how much can i tow?

[dodgefan67]

the Dakota R/Ts did not come stock with a towing package and in the manual it says you can pull 2000 pounds, but i think that is with a screw on ball hitch on the bumper, correct?

the original owner of my truck added a mopar hitch to the frame and it has listed on it that it will hold 5000 pounds trailer weight/500 tongue weight with a load distributing hitch or 3500/300 with a load carrying hitch

what is the difference in those two types of hitches and since it is bolted to the frame and not the bumper is that accurate? i would think these high torque engines could pull a lot, especially with the 3.92 gears it has

[SmokedRam]

The tow rating on the frame hitch is the rating of the hitch itself...not the vehicle it is going to be attached to. You should always follow the towing rating of the vehicle itself...not the frame hitch.


Ninja edit: it's not really how much the engine and driveline can tow...but how well the vehicle can safely stop said load too...
Sorry, just thought I would add that lil bit in.

[dodgefan67]

yeah found out that the r/t dakotas dont really have the same suspension as regular dakotas so that plays into it as well. so much for buying that 21 foot bass boat :confused:

[SmokedRam]

You could probably mod yours to be able to tow AND stop it safely...just don't really know how much $$$ it would take. Whats the boat/trailer weigh?

[Onk]

You would be fine towing a little boat like that....

Buy away!

[SmokedRam]

You're probably only looking at maybe 3500 pounds at the most...I would think...

[dodgefan67]

well, now that i look, a 21' Nitro weighs 4050 pounds total, trailer, boat, motor, probably more if you fill the gas tanks. i probably wouldnt buy one that big anyway

if i get a 17' then im down to 2360 pounds. if i get a Tracker boat, 17' its even less, 1700 pounds, thats not bad at all
http://www.dealers.com/boats/?new=1&brand=4294959356

[SmokedRam]

DO IT...but you have to bring us fellow club members fishing with you...

[Onk]

even at 4500 lbs, as long as you arent bumper pulling, you'd be safe

[dodgefan67]

DO IT...but you have to bring us fellow club members fishing with you...

have to pay off the truck first and since i just got it...but yeah, love to

even at 4500 lbs, as long as you arent bumper pulling, you'd be safe

thats kind of what i was thinking

[004x41500]

you could always buy a REAL boat... no its not mine either... maybe one day.

http://www.oilfieldmarinecontractors.com/images/Airboat%20-%20Front.jpg

[dodgefan67]

that would fun as heck!!

[004x41500]

ya, i grew up on an airboat, best times of my life. id like to get me one, but it depends on the money situation.

[SmokedRam]

Ya know, I was born and raised here in Florida...and have NEVER been on an airboat. I don't own a boat...don't need to either...I fish a lot with my uncle and he owns 3 skiffs. a 19 footer, and two 22 footers.