Towing Question

[Dennis Hamer]

First of all. I want to thak ll of those that responded to my last post asking about the 898 vs 901. OK, my next question is about towing. I have a 1997 Dodge Dakota 4x4 sport with the heavy duty towing package. My question is this. Will I be able to tow either boat I mentioned earlier with the setup I have now?



Thanks in advance



Da Hame

 

[Dennis Hamer]

Oh. By the way. I am looking at either rig with the 200 Opti.

 

[Scott Hammer TOXIC]

Dennis, Towing pkg. is great but what motor and gearing do you have?



TOXIC

 

[Staci Matheis]

I tow a 1994 Nitro 2000 (20') / 200 hp with my Jeep Cherokee / I-6. It gets the job done, but it would be nice to have a V-8.

 

[Dennis Hamer]

TOXIC,

It has the 3.9 V6. Don't know the gearing. I just looked at a website that said the standard package would pull a max of 5200 lbs.

 

[Scott Hammer TOXIC]

4X4 will get you out of any problems at the ramp, the 6 will be a little doggy but it will work. Scott's Jeep has the 4.0 if I remember correctly.



TOXIC

 

[Staci Matheis]

4.0L / 190 hp

 

[Kim Becker]

I tow a 700 LX with a 1999 Dakota with the magnum v-6 in it with no problems. I have towed buddies boats which were 19 and 20 footers and it was a little sluggish. Not sure if this helps you or not.

 

[Bryan McDonough]

Big boats for a medium sized truck. I would guess you will never be happy with that combo. It will work but it will be tough on that truck. Those boats will weigh close to 4k lbs with trailer, boat, motor and fuel, batteries and gear. Not mention the passengers. Eventhough the truck is rated for 5200 lbs a hill will take 3000lbs and double it. But sometimes it is the tradeoff between a big truck or a nice boat. I would have chosen the same. Good luck.

 

[Staci Matheis]

When I had my old Nitro 180/115 Merc, the Jeep did very well. I just happened to have the Jeep when I came across the much larger boat. Since it is at least "adequate", we're all happy for the time being. When it comes time to buy a new vehicle, I will go to an 8-cylinder if I still have a 20' boat.

 

[Rob LaMoy]

I towed lots of boats with my Dakota. It will do the job, but as many have noted, on hills it may lug a little. Plus, be sure you have brakes on a boat the size of a 901 or 898, because the Dakota is NOT big enough or heavy enough to stop it quick. Those boats will push you clear into an intersection. I now have the 4.3 Vortec in my Bravada and it's the only part about the GM that I like so far. It tows like an 8 cylinder. I can tow an 896 no problem.