Towing with a 2012 Dodge Durango

Thanks everyone for your feedback. Sorry it took so long to respond. Yes, the tow package I got was only the lights. I'm going to read other posts and sure will have more questions.

Forget the tow ratings, what's its payload. The yellow door sticker should give you what you can carry which is everything you bring with you including the tongue weight of trailer and the w/d hitch weight. If you or the dealer has added extra stuff to your vehicle (running boards etc.) I would go to a cat scale and weigh it and you may end up with less than what the sticker says. Leave yourself some room for safety's sake!

You say "you got the tow lights hooked up"? A factory tow pkg will have the 7-way already there. If they had to add wiring then it didn't come with the factory tow pkg.

All the above is good advice. As I have a 2015 DD with the eight speed can't speak to the OD lockout. Check your owners manual on that. Also when you purchase check the tire speed ratings on the tires and do not exceed the ratings. Also if tires are older than 4 years plan on replacing them ASAP. ST tires are only good for about 3-5 years or 10-12,000 miles. If they need to be replaced upgrade to D or E rating if possible.

Also as a new owner do a through Pre Delivery Inspection (PDI) to find things to be fixed prior to purchase. Usually takes about 2-3 hours. A lot of inspection guidance on this and the internet. Take your time and do your due diligence.

Good Luck

Plan to tow with overdrive locked out. This will help keep your torque converter from generating too much heat (which can damage the transmission). You'll want a good in-cab brake controller; the Tekonsha Prodigy controllers are worth the little bit extra they might cost. Also consider a weight distribution hitch with built-in sway control, such as the Equal-i-zer or Andersen No-Sway (I've used both and preferred the latter, but either one will work).

Plan on driving about 60 mph most of the time, and be willing to slow down on the uphill grades. Anything faster will smack your fuel economy and be a greater strain on the drive train. And try to pick out a TT that minimizes the frontal area (not too tall, not too wide) because wind resistance is the big factor when towing on the highway. I would try to keep the height under 105" (not counting A/C unit) and only 7'-7.5' wide instead of 8', unless it has a more rounded shape (like Airstream).

In addition to what you've mentioned the 2012 Durango (factory) trailer tow group included a larger radiator, heavy duty PWM cooling fan, and a trans oil cooler. So you're already good to go.