dealership the following Monday to get that fixed.

 

Gotcha. Although the SRT has a fairly high towing capacity, you fill find yourself limited by the rear axle weight limit which is a paltry 3900#. The tongue weight from a large TT plus passengers and cargo make it likely you will hit that limit before maxing out trailer towing capacity.

As for WDH, you can go with a system like BlueOx or Fastway on the cheap side or Equalizer on the high side. People seem to prefer the sliding friction bar systems over the chain ones. I am sure others will chime in with suggestions there.

For comparison, my 17 foot TT (3850 max trailer weight), family of 4, and a large cooler in the back of my DD R/T bring me pretty close to hitting 3900# on the rear axle with a WDH installed and properly adjusted.

 

Thanks for the info!! It's only 2 of us, and i definitely prefer to keep the TT on the lighter side if possible. I've only towed once w/ the SRT so far, but several times w/ the 2017 GC i had before it. It had load leveling shocks at least, so that made things a bit easier (although only had a V6 so she struggled up here at altitude).

I'd rather not spend an arm and a leg on the WDH, but i agree that the bar system is probably better. My friends all use that style instead of the chain.

 

This is how it should look; from the summer before last, with my Trackhawk . . . this is a 23-ft Toy Hauler, GVWR of 7000 lbs, and this is at around 6000lbs

 

This is how it should look; from the summer before last, with my Trackhawk . . . this is a 23-ft Toy Hauler, GVWR of 7000 lbs, and this is at around 6000lbs

Do you have a WD on there? it's hard to tell from the pic. (nice setup though for sure!!)

 

Something doesn't look right with the OPs SRT. Almost like the load levelling shocks are blown. I don't know much about towing a camper like that. I have a 718+5' V snowmobile trailer I tow with our SRT. It can hold 3 137" snowmobiles. It can actually hold 4 if backed two in next to two forward facing sleds. Empty it is about 1900 lbs. GVWR is 7000lbs. With 3 sleds it is maybe 4000lbs with tools and other stuff. I will run out of space before reaching the limit unless I put a car in there.

Here it is with the 3 sleds. Not a good side picture but you get the idea.

I've never used a weight distribution hitch either. But I don't believe one would help in this case. Either that trailer exceeds the tongue weight limit of the SRT. Do you have everything loaded in the front? Water tanks, etc? Or there is something wrong with your shocks

 

Something doesn't look right with the OPs SRT. Almost like the load levelling shocks are blown. I don't know much about towing a camper like that. I have a 718+5' V snowmobile trailer I tow with our SRT. It can hold 3 137" snowmobiles. It can actually hold 4 if backed two in next to two forward facing sleds. Empty it is about 1900 lbs. GVWR is 7000lbs. With 3 sleds it is maybe 4000lbs with tools and other stuff. I will run out of space before reaching the limit unless I put a car in there.

I've never used a weight distribution hitch either. But I don't believe one would help in this case. Either that trailer exceeds the tongue weight limit of the SRT. Do you have everything loaded in the front? Water tanks, etc? Or there is something wrong with your shocks

The Durango SRTs do not have load leveling shocks (thanks to the adjustable setup that the SRT has). Only non SRTs do. I didn't have anything in the front of the trailer, but i did have the fresh water tank full. Also had quite a bit loaded in the back of the SRT (specifically a fairly large generator), so i'm sure that didn't help. Again, i was only going a few miles so i wasn't really worried about the sag for this trip. I'm more wanting to make sure that whatever WD hitch i get for the trips this summer is the best setup, and easiest to use.

The trailer in my pic is a 2019 Heartland Pioneer BH260. About 30 ft long, and 6200lbs dry. The fresh tank is just in front of the rear axles, so that contributed to some of the weight on the hitch. It's very possible that if i didn't have that huge generator in the back of the SRT, and the water tank was empty she wouldn't have been sagging anywhere near as much.

 

"Sagging a little" ? I'd hate to see what you consider a lot !

 

"Low rider gonna get a little lower"....heh

 

So is this set up on my SRT not a suspension leveling system? Only damping maybe?

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

So is this set up on my SRT not a suspension leveling system? Only damping maybe?

Correct. Just active damping on SRTs (and hellcats). The only thing that actively levels on these are the headlights lol

"adaptive damping shock system. The valves for bound and rebound can each adjust in 1 millisecond “We have an accelerometer on the body and it will manage the suspension damping to smooth out the ride,” Pete said. On the track there is no shake or rattle, and fast cornering transitions are more akin to a Charger or Challenger than any truck. Especially in Race mode, the Durango SRT drives like the muscular sports-SUV it is. Aside from the trick dampers, the suspension layout is conventional, with a short- and long-arm suspension, front coilover shocks, and a rear multilink. The front and rear adaptive dampers come from Bilstein, which is why they do their job so well." First Drive: 2018 Dodge Durango SRT

That review is for a 2018, but they didn't change the setup for any SRTs. I think they made the Hellcat Durango a bit stiffer, but same components.

 

Trailer trailers simply don’t fall under the J2807 standards.

And adding combined passenger weight over 300 lbs will reduce available tongue weight, which reduces overall trailer weight. Which is frustrating for a 6-7 passenger family vehicle

 

Furthermore, J2807 was developed to provide a basis for comparing tow ratings between vehicles/manufacturers. It does not necessarily represent an achievable limit except in very narrow circumstances.

 

Here is an example of a well suited travel trailer for a Durango. 2021.5 No Boundaries 19.3. I have a Tow N Go and it pulls my camper great with nearly zero squat with the WDH. I personally would not want to pull a bigger camper with it though.

Durango with me, full tank of gas and car seats - 5720lbs.

Durango (with trailer hitched up, i'm 200lb, two 50lb kids, 120lb wife, 70lb dog, 50-75lb WDH) - 6000lbs
Fully loaded camper with no liquids in the tanks. - 5420lbs
Front axle of durango - 3080lb
Rear axle durango - 3560lb
Total Combined weight with camper - 11420lb

Trailer dry weight 4176lb.
RV calculated loaded weight - 5420lb

 

Certainly are quite a few assumptions on this thread. First off is the “actual” tongue weight of the trailer once the last item is installed before leaving. There are so many models of trailers built now, there is no true percentage to “guess” what the weight is on the tongue. Secondly, there are many different WDH ratings, and designs. As a former RV employee, I can attest to seeing many different theories put to the test, with many failing the safe, proper set up. Either get on a scale, buy a tongue scale, or just “wing it” and hope for the best. My 22.5’ TT is actually 27’ long, ball to bumper. I have 800lb bars on my WDH, 2 anti sway sliders, Airlift air bags inside the rear coil springs, a dry tongue weight of 350lbs, (yes a very center balanced TT) with a dry weight of 44xx lbs. Once the wife loads every possible thing she can fit in the trailer and I fill the fresh tank (400lbs which is at the rear of the trailer), I am at 550 on the tongue and
grossing the trailer weight at just over 6000. There are so many factors that come into play when towing,
length of tow vehicle vs length of trailer is one so often overlooked. Regardless of capacities.
If you have never experienced “the tail wagging the dog” when towing, you need to understand that is how so many crashes occur with TT’s. Crosswinds, emergency braking, blowouts, (as far too many pull at excessive speeds). Just want to say, keep it real, DD is a unibody SUV, not a BOF truck, regardless of the horsepower, it has its limits, regardless of the stated capacities. Long winded, sorry but I am passionate on this subject for your safety and everyone else on the road. I have witnessed some pretty horrific TT crashes over the years and it sticks in my memories.

“If you knew you were driving to your death, would you be in such a hurry?”

Play on the safe side, stay well below the limits, and enjoy the drive.

Rick

 

So what exactly is the formula for being within safe limits. I've read many towing threads where there are differing opinions. By all accounts if we follow the GAWR example above. I could even be out of limits with my snowmobile trailer (even though I know I'm not). I think the manufacturers do a disservice in not posting the proper information. Sally the fact is that the majority of trucks towing are probably over weight. Just look at the road conditions.

 

I agree that it is convoluted and confusing.

The absolute best thing you can do is weigh your loaded setup somewhere that can do each axle separately (like a CAT scale at a truck stop), then you know exactly where you stand.

 

I have a 2017 Citadel 5.7 and tow a Jayco 24RBS dry weight of 5863lbs. I have a Husky 600-800 wdh does wonders in keeping the TT level with the Durango. Also load leveling shocks help too.

 

Started towing a TT in 1995, graduated from the WD hitch installed by the TT dealer which didn’t work worth a hoot, to the Hensley version, very expensive but, to this day, the only that works without issues, like the metal on metal creaking and grinding of an Equalizer version (that you always can tell in the camp grounds). I have an Equaizer stowed i my shed now that a later TT dealer sold me, then went back to the ‘Cub’ Hensley, never looked back, my 2012 DD always rides level and stable in all kinds of wind/traffic conditions.
If you are sure of only limited use of an ‘Equalizer type WD, you might be happy, just know the annoying creaking and grinding will be with you on the road or wherever. Bottom line, a good WD to level and stabilize towing a TT is absolutely essential for safety on the road.
Stick with the GVWR of a TT to evaluate towing vehicle capacity.

 

View attachment 114653

I tow a 7500 pound boat/trailer setup without a WD hitch (though rarely more than 45 miles each way and usually 6 miles) and it doesn't sag NEARLY this much (2019 SRT). Maybe it deflects/sags an inch; maybe less. Your tongue weight has to be way off. I have never checked my tongue weight but the rig tows solid as a rock.

Your setup looks downright dangerous and your tongue weight must be way too high.

 

I don't tow because I've looked into getting a TT and the towing information is so damn confusing, I don't feel comfortable that I know enough to do so safely. Looks to be a huge competition between manufacturers bragging about "towing capacity" (which doesn't seem to be an actual thing), and TT dealers trying to sell the biggest and most expensive trailers they can, and those who tow thinking their trailer length/weight is a direct representation of their schlong.

For example, I'm sure this is a very informative website: How to Measure Towing Capacity, GVWR, GCWR - Towing 101, but it doesn't answer my question of: What does the 8700 lb towing capacity for the DDSRT represent in reality?

All I know is that it doesn't mean I can tow an 8,700 lb trailer.

 

I agree with all your points. Technically, a DDSRT CAN tow a 8,700# trailer, but only if it is set up to put enough tongue weight on to prevent instability while staying under the rear axle weight limits (depending on what you are carrying in the tow vehicle - passengers, cargo, pets, etc). One might be able to achieve that with a boat or flat bed trailer, but generally not with a travel trailer since they typically have their weight biased toward the tongue. It is also more difficult to calculate out how your loading of the TT affects the distribution of said weight.

 

Wonder what the tongue weight and GVWR this Airstream is . . .

2024 Dodge Durango Images | Interior & Exterior SUV Pictures

Explore the official image gallery of the 2024 Dodge Durango. Find interior & exterior pictures of this three-row SUV here today.

www.dodge.com

 

That appears to be an Airstream Globetrotter 27 which has a GVWR of 7600#.

 

Good find.

So Dodge put a 23-foot 6,000 lb GVWR TT on the their flagship 8,700 lb tow capacity Hellcat. That’s a good match.

 

Good find.

So Dodge put a 23-foot 6,000 lb GVWR TT on the their flagship 8,700 lb tow capacity Hellcat. That’s a good match.

Hah, yeah. Maybe they filled the tires with calcium chloride or beet juice just to up the weight a little. It certainly looks impressive though.

 

Hi all,

Does anyone recommend a good WD setup? Would an adjustable height hitch be better? Since the SRT rides a bit lower, not sure if it would be better to have a hitch that i could raise a bit.

I towed last summer, and as you can see, w/o a WD setup i was sagging just a little... (trailer was 6200lbs dry)

I had no issues at all with power or even handling, but i'd rather not deal with the sagging again for longer duration trips that we're planning this summer.

View attachment 114653

And sorry if this was discussed in other threads, but i did a search and couldn't find anything concrete really.

TIA!

What kind of side mirrors are you using. I just bought a 32’ TT and I can’t see anything beside me.

 

I use these, and they work fairly well, after you get them lined up... they also do tend to shake at highway speeds so the inner mirror doesn't help much, but the convex (outer) mirrors are what i use them for anyways.

Amazon.com

 

I've had good luck with these while towing a TT with my 2018 R/T

Dometic DM-2912 Milenco Grand Aero3 Towing Mirror

 

Hi all,

Does anyone recommend a good WD setup? Would an adjustable height hitch be better? Since the SRT rides a bit lower, not sure if it would be better to have a hitch that i could raise a bit.

I towed last summer, and as you can see, w/o a WD setup i was sagging just a little... (trailer was 6200lbs dry)

I had no issues at all with power or even handling, but i'd rather not deal with the sagging again for longer duration trips that we're planning this summer.

View attachment 114653

And sorry if this was discussed in other threads, but i did a search and couldn't find anything concrete really.

TIA!

I recommend the weigh-safe medium or heavy duty hitch, which has a built in scale. It helps with running the numbers and packing properly. My RV is a dry weight of 5900 lbs but we are fully packed closer to 7200 lbs for our big summer trip.

True Tow Weight Distribution Hitch Middleweight | Weigh Safe

Count on the True Tow Weight Distribution Hitch (Middleweight) to provide reliable vehicular tongue weight measurement. Visit here to shop with Weigh Safe!

www.weigh-safe.com

My post with my weights (I'm still limited by the rear GAWR of 3900 lbs, which gets a small 40 lbs increase if I go with the Tow n Go or SRT)

Hello Everyone! New guy here with some question about...

Hi guys, I found this forum a few days after ordered a 22 DD with TnG. Great forum and I have get lot of information that I need. I ordered this vehicle because it has the ability to take families as well as towing. I have spent some time reading the some posts and hopefully someone can correct...

www.dodgedurango.net