Expedition vs. Durango?

We tow a Keystone Passport with a 2014 Durango V8 Hemi. We have a weight distribution hitch and antisway bar. We've taken it over the mountains from Denver area to Moad, over Raton Pass and to Iowa. So far so good. It tows fine. Only the three trips since we just got it in March but are planning another up to the mountains over Labor Day.

The jeep is very similar. The transfer case is different however, along with the suspension, which makes it more capable off road. The new durango is actually longer and wider then the previous gen. Our 05 was very noisey on the highway, but with 4 kids in the car, you couldn't hear the wind anyways! Like others, I researched before I purchased. Our ultimate camper would be a shadow cruiser 280QBS. After seeing trailer life magazine article with the new durango and shadow cruiser, I was happy.

Thsldo wrote:
the 05 was just a not as easy to drive around.

I haven't driven the new Durangos but our 2004 we find very nice to drive. Very smooth ride and handles effortlessly. One of the easiest large vehicles I've driven. I haven't liked the looks of the new D's myself but thats all subjective. Looks smaller inside and out. Along with towing we do some light off roading. I wanted the stiffer truck frame and suspension. I would assume the new D's to have a more car like ride which usually results in poorer handling when towing. My neighbor has a new Jeep Cherokee which is essentially the same as the new Durango. Will have to talk to him more about it. Its about time for a new vehicle although won't need to tow with it.

Most all body on frame, has that body a uni-body

My Suburban is a uni-body on frame

The key is how strong did they design that uni-body?

That then says how strong and rigid is the frame? How big/hard/etc are the body
mounts. Ditto the frame doughnut brackets on the frame

As for uni-bodies and WD Hitch systems...ask why does CanAm have force transfer
brackets/gussets/etc from the traditional receiver to uni-body pan to other
parts of the pan?

It is called load and/or force transfer, or distribution to reduce the forces
at the traditional receivers stress points

Good that the OP understands and is only looking at the 2nd gen or older Durango
Where it is a uni-body on frame architecture

I had a 2005 Durango ,and now have a 2011 Durango. Both have the Hemi's. the 05 towed our 20 foot hybrid fine. the 11, tows it much better. this is also our daily driver, the 05 was just a not as easy to drive around. This being the wifes car, it matters. I personally drive a Chevy Avalanche, and would rather drive that over the 2005. The new Durango, is so much nicer. Very quiet, and has plenty of power. No restrictions on WD hitches. the only thing I am doing now, is replacing the OEM shocks with Bilsteins. as for this not being as stout as a Expy, the Durango is pushing 360Hp. One other positive note, I am getting over 20 on the highway, the 05, I got 16 on the highway.

Northstar451 wrote:
I am only considering Durangos 2009 or earlier with frame construction versus Expos 2007 or later.

We still have our 2004 Durango but no longer tow with it. Used it for 9 years to tow and loved it. It now has 140,000 miles on it and still good as ever. We bought the Durango because we wanted a larger SUV but not as large as the Expo or Suburban. Durango was the perfect compromise.

3.55 and 7200. Still did fine. The bullet was 5100 dry, we didn't load alot on it. The length, not a surprise, was more the issue with some tail wag, but honestly my ford based motorhome has more wander than the durango/bullet combo. And it is a 2005 Durango. Still have it, still going strong.

To be clear, I was perfectly fine using first and second gears in the mountains in Colorado, etc. If you insist on being in drive all the time, you wont be happy.

puttd wrote:
I towed a keystroke bullet 32 footer with a dodge durango Hemi all over the west (2005). I added bilsteins to stiffen the rear of the Hemi, and might have added air bags if I hadn't sold the trailer.the Hemi has good power and at 2 00k miles is doing great. I love the hemi. Really do.

Was your Durango rated for 9,000#, or did it have the 3.55 rear end rated for 7200#? About how much did the trailer weigh?

Thanks

I did not know that all motor coaches are unibody. My main worry is how the hitch connects to the body. Pulling 6000# with a 900# TW. That has to be a heck of a lot of force when you hit severe road conditions. I know some unibody vechicles do not allow you to use a WD hitch.

colliehauler wrote:

Mvander wrote:
Expy is a more robust 1/2 ton based suv. Not saying the durango wont work just that it will be a less robust platform.

I personaly would not want to tow with a uni-body.

Nothing inherantly wrong with a unibody design. They can be made just as strong, and in some cases stronger than a frame.

Something most people don't know about, ALL motor coaches are unibody. They can gross 54,000 lbs and tow 20,000 lbs, on 3 axles. That's more concentrated axle loads than Class 8 semis. Yet their chassis are rated for 2 - 3 million miles of service life.

So the more important question is, how strong is the unibody of the Durango/Grand Cherokee/Mercedes ML? Untill we know the details in bending and torsional stiffness, we can't disregard it just because it lacks a frame.