Can my Dodge Durango GT haul a 4400 lbs travel trailer?

[doum]

Can my Dodge Durango GT (towing capacity 6200 lbs) haul a travel trailer of 4400 lbs (GVWR : 5500 lbs)? Want to be sure i'm safe and not pushing the limit.
Thanks alot! This will be my first travel trailer.

[LVJJJ]

How do you know the TT weighs 4400 lbs? Salesman info, from spec sheet? You will never know for sure unless you weigh it. Most likely it weighs a lot more than 4400 lbs, is that dry weight or loaded? Most TT's we've had weighed a lot more than advertised except for our Trail Lite and current Trail Cruiser. Since I started towing in 1988 with a 1965 Chevy Van with a 292 inline six, I've always been very wary of actual TT weights. Some TT's we looked at weighed over 1000 lbs heavier than their listed weight. In the early '90's we got an '88 3/4 ton Suburban with a 454 so I quit worrying about weight for a while. Now we've got a '94 1/2 ton GMC Suburban, it had trouble towing our 4200 lb. 28' Trail Cruiser the 350's that year were really weak. The sticker on one of the cabinet doors in the trailer says dry weight is about 3800 lbs, actual weight is 4200 partially loaded. So, that's pretty close. The Burb now has a 383 stroker so weight doesn't mean much to me any more. We are well under the 13,000 lb GVWR for the '94.

[Grit_dog]

No, actually aj is about spot on with his response. Sure there’s some conjecture about the 9 vs 6 k thing, but no more than the geritol crowd tossing up the white flag anytime someone doesn’t have a dually to tow a popup.
Gde, it’s an absolutely fair comparison with the 30klb story. Why is one dually rated to tow say 14klb and the same brand and year rated for 30k? Chassis? Nope, same. Brakes? Nope, same. Drivetrain? Yup. If one burns unleaded and has highway gears and the other is a HO diesel with deeper gears, THAT is the difference.
But it’s hard for the uninformed to understand that....and now we have turned someone else’s thread into a Peeing match.
FWIW, I always try to give a real answer first before jumping on the old guy scared of towing bandwagon.
To those saying it’s not acceptable to tow within the ratings, because that’s what your saying.....if you can’t quote specifics as to why you feel that way, real specifics, not some conjecture from someone who hasn’t been there done that, you should refrain from replying.
All the naysayers....quick quiz.
What transmission does the OPs Durango have?
Are the axles the same as a SRT Durango?

[Gdetrailer]

ajriding wrote:
If you are at the age where you are shaking your fits and saying, "you kids get out of my yard?", then it is right to panic about all this. In reality, people go way over the rating all the time and it works. Diesel p'ups sometimes tow 30,000lbs which is way way over the rating. When Dodge says, 6,000lbs rating, they will likely assume you are not adding the weight of the passengers or stuff you have in your truck/suv already. They reduce the tow rating by what they assume will be in the truck because people sue so readily over things that are the drivers fault, and win. So, Dodge says to themselves, this suv can tow 9,000 lbs, but we know people will over load a 6.000 dry weight trailer and not know it is heavier than the stated 6,000 lbs, and they will also over load their suv with weight and not consider this weight either, so let's state the tow rate at 3,000lbs less so it is dummy proof...

Stay within reason with weights, and your trailer is within reason, drive carefully, get a good feel for what you cannot do with the trailer and enjoy your trip.

Pretty arrogant statement with lots of broad paint brushes used and not to mention "arm chair/ keyboard engineering".

A lot of Diesel pickups towing 30K lbs? Yeah, I suspect that statement is not being 100% truthful because you LEFT out the small fact that THOSE pickup trucks are in the 1.5 Ton class and higher (F450/4500 and up). Not a fair comparison to the OPs vehicle. You certainly would not see a 1/2, 3/4 ton with Diesel towing 30K lbs, 30K lbs would mean they have 4,500 lbs of hitch weight which IS going to easily exceed the tires, axles and spring ratings to the point of self destruction..

The manufacturers do not simply and arbitrarily pull numbers out of thin air. No, they take in account not just engine grunt but transmission strengthen, brakes frame, axles, all suspension parts like steering, ball joints,tie rods, springs rims and tires. They look at the WEAKEST part in the chain and the max rating will not exceed that weakest part.

They also take into account use, longevity of heavy use and how much they are willing going to warranty your use provided you did not OVERLOAD any of the weakest parts in the chain.

The manufacturers must CERTIFY that at the towing numbers they give it is SAFE to use up to that number. After that number, it is up to you the driver to determine if you are feeling LUCKY and "safe" to exceed that number.

Just because you can, does not mean you should.

Stay within your numbers and chances are things will be fine, exceed the numbers and you are saying you will take that responsibility..

[Jebby14]

numbers dont lie, salesmen do......

just because ajriding is comfortable out of the numbers doesnt make it a good idea

[GrandpaKip]

ajriding wrote:
If you are at the age where you are shaking your fits and saying, "you kids get out of my yard?", then it is right to panic about all this. In reality, people go way over the rating all the time and it works. Diesel p'ups sometimes tow 30,000lbs which is way way over the rating. When Dodge says, 6,000lbs rating, they will likely assume you are not adding the weight of the passengers or stuff you have in your truck/suv already. They reduce the tow rating by what they assume will be in the truck because people sue so readily over things that are the drivers fault, and win. So, Dodge says to themselves, this suv can tow 9,000 lbs, but we know people will over load a 6.000 dry weight trailer and not know it is heavier than the stated 6,000 lbs, and they will also over load their suv with weight and not consider this weight either, so let's state the tow rate at 3,000lbs less so it is dummy proof...

Stay within reason with weights, and your trailer is within reason, drive carefully, get a good feel for what you cannot do with the trailer and enjoy your trip.

Curious as to how you know this. Did someone from Dodge tell you?

[ajriding]

If you are at the age where you are shaking your fits and saying, "you kids get out of my yard?", then it is right to panic about all this. In reality, people go way over the rating all the time and it works. Diesel p'ups sometimes tow 30,000lbs which is way way over the rating. When Dodge says, 6,000lbs rating, they will likely assume you are not adding the weight of the passengers or stuff you have in your truck/suv already. They reduce the tow rating by what they assume will be in the truck because people sue so readily over things that are the drivers fault, and win. So, Dodge says to themselves, this suv can tow 9,000 lbs, but we know people will over load a 6.000 dry weight trailer and not know it is heavier than the stated 6,000 lbs, and they will also over load their suv with weight and not consider this weight either, so let's state the tow rate at 3,000lbs less so it is dummy proof...

Stay within reason with weights, and your trailer is within reason, drive carefully, get a good feel for what you cannot do with the trailer and enjoy your trip.

[Grit_dog]

You’re fine.
Presuming this trailer is tandem axle 24’ ish based on weight, it’s about all the Durango wants for physical size, but the exact same chassis, everything but the engine is rated higher with bigger engine.
The engine is the limiting factor here, to combat the sail/anchor hooked to it.
Like I said, won’t win races, but there’s plenty of vehicles with a lot less overall power/gearing hauling around 5klb trailers.

Your presumed inexperience towing would be better served with a vehicle that “tows it like it isn’t there”, but that isn’t what you have. It’s hard to explain to newbies, especially among the litany of “you’re overweight” responses, but it’s fine. WDH and working trailer brakes will be necessary and let er rip.
Or to put it another way, same drivetrain in a Ram 1500 is ALSO rated to tow it.
New Durango’s are super capable, like most new vehicles. Bulletproof trans and great brakes.

[GrandpaKip]

You will probably max out/go over your payload.
720 + 500 + 100 = 1320
That’s with no other gear in the SUV.
Doable? Yes.
Safe? Only you can determine that.

[afidel]

doum wrote:

Jebby14 wrote:
payload is going to limit you.

5500lbs trailer means around 720 lbs tongue weight (13 % us a good start)

720 tongue weight
+ 100 lbs for hitch
+ weight of family in the car
+ weight of gear in the car
+ weight of extras (think ice, water, firewood)

= less than your payload. ok
= more than your payload, no go.

personally thats a tall order and id pass (having upgraded to an f150 from a grand cherokee myself)

My Durango 2020 came equipped with factory towing package with break
The GVWR of the Durango is 6500. The payload is 1360.
The travel trailer dry hitch weight is 400 lbs (Jay flight SLX8 224 BH)
Weight of family in car would be 500 lbs
Also, I would have the husky centerline swing bars

I haven't bought the travel trailer yet and I won't buy it if it's risky. Both the car dealership and RV dealership say it's absolutely fine. However, I'm not sure I can trust them.

Thanks so much for your opinions.

You are likely to be at or over several design limts, gross vehicle weight rating of the tow vehicle (gvwr), rear axle weight rating (often hard to find published), and gross combined weight rating (gcwr). Combined with the Pentastar power plant and I don't think you will have a very enjoyable experience.

I started out with a minivan towing the trailer in my signature, technically within the published specifications of the vehicle, but barely. Around the same time a coworker was doing something similar with a Honda Odyssey and a hybrid trailer. I quickly realized I needed a bigger tow vehicle and upgraded to a half ton, he kept the Odyssey, planning to get an Explorer in a few years. 4 years in, his trailer is sold, mine has almost 30k miles on it.

If you want to enjoy the hobby I suggest setting your sights on a trailer better suited to your tow vehicle, something closer to my trailer or a pop-up.

[Grit_dog]

Chassis is plenty big, heavy and stout components. It will be safe. Better than the Toyota the other feller is asking about.
The V6 won’t win any races compared to the current crop of V8s but taker easy. It won’t like big grades, not for the weight but the wind resistance. 8speed ZF trans is a good crutch for lack of power though. Know what rpms is the the top of the powerband and choose your gear to max it out.

[hookie]

My Grand Cherokee (same basic vehicle as Durango but with shorter wheelbase) with the 5.7 Hemi V8 has no problems pulling my TT which is 22’ and 3500 lbs wet. Power is very good and payload not a problem (only 1 or 2 of us). Nobody has mentioned the Durango GT has the v6, the RT has the v8. I do not think you will be happy towing with the v6 regardless of what the max tow rating is. JMHO.

[Lwiddis]

“The travel trailer dry hitch weight is 400 lbs (Jay flight SLX8 224 BH)”

Probably 10% which is not enough...13 to 15% is better to help prevent sway.
Loaded and wet will add 1000 to 1200 pounds to the TT and move up the necessary tongue weight.

“Both the car dealership and RV dealership say it's absolutely fine.” lol Both have a vested interest...your money.

[time2roll]

I have often said to keep the trailer GVWR within the tow rating. The issue often comes down to payload capacity. Many already load the tow vehicle to max GVWR and then want to connect a trailer. The tow rating includes only a 150# driver and a full tank of fuel. All additional passengers, options and equipment in the vehicle reduce the payload rating to carry the hitch weight. Anyway don't go crazy with extra in the vehicle and go have some fun.

[doum]

My Durango 2020 came equipped with factory towing package with break
The GVWR of the Durango is 6500. The payload is 1360.
The travel trailer dry hitch weight is 400 lbs (Jay flight SLX8 224 BH)
Weight of family in car would be 500 lbs
Also, I would have the husky centerline swing bars

I haven't bought the travel trailer yet and I won't buy it if it's risky. Both the car dealership and RV dealership say it's absolutely fine. However, I'm not sure I can trust them.

Thanks so much for your opinions.