towing with a dodge dakota?

[swing blade]

Ok I know how you guys really like to suggest the big powerstorke and cummins motors. And believe me, I would definately get one if i could afford it but...

I have been looking at a used vehicle to replace my 1988 crown victoria sedan. I need a truck. Right now I am a college student and I do not want to have a huge payment every month. I can get a ram 1500 or f-150 but it leaves me in kind of a tight spot. I have been looking at a 2000 Dodge Dakota club cab. These are really nice and I think it would do for a while. But the question is will it tow what I need. I have a 1950 plymouth sedan that I take to shows on a tandem axle steel bed trailer thats 18" long. The car weighs about 2800 lbs. I also need to haul trailers with plants, block, mulch, and lumber. I just wanted your guys opinions on what you would do and what you know the dakota can handle.

Thanks,

Milo

[grassdaddy]

If it's a v-8 and you got trailer brakes you'll get by.I've heard those little dodges with auto have bad trans. trouble when pullin much.have you thought about a little older and a little bigger?3/4 or 1 ton??You might not be the hipp-est kid on campass with a big old longbed,but you would have something to work with.;)

[swing blade]

thanks for the advice. I am just not sure if i want to finance an older truck. It will be my daily driver too, so economy is also a good thing.

[goodbeus]

I used a 93 dakota regular cab to pull a 16' trailer loaded with lawn equipment for 3 years...has the magnum v6 with a stick...if what you're looking at is an automatic, I'd pass...did a pretty good job pulling, but give yourself plenty of room for stopping...I retired it last summer, I just keep it for back-up...:blob4:

[mag360]

My buddy bought a backhoe from my dad and showed up with a dakota 3.9l 5spd and a tandem axle trailer w/brakes. Towed the thing an hour and a half home without any trouble---operating weight was like 8000lbs+.

[gogetter]

I pulled a 5'x10' trailer with my '99 Dakota (pics on here somewhere). It was a 5.2L V8.
Had no problem pulling or stopping.

I read an article on the net by some car and truck online magazine where they did a long term road test with a '99. They pulled a Jeep on a trailer all around the country, including alot of mountain range. They gave the Dakota a big thumbs up and said it performed great!

[swing blade]

thanks for all the advice. It sounds like it will work out. I am looking at a manual. I do want to know what hitch setup you were using with the various exapmles. was it a tag? and was it weight carrying or distributing? I doubt you could do a 5th wheel on it but thought I would check to be sure.

thanks

Milo

[gogetter]

Mine was a class III U-Haul hitch.

BTW, I don't know squat about trailer brakes, but it would stand to reason that for a larger, dual axle/car carrier size trailer, you would probably want trailer brakes.

[bls47303]

I have a 1997 dodge dakota with the magnum v6 auto trans. in it and it pulls a 16' tandam just fine:cool:

[bls47303]

I might also suggest adding an add-a-lief kit though

[swing blade]

yes i am planning on beefing up the suspension.. I would really like to air bag it.

[mud_man93]

i would go for it my dad has an 88 3.9 5 speed that he hauled a new Holland skid steer i think it was a LS180 and i had a 97 auto i towed a 74 f-250 lifted that was on a 16 foot beaver tail trailer its self weighs 3000 it dropped the truck to the axles and it wasn't by all means fast but it did the job i loved that truck but the dealer would not stand behind the warranty. i recommend getting the strongest 2 receiver hitch you can. hope this helps BTW these trucks have the best traction u can get in 2wd

[mklawnman]

The one thing that you do have to keep in mind is that with a manual trany you can't tow as much, and it can be alot tougher on the whole system itself, and the clutch. Make sure you get brakes for the trailer and a good Class III hitch. If your going to be using the truck alot for your business your going to have to realize that the clutch will get worn out quicker cause of the extra towing you do all the time, putting more stress on the trany.
I have a 98 Ranger that I used to pull a 12ft trailer with a ZTR and a WB on it just fine, but I dont have trailer brakes and I think after one year of use using that truck as my work truck and regular truck its starting to show its wear on the brakes.
It would be nice to get a F150 4x4 for plowing ya know as well ;), but hey I understand with your budget stuff right now.
Good luck
Matt