Can I Tow

[Brooke]

I have a 1999 Dodge Dakota with 120,000 miles and am trying to tow a Jaco J Feather 29N, dry weight 5200 lbs. Everone tells me I can tow up to 6700 lbs but Chrysler tells me I can only tow 2000 lbs. Help :hihi:

[norty1]

Scroll down to "trailer hitch platform" Looks like they say 6800 lbs. You should be able to find some more accurate info by inputting your trucks engine , etc.

Could be they are confusing trailer weight and tongue weight?

http://www.allpar.com/trucks/dakota-tech.html

[Brooke]

I have a 5.2 on the Dakota:hihi:

[Rustic Eagle]

Brooke,

Looks like the 5.2L engine in the Dakota could have a tow weight rating of 4,100lbs to 6,700lbs depending on model, tranny, and rear axle ratio. The link that member "Norty1" provided should help you narrow it down. Once you confirm the publicized tow rating for your specific TV, review the following thread to get the "actual" tow rating: http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthread.php?t=3866

As far as the 2006 29N, here are the specifications for that TT:

Weights:
Unloaded Vehicle Weight 5,120lbs
Hitch Weight Dry 765 (lbs)
Cargo Carrying Capacity 1,380 (lbs)
Gross Vehicle Weight 6,500 (lbs)

Measurements:
Exterior Travel Length 30' 8"
Exterior Height w/AC 119"
Interior Headroom 78"

Tank Capacities:
Fresh Water Capacity 36 (gals) (includes water heater)
Gray Wastewater Capacity 30.5 (gals)
Toilet / Black Wastewater Capacity 22.5 (gals)

Without crunching the actual numbers, IMO if you have the 6,700lb published tow rating you could very easily be close to your TV's weight limits (depending on your loading habits), and anything less than a 6,700lb published tow rating the possibility of exceeding your TV's weight limits is very possible.

Also have to consider your TV's cargo capacity, please keep in mind that the "loaded' tongue weight of the 29N gets subtracted from the TV's cargo capacity.

Even though the 29N has a dry weight of approximately 5,200 lbs, very few of us tow empty TT's so a loaded weight of 6,000lbs is very realistic.

Hope this helps.

Bob

[Brooke]

Thanks to all for your help :hihi:

[3Pillons]

I think trying to tow a 29 footer with that mid-size truck would scare the crap out of me. I loved my old Dakota, but I'd be looking to get a full-sized truck.

[clutch]

Originally Posted by 3Pillons

I think trying to tow a 29 footer with that mid-size truck would scare the crap out of me. I loved my old Dakota, but I'd be looking to get a full-sized truck.

My thoughts also. That is a lot of trailer for a mid size truck.

[SecretCoveDave]

I towed our trailer with a mid-size Chevy colorado a few times. Now a full size Ford.

I was legal before, now I am comfortable. IMHO.

Have fun no matter what you choose, Dave.

[markndeb]

I towed a 24 ft Wilderness with a Dakota....it didn't like it very well, cornering was not good, it is too light of truck.

[Denise]

Originally Posted by SecretCoveDave

I was legal before, now I am comfortable. IMHO.
.

Well said

[Westerncanuck]

I would tend to agree.....that is alot of trailer to pull with a Dakota even with the 5.9 lt in it. I have the hemi in my Dodge and my trailer's GVW is 5500 lbs max. although it pulls quite nicely.
I think the Dakota will have issues pulling it once you add weight on board

[drfife]

Originally Posted by 3Pillons

I think trying to tow a 29 footer with that mid-size truck would scare the crap out of me. I loved my old Dakota, but I'd be looking to get a full-sized truck.

[KachFam]

We have the same trailer and we had a 2007 tahoe when we first bought it. I also used to have a Dakota, and I don't think it would like the big trailer very well. If you do try it, I would highly reccomend an Equalizer 4-pt sway control hitch. It really made the trailer 'doable' with the Tahoe. Dakotas are tough trucks for their size, but I think full-size running gear would do better with such a long and heavy trailer. Dakotas also have lighter duty transmissions than their full-size counterparts if I remember correctly...

Even our Tahoe was on the lighter-duty end of what I'd want to tow our trailer with and I'm much happier with the way our 3/4 ton Dodge tows it (although it's total overkill).