What will be a good tow vehicle

[dingbat]

Re: What will be a good tow vehicle

If your boat truly is #5K or more the Durango will pull it but be prepared for some white knuckle moments. It doesn?t have the weight or the wheel base to back it up. A clear cut case of the tail wagging the dog.

 

[SuperNova]

Re: What will be a good tow vehicle

Don NOT buy the one from the rental place...it is NOT tow package equipped and just sticking a hitch on it won't make it so.

 

[gonefishie]

Re: What will be a good tow vehicle

Tow packages normally consists of: tranny cooler, heavier suspension, beefier breaks, axle ratio geared for towing, tow hitch, trailer light harness (which is a seperated circuit, otherwise you have to tap into your tail/break light circuit). With a boat that heavy, I would want 4 wheels drive for those slick ramps. I would stays away from car coming from a rental company. They're heavily abused and ain't worth your money.

 

[2broke4this]

Re: What will be a good tow vehicle

My sister bought a Durango (2005, 4.7L, AWD) from a dealership in Michigan that will remain nameless. She got a great deal on it, but it was only AFTER the sale did she find out that it was a former rental vehicle. Overall, she likes the truck, but you can tell it was seriously abused before she got it. Don't get me wrong, it's nice, but my beat up old van idles more smoothly. Unless you are getting a ridiculously good deal on it and will be able to spend some of that money fixing problems, I'd stay away from it. Just another opinion.

-Carl

 

[rndn]

Re: What will be a good tow vehicle

Stay away from previous rentals and get something with a FACTORY installed tow package. A diesel will get better fuel mileage than a comparable gas engine but they come with a premium price tag. The old pay me now or pay me later. A lot of boaters like to stick to 75% of the max tow rating for the vehicle, so try to keep that in mind when shopping.(Vehicle with a max tow rating of a little under 7000 pounds.) Very important to not get something rated to tow 5500# if you're going to tow 5000#.

 

[gonefishie]

Re: What will be a good tow vehicle

-Carl

Is this for real? this is basically a global community and we have 2 members from the same town. Howdy neighbor!

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: What will be a good tow vehicle

The Durango is just too short of a vehicle PERIOD!! Unless you like going 45 mph to keep the trailer from swaying all over the road.
My Chevy Tahoe with the 5.7 has its hands full towing my boat and its less than 5000 lbs.It has the factory tow package also.Pulls it fine but gets the sway going on the highway.The longer the tow vehicle the more stable at higher speeds.

 

[shipoffools]

Re: What will be a good tow vehicle

While I don't completely disagree that tow vehicle length is a factor in sway, I have found that poor weight distibution is more often the culprit when a trailer sways.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: What will be a good tow vehicle

weight distribution is a factor also,very true.
I do know when i tow mine with my long bed extended cab Ram i can run 80 with no sway period.But my short wheelbase Chevy is a different story..
I have been driving every type of truck,tankers,vans,dump trucks and car haulers since 1981.Every one pulls and sways differently...

 

[chaparral442]

Re: What will be a good tow vehicle

I prefer any SUV built on a truck frame-- don't skimp on the engine size--make sure you choose larger tire size option and get the towing package

 

[klicknative]

Re: What will be a good tow vehicle

2500 Suburban with a 6.0 and factory HD tow package.

Disclaimer: I tow my 15' Fiberform (less than 2000 lbs on the trailer ready to go in the water) with a '77 Chevy C20, 454, 4spd 3.73's and a trailer special package. I have also been known to kill flies with a sledgehammer.