Dodge Durango

[BADFISH II]

Anyone have any opinions on the 03 Dodge Durango? Supposedly the 4*2 tows 6K lbs. 4.7ltr V8. Keith, you probably have some thoughts on this?

[duckbutter]

Sneekee has the 4.7 in his Dakota and that thing hauls @$$ http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif
Only problem is gas milage http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/angry.gif

[kc0000]

my cousin has the v8 and loves it!

[BADFISH II]

which V8? there's a 5.9 and a 4.7 - properly set up, the 4.7 can pull 6K lbs of boat http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

They're running a deal out here at Towbin. New 03 Chopper edition (with 3 dvd screens, lowered, with wheels) for 239/mos. no down oac - I'm ac http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif The big deal is for 03 ALL cars have to have the child safety latch system for the car seats, this one has it. My tahoe doesn't, plus I'm paying 350/mos for the Tahoe. My only deal is how does it tow? My tahoe and the Durango have the same wheelbase.

[THOR]

Froggy on the HB board tows his boat with it and he seems to like it. Throw an exhaust and the K&N kit on it and that thing will fly. Really.

[BADFISH II]

http://www.choppercars.com/images/weeklyspecials/2-6-2003/DCP_4215.jpg

[Essex502]

I have a 2000 Dodge Dakota with the 4.7 and it tows the Sterling pretty well. The only caution I would have is that the long, steep climbs such as I-15 south towards Baker the truck tends to heat-up. I have to drop it down to third gear and use the dedicated truck lane and drive at about 45 mph to get over the hill. Same with the I-40 near Needles. Has been this way from the beginning. The climb between 95 and Laughlin can be problematic as well.

The second issue is pretty well known and that is the trouble with front brake rotor warping.

See this! (http://www.dodgedakotas.com/boards/dea/181-1.html)

In less than 40K miles I have replaced the rotors twice and had the originals turned once. At a suggestion from another boater I used the cryogenically frozen rotors this last time and again, I am getting the beginnings of a slight shudder that indicates warpage.

As to mileage, when we drive predominately on the highway as from home to Havasu, we get about 18 mph without the trailer and 13 with it. City stop and go you'll get 16 or so unloaded. This is perfectly acceptable to me.

Other than the heating and breaking the Dakota works pretty damn good!

[BADFISH II]

Interesting! If it tows your sterling fine it will do just fine for me. We don't do many long distance trips to the lake anyway. Are rotors covered under their warranty? My guess is not. Supposedly you can get ABS on the front too. Not sure though.

[Essex502]

The first set were covered under warranty. The second set were not as the truck had passed the warranty point by that time. Towing on the flat the truck is great. It is only towing up steep hills on warm to hot days that you have to baby it - no A/C, 3rd gear and 45 or so up the hill.

[MOWtown]

I tow my 21' Eliminator with the small v-8 ,4.7,in my 2002 Durango. I would like a little more power for the long grades, but, other than that, I am completely satisfied. I was going to get the big v-8 but I figured that 90% of the time, momma and the kids will be drivin' around town so I wanted to keep the mileage a little lower. Without the boat, even the 4.7 has good pickup. No regrets but I am also starting to notice rotor warpage at 22,000 miles.

Mike

[kevnmcd]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (duckbutter @ Feb. 18 2003, 09:31 am)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Sneekee has the 4.7 in his Dakota and that thing hauls @$$ http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif
Only problem is gas milage http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/angry.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I have a 4.6L...and it HAULS a$$!! http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif

[Essex502]

Mike - see the link I posted earlier. There might be some help at that site. I understand the 5.9 gets really sh*tty mileage - much worse than our 4.7's do.

[MOWtown]

yeah, for the mileage that the 5.9 gets, you might as well have a full size king cab...

I'll check that site..thanks

[Rude]

greg, the only thing i can say is that if you do intend on supersizing your lake ride i would stick with a full size truck. something along the lines of an excursion, 4x4, with a powerstroke!!