Dodge Durango for towing

[John Kissel]

Anybody have any experiences towing with one? My wife just got a 2018 R/T, hemi, r.w.d., and all of the Mopar towing stuff. I have my equalizing hitchhead and 750lb. bars. Open trailer weighs 1970lbs.,and '67 Firebird weighs 3340lbs.Thanks, John Kissel K242

[David Lee]

what area are you going to be towing in?

[340Cuda]

What is tow rating on the Durango?

[Steve Stasko]

You should be okay with that setup. Make sure the trailer has electric brakes.

I had an '02 Durango 4x4, 4.7 with the factory towing package. It was rated to 6600 lbs. I towed my '65 Coronet street car across PA, and also from Central PA to North Carolina and back with that thing. Car weighs 3605 without me.

When I towed across PA, I used a U-Haul rental. Not a fun experience. The North Carolina trip, I used a steel deck open trailer with electric brakes. That trailer towed like a dream behind the Durango. The only things I wished I had were more power, and an equalizer setup...both of which you have.

[John Kissel]

Thanks, one and all. The pretty picture of an R/T towing a Challenger on the ad from Dodge says 7400 lbs, so @ 5310 or so I will be good. My trailer is a good friend of 28 years that has ridden up and down I-95 many times, Fla. to n.j. and goes straight, even in part of a hurricane. The only problem it has had was done to suspension bushings from the rotten roads in the okkupied republik of n.j..and all of that was changed. If the Dodge tows like my '95 F-150 does I will be thrilled..I don't know about long trips anymore as I am 70 and worry about stuff disappearing @ night when I have to stop, and the krazy/texting drivers around now.I have a few things I would do to the Ford that prevent it from wandering off in the night.Rotor and fuel pump relay in my pocket and a dummy coil wire helped me sleep.Thanks, john Kissel

[joe huestis]

I've been towing with my '11 Durango for past 7 seasons. Open trailer with masslive tool box mounted on front, towing my 3400 lb. stocker.
Don't even know sometimes what's behind you, tows like a dream, very stable with 5.7 Hemi. Full factory towing package.

[John Kissel]

Thankyou!! That's what I wanted to hear.When the "eco" setting is off, this thing has throttle responce like a well tuned Holley, which is a huge difference from our '06 Trailblazer SS wire flyer.I can't wait to get going again. John Kissel

[Steve1118]

I tow all over the place in the mountains of Pennsylvania with my 2005 Hemi Durango. Absolutely the best tow vehicle I've ever had, and I've had a lot of them over the last 40 years. Great mileage, comfortable, and cruise with the A/C and will pull these mountains here at 70 mph, no issue. Factory tow package, just set the trans on tow/haul. Wonderful. I'd leave for California in that set up tomorrow.

[Dan Fahey]

Interesting topic...been studying this for about a year.

The Campolito’s tow their Caprice/SS with the Chevy SS Trailblazer.
See other Racers doing same with good feedback.

Durango is same class towing platform.
It has a very well designed unibody construction.
Making it a quiet ride with excellent handling for an suv.

Another great towing platform is the Colorado/Canyon.
Diesel at 7700 lb tow rating. V6 is rated at 7000#

My Caprice wagon is upgraded to tow my set up, guessing about 7000#.
Trailer is 17.5 foot featherlite weighs 1550#.
My car weighs 4150#, loaded tow weight 5800#.

Can make 70mph up the Appalachia Mountains going to Empire.
That torquey LT1 holds that speed at 3500 rpm.
But transmissions rebuilds have been numerous.
Get 11 mpg mountains, Hilly terrain 12, 14 on flat roads.

New Durango with base V6 is 6200# tow rated.
Hemi V8 rated at 7400# and SRT at 8900# and best in class!
Tahoe is rated at 8400#

The Durango and Diesel Canyon are very competitive platforms.
They are nimble, strong transmissions, better fuel mileage unloaded.
Wish GM would make a SUV version of the Colorado/Canyon.

The Durango vs Tahoe reviews.
Tahoe did well but Durango did much better overall.

GM just introduced a new 4 Cylinder twin turbo charged engine.
Makes 310hp with a super flat torque rating of 350ftlbs on regular gas.
Colorado/Canyon would be a perfect platform.

Choice a Truck or Family Vehicle like the Durango?

About time car makers started building robust mid sized trucks for towing.
Now waiting to see what Ford and Toyota come back with.

D

[John Kissel]

That's interesting, but I am not interested in small diesels or 4cyl.s with hair driers.My real choice would be a nice 378 Pete w/ 8v-92tta Detroit, and an Allison auto.John Kissel