Dodge Dakota Pulling Question

[SEJAY]

I have a 1995 Dodge Dakota 4 x 4 with a V 6 3.9. I am looking at buying a 1986 21' 6" open bow Bayliner. Does anyone know the weight of this boat and also will my Dodge handle pulling it?
Thank you in advance.

 

[JB]

Re: Dodge Dakota Pulling Question

Howdy, SEJAY.

Welcome to iboats.

First, find out the tow rating of your Dakota as equipped. Drive train differences have different ratings.

Then find out how much the B'liner on a trailer (with brakes) would weigh ready to launch. If the tow weighs more than 70% of the tow rating I would suggest either a bigger truck or a smaller boat.

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Dodge Dakota Pulling Question

I pull a 15' trihull with my 1993 Dakota 2x4 auto 3.9L v6 extra cab with tow package/towing gears. My total rig weight, fully loaded, is about 2200lb. I would NOT go any bigger than MAYBE a 17-18' fiberglass boat with my truck.

I am going to liberally estimate that that your 22' rig (boat, motor, trailer, gear) is going to run something like 5000-5400 lbs. This alone is going to likely put you at or near max TGVW for that vehicle, making controlling and stopping that load difficult. While you'll have plenty of torque to get moving (particularly IF you have the towing gears), the piddly v6 in that truck is NOT going to be enough power to get much over 30mph without a mighty struggle.

IF your Dakota had a 5.2L v8 it would be closer to possible, but IMO, you'll need a full-size (F150/Silverado 1500 sized) truck, ideally with the bigger v8 option, to safely handle that boat.

EDIT: Please note that I am of the "very cautious" school of thought when it comes to tow vehicles.

 

[ChampionShip]

Re: Dodge Dakota Pulling Question

http://www.nadaguides.com/Boats/1988/Bayliner-Marine-Corp/2150-BR-CF++-21/Standard-Equipment

Net weight- 2500 and change dry. Add fuel, gear, ice, beer, etc and you're getting up there. Your Dakota will get it done, but won't win any races doing it.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Dodge Dakota Pulling Question

Welcome to iboats!

If your truck has 3.92 gear ratio in the differentials, it should be rated to tow 5000#. NADA lists the dry weight as 2250 (it's an '86, ChampionShip, not an '88) with the base 4 cylinder motor. With trailer and a reasonable amount of extra cargo (fuel, etc.), your truck should be able to handle it if it's equipped with the proper axle ratio. I'd stay away from highways with hills, though. If the truck has 3.55 axles, towing capacity goes way down.

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Dodge Dakota Pulling Question

Wow that boat's lighter than I thought, maybe I'm 800-1000 lbs over on my previous 5000-5400lb estimate (I was probably thinking more like a walkaround or cuddy). I still say you've got just barely enough power to hit highway speeds on a level road, and I'd sure hope it has the towing gears.

 

[BaileysBoat]

Re: Dodge Dakota Pulling Question

But more importantly, will the Dakota be able to stop! Sure hope the trailer has brakes.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Dodge Dakota Pulling Question

But more importantly, will the Dakota be able to stop! Sure hope the trailer has brakes.

Trailer brakes would be an absolute necessity, IMO. Most states and provinces would agree since the total weight will be at or over 3000#.

 

[ChampionShip]

Re: Dodge Dakota Pulling Question

Welcome to iboats!

(it's an '86, ChampionShip, not an '88) with the base 4 cylinder motor..

Yeah, I saw that but weight isn't a drastic diff between the two and I was too lazy to click the 'pre 1987' thing. Same s***, different pile.