Durango as Tow vehicle

[signus-x]

Hello everyone.<br /><br />I am looking at getting a 2000 Durango R/T as a tow vehicle for my 19' cuddy cabin boat. This Durango has a 5.9 liter engine that has 245 HP and 335ft-lbs. Would this vehicle be sufficent for my needs? <br /><br />Also, like most boaters, I plan on buying a new, bigger boat in the future. Something in the 23' range or so. Would I have any problems towing somthing this size with this Durango.<br /><br />Last off I would like to know if anyone has a Durango and how they like it and how it's held up so far.<br /><br />Thanks in advance!<br />Jim

 

[JB]

Re: Durango as Tow vehicle

I had two friends who had Durangos. One traded his for a Denali and the other traded for a new V8 Explorer. <br /><br />They are both happy with the new vehicles, neither liked the Durango after the first couple of months, when they started falling apart.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[495v]

Re: Durango as Tow vehicle

I agree with JB. My buddy has one and is happy with it, I just think they are made rather cheaply. By this I mean the cosmetics of the vehicle. Engine and powertrain package is good, but cosmetically they seem to be chincy. Plenty of power though.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Durango as Tow vehicle

You would be OK with the smaller boat, but forget about towing a 23' plus boat with a Durango. I pulled a 19' with a similar vehicle and ended up getting a new truck (Burb) when I got a 22' walk around. The truck had plenty of HP but it didn’t have the chassis weight nor the suspension to deal with the added weight. Even with the Burb, you definitely know that it’s back there.

 

[kwk]

Re: Durango as Tow vehicle

I bought a 1999 Durango in January and like it a lot. It makes a good family vehicle because of the third seat and its easy access. We sold our minivan and bought the Durango because we wanted to tow a boat (18' footer, but hoping for bigger). I've also got the 5. 9L with 3.92 axle ratio so the book says it will tow just over 7000 lbs. It tows less for the standard 3.55 axle ratio. Except for the gas mileage (which IS as bad as they say, but no tow vehicle is going to be good in that department), the Durango rates well in most consumer guides.<br /><br />Although it has only been four months, we are happy with it. It is an affordable alternative so some of the bigger SUVs.

 

[RJS]

Re: Durango as Tow vehicle

Of the big 3 automakers, Chrysler is the worst in terms of quality control.

 

[lepper]

Re: Durango as Tow vehicle

Right now I pull a 2700lb glass boat with a 98 toyota tacoma 4 cyl..... It is a little slow on hills but it makes it... my new boat is 2000lb fully loaded. so that will help my little toy a lot.

 

[CHUCKB1]

Re: Durango as Tow vehicle

RJS is correct. Chrysler products are junk!!

 

[495v]

Re: Durango as Tow vehicle

I wouldn't go quite that far. I am on my second Jeep Grand Cherokee laredo, a 96' and a 01'. The only complaint I have had is their peice of s*@t calipers. I just had them replace my pads, rotors and calipers because rotors warped with only 18,000 miles. Has good power pulling my boat which weighs roughly 3500lbs loaded. I plan on going with either a F-250 or GMC truck for my next vehicle.

 

[Jersey Jim]

Re: Durango as Tow vehicle

Hey 495V; on Jeeps it is extremely important to torque your lug nuts to factory specs. If you continue to have problems have "Stillen" rotors installed - they have chambered holes drilled thru to disapate heat buildup. Go to<br />www.jeepsunlimited.com and search for the word "Stillen".