Going to buy a Travel Trailer but have a few quesitons

[acorne]

I hope I'm posting in the right place for this, if not I apologize in advance.

We have been looking at travel trailers but we are not for certain what we can tow. We have a 2000 Dodge Dakota QC 3.9L and we do not have the manual. We have been told a range of weight we can pull, from 3000-almost 4500. The one we are currently looking at is a 18Ft Hybrid with a dry weight of 2,990. How much more of a trailer do you think we could pull?

Thanks so much for your help.
Angela

[bikendan]

first, need more info on your Dakota.
like which model, SLT, Sport Plus or SLT Plus? what rear end ratio does it have? does it have the factory tow package?

second, what year/brand/model of hybrid are you looking at? and is the dry weight number from the actual sticker on the trailer or is it from a brochure? for a hybrid, you should be using the hybrid's GVWR since hybrids don't typically have huge CCC amounts.

[downtheroad]

Welcome to the Forum...you have gotten good and experienced advice from newman fulltimer and donn0128 above.

Your best bet is a tent trailer. The short wheel base, low payload Dakota is really not suited or designed for towing much more than a pop up or a small utility/garden trailer.

Also DON'T use the dry weight of any trailer you are considering...no one camps in a dry, empty trailer.

How may people are in your family...kids, dog, gear, etc.
Good luck with you search

[donn0128]

Welcome, Yes you did post in a good place. With that truck your ratings are not as high as you think. You will be far better off getting a tent trailer, and not the largest ones at that. Had as a company truck one of those with the V8. Not only was it a gas hog and a hot rod, but as for towing or carrying much it was not a good choice. Your biggest problem with towing is wind resistance. This can kill foreword momentum really fast. Keep small and light and low to the ground are your best choices.

[newman_fulltime]

Probably cannot even pull that one by the time you add people fueland goods overweight.about the only thing you can pull is a pup