?? X23f or x19h for a Hemi Durango TV

[Kdunk1]

I want to upgrade from a x17 to the x23f but worried about towing.
I have a Dodge Durango with a 5.7 Hemi and the 8 speed transmission.
I have looked over all the numbers and crunched them 20 different ways and I am well within limits in every aspect (although some may say the wheelbase is a little short for a 24'10" trailer).
All in i would be at 77.7% of the Durango's 7400lb tow limit.
What I'm looking for is personal experience responses,
Example: my previous setup was an x17 (3000lbs) TV 6 cylinder Jeep Grand Cherokee (5000lb tow rating). Loaded up I was 83% max TV rating, this worked ok but only going down hill or flat. Not good for western NC but good to take to the beach.
So I'm concerned about putting myself back into that same situation with the x23f. It's just me the wife and two little ones so the x19h is my second choice.
Thanks

[DocBrown]

Actually you could potentially be closer to 80% of your capacity if for some reason you would load it to it's GVWR. That's not bad, just something to be aware of.

What you may run into is payload issues. Check the driver door sticker and see what the max payload is. SUVs typically have a lower payload than their similarly equipped PU counter parts.

Let's say you load the trailer to 5500#. That's a potential tongue weight of 715#. If the payload on the truck is 1200#, then you have 485# left for you family, dog, and anything else that is in the truck with you. And don't forget the weight of the hitch, maybe another 100#. Now it's 385# left. Not a whole lot. And that's why towing capacity alone is not how you determine what you can tow.

It's exactly why I have a full size PU truck now.

[skylarkva]

We towed a 26BH with a 2011 Durango (5.7) until upgrading to a class c last month. It was a great combination, I wouldn't hesitate to make the jump. Our loaded trailer was around 6200lbs typically.

I'd say the biggest thing I did that made a world of difference- we used a Pro-Pride hitch. I was comfortable towing a lot closer to my limits than many in the "go buy a 3/4 ton pickup" crowd because the hitch is just that good.

The weight you'll have to keep closest watch on is your tongue, at only 750lbs it's a tricky balance. Again the hitch helps a ton, and to counter the added weight of the PP I relocated 2 golf cart batteries to a reinforced tray on the rear bumper.

[Jachwa]

We bought a 2016 X23 F last year and love it. We towed it with our 2010 Pathfinder (max was 6000 LBS). It towed the trailer fine. It did eat gas but that is to be expected. We never went crazy packing the the camper up but do travel with 2 toddlers and 2 golden retrievers.

We actually took it from eastern Ontario to Nova Scotia to a couple of weeks. Overall I was impressed with how it towed. It did lose a bit on the some steep grades but nothing alarming. I do have a Husky Centerline TS WD hitch that works really well.

[johnsoax]

We towed our X23B to Florida from Ohio with a 2013 Durango Citadel with the V6. Would have liked the power of the HEMI through the up and down hills of Georgia and Florida, but rig was rock steady as far as stability.

[j33p]

I have the x23B with my 2010 Grand HEMI (similar) and with the WD hitch I have lots of power and no issues.

HEMI loves to use fuel when towing. lol I think I am around 11MPG

[go wild]

Originally Posted by j33p

I have the x23B with my 2010 Grand HEMI (similar) and with the WD hitch I have lots of power and no issues.

HEMI loves to use fuel when towing. lol I think I am around 11MPG

x2
Just returned yesterday from a relatively flat-land 4-day trip. No problems with power even with AC on, cruise on, and moderate winds..~10 MPG with the hemi.

[Kdunk1]

Actually went with a 2017 x23b. Durango pulls it no problems.
For thoughts on the 2017 x23b see my more recent post.

[twoballscrewball]

For what it's worth, when we originally bought our 23F this winter we only had my wifes 2015 Santa Fe (Full size one, 7 passenger) to pull it with. Rated for 5000 with a 300hp v6, we pulled it with that TV a couple of times and it towed wonferfully with a Prodigy P3 brake controller and the 6000lb Equalizer E2 hitch.

We upgraded to a Silverado 4WD since then, mostly for the peace of mind and the extra cargo room in the bed, but I swear the Silverado while it has more power, rides worse, more bounce in the front end no matter how many careful adjustments and subsequent wheel well measurements I make to the damn WDH. It's not terrible, just the santa fe actually felt more planted on the road up front.

You should be more than fine with that Hemi Durango.