Tow vehicle question.

I am not aware of any dodge that has a length rating. No reason to avoid the combination.

Personally, I wouldn't even consider it. You'll have plenty of power, but the coil springs, the low GVWR (6600#), and especially the short wheelbase (119") make it a poor towing platform for a trailer that large.

FWIW I had a 2000 Durango, which I traded in for a 2003 Ram 1500 when I got my Kiwi 23B (23' hybrid) because the Durango wasn't up to the task. I realize the 2004 Durango is a slightly different animal, but so is that trailer, by a lot. My current trailer is about the same size as that Coachmen, but even though my Ram was a 4x2 (which has 400# more payload than a 4x4), I was still over my GVWR by about 100#.

I now have the truck in my sig, which has GVWR=7650# and wheelbase=144". It's an excellent combination, but I wouldn't want to go with much more trailer or any less truck. And I especially wouldn't give up 2 feet of wheelbase.

-- Rob

I personally would invest in a better hitch for that combo.

A Propride or Hensley would be the only hitch I would consider for that set up.

You are spending 20-25K for the trailer another 2k for a hitch is a no brainer.

Check out one of the Durango Yahoo groups. Talk with owners who are towing with their Durangos. We love ours, I can't answer for length but our 24ft tows beautifully.

Some numbers that I found for an '04:

Curb weight 5,095 lbs.
Front curb weight 2,786 lbs.
Rear curb weight 2,309 lbs.
GVWR 6,600 lbs.
Front GAWR 3,600 lbs.
Rear GAWR 3,900 lbs.
Payload 1,510 lbs.
Towing capacity 5,750 lbs.
GCWR 11,000 lbs.

Max. advertised receiver TW is 740#. The TT has a dry TW of 585#. For a 12% TW @ GVWR (7000#), TW can be 840#. With the kids and dog (?) in the back of the Durango, and you'll hit the limits of the truck rather quickly on all fronts (and possibly over GCWR). As previously mentioned, the short wheelbase of the truck may make towing a 31' TT interesting.

I don't see a problem with it. I own this exact trailer. It tows great, doesn't bounce or weave. Use a good hitch set up and enjoy. Tongue weight is relatively light for a camper this size.

31.2 ft is the overall length from tongue to bumper. It is a lot easier to tow than my old TT that was 31 ft for the cabin alone.

not a good idea. your length target for this suv should be no longer than 23-24 feet. you should be looking at a half ton truck or shorter camper. also watch the tongue weight. your gvwr probably will not leave much wiggle room. it doesn't matter if you are driving short distance or flat roads if your tow vehicle can't handle the trailer you can kill someone five minutes from your house.

A 31 foot Lever has more leverage than a 21 foot lever .
A 31 foot lever that weighs 7000 # has more leverage than a 19 foot Tow vehicle that weighs 6000 # .
A 13 % tongue weight would mitigate your leverage problem but the durango will not allow this remedy .
Start looking at the new CumminsMobiles .
I hear they are very sweet .

Hanna wrote:
I have an 04 Durango limited, it has the hemi and 3.55 gears, and factory tow hitch. Towing max is 7200 lbs. my wife has her heat set on a coachman apex 288BHS. The trailer weighs 4,842 lbs dry and has a gross weight of 7,000lbs. The trailers is 31.2 ft long. The length is my main concern. I will be using the equalizer hitch with 4 point sway control. The question is does anyone think I shouldn't tow this trailer? Will be mostly flat land and maybe 3 hours max travel time.

Coachman 288BHS

Do a lot of research before you try that combination. You do have enough engine to pull such a trailer, but I think that is about the only thing that works for you with such a long and heavy trailer. Unfortunately, the most common and misused rating is that 7,200 pound tow rating. It is almost never a valid number when it comes to travel trailers. Many agree that something under 80% of that number makes for a good experience.

My boss had a similar setup and burned thru three right side exhaust manifolds towing that much trailer. Swapped out the Durango for a Excursion and problems went away.