Opinions Needed

[Diamondpilot]

The truck will pull it fin but man it will suck the gas. We had a 2 wheel drive Dakota with the V6 at work. We needed to take some parts 300 miles so we rented a small single axle U-Haul trailer and off I went. It got about 5 mpg pulling it. It was a 13 mpg truck most of the time but this trailer has so much wind drag it killed it.

By the way, the parts were less than 300# in the trailer and not sure what the trailer itself weighed? Weight was not a issue, it was the 3 speed tranny and rear end gear ratio combo.

Chris

 

[clemsonfor]

I tow a 4x8 utility trailer with my 1990 ranger 4 cylinder. Empty it makes a 23mpg truck into a 19mpg truck that cant pull the hills in 5th gear. This is more in response to DP than the OP as the 2 trucks are not comparable.

But to your question, i would do it for a short trip but dont think i would do it for a long haul! I haul about that weight on a car hauler trailer with my 1980 K10 chevy. It is old yes but the trailer dosent have the drag a travel trailer does and its a bear to haul. I dont do terrible with mpg i get 8mpg but again its not a travel trailer. Yes these 2 trucks are not the same but my point is this truck pulling 5K is a real load on a smaller dodge which i drive for work i think it will be a eye opeing ride!

 

[Diamondpilot]

Yea, its not the weight, its the frontal area. If look closely in most owners manuals they list a max tow rating for your particular setup but also a max frontal area. A travel trailer behind a basic V6 is going to be tough. No matter if its a Dodge, GM, Ford, ect. This is all changing with the newer V6's making big power.

By the way, after I made the 300 mile trip each way the tranny was replaced 4 months later. Cant say for sure it was that trip but at 100,000 miles it was done. I am sure it did not help matters.

Chris

 

[kenmac]

Thanks for the opinions. It's my son's truck & he is wanting to take the travel trailer to my property ( about 30 miles away) durning hunting season. If his Dakota 6 Banger doesn't pull it well. I guess I'll have to let him use my 6 Banger Dodge Ram to pull it

 

[Diamondpilot]

30 miles each way is not a big deal. The 300 miles I did was. Just make sure he takes his time and he will be fine.

Chris

 

[kenmac]

30 miles each way is not a big deal. The 300 miles I did was. Just make sure he takes his time and he will be fine.

Chris

Thanks. While he's a good driver, He has never pulled anything like this. He's pulled the boat/trailer & my 14 foot trailer several times without issues. I'll be going with him until he adjust / gets use to pulling this type trailer.

 

[bearcreek paul]

I used to pull a 22 foot Terry resort with a 2000 gmc sonoma 4.3 with a weight distribution hitch probably 4,500 lbs 200 mi each way.It would pull it but you were not going any where fast.The truck was rated at 6500 lbs.I think gmc was being very optimistic.

 

[jeffsw6]

The nice thing about a 30mi ride to your hunting grounds is you can probably get there without needing to go 70 MPH on the highway. Aerodynamic drag is a pretty big deal but if you can avoid the interstate and go 40 instead of 70 that 30mi trip should be easy!

 

[clemsonfor]

Yea if you go say 55mph or less and stick to 50mph i dont think you will put much strain on the truck, it will be fine. BUT make sure the brakes are hooked up that will be a wild stop if not. I would not want to say take that think 125 miles or anything it would suck fuel and be a long trip as speed would probably be a problem.

Heck i have the 2007 dakota i drive at work. It has the v8 and that thing at best will get 16mpg and is usually close to 15mpg country roads. If i use a lot of 4wd per tank i will be down around 13mpg. I am a forester so its possible sometimes to be in 4wd for miles and miles on sandy roads.

 

[sawduster98]

My 04 Dakota quad cab AWD has the 4.7 v8 and I haul my 4500lb boat/trailer combo 300mi a few times each year. The only thing I'd add to this discussion is to get a good running start for hills! I have electric brakes on both axles of both my boat and equipment trailers and drilled/slotted rotors and high-perf pads on the truck...just sayin...