Will a 2005 dodge dakota tow a 69 road runner on a trailer without much effort ? its a stick 6 spd 4.7 with towing package. im in pa
= hills

I towed a 68 Dart around with my 92 Dakota V6 5-speed for years...

road runner is about 4200

These guys seem to have good results.

http://www.dakotaforumz.com/showthread.php?t=1645

Gooseneck trailers towed by Dakota's

same engine, trans, and rear end as a Ram 1500. as long as your tongue weight isn't so high that you max out the springs of the Dakota, you should be just fine.

Not a newer model like you have, but my 04 Dakota has been used to tow around club cab Dakotas on flatbed, open trailers without any problem.

caveat: flat ground, didn't set any land speed records, good weather, dry roads, etc.

Towed my 71 demon on a heavy u haul trailer with my 03 quad cab 4.7 auto. No problem power wise and it felt good with the longer quad cab but no hills it's flat here in IL.

More importantly, will it be able to stop? I had a recent issue pulling a bobcat on a crappy rental trailer that blew a tire. It pushed my 3/4 ton 4x4 quad cab Ram completely around before hitting the median. I stopped facing the opposite direction. Fortunately no one was hurt and my truck was still intact. A lot of vehicles will pull a trailer but they need to do more than just pull. They also need to be able to stop and maneuver with all the weight pushing them. I'm not sure about a Dakota. It may not be an issue pulling with it. I am sure there are folks here that know much more than me who can give you advice on that. I would recommend your trailer have really good trailer brakes.

So, what is the rated capacity of your 05 Dakota with a trailer towing package?
Figure the Road runner at 4200, add in the 1500 trailer, is the capacity over the 5700? Trailer has good, functioning brakes, right? Is this going to be a weekly deal, or once a month for a coupe months a year?

I've been in those PA hills, the old extended cab 74 D 300 with a 440 and 66 gal of fuel (loaded, the truck weighed in at a little under 6600 lbs) pulling my tandem axle open trailer with good brakes proved, to be at its limits one day coming down one of those hills with 3 runaway truck lanes, when I was hauling a 62 Chrysler 300 F (listed as 4600 lbs). Having went through that experience, I wouldn't want to do that again, in anything less then that old D 300 or something designed to tow way more then the normal load. Pulling a trailer is 98% business as usual, 1% a huge thrill ride not to be forgotten, and, if you haul long enough, that 1% that your happy to have survived. If you ever experience either of those last 2%, you view trailer towing from a different perspective. Gene

It will do it, but it wont like it.

Check the official towing rating of that truck if your exceeding it and have an accident your insurance company will not like it either, and may not cover the loss.

Having owned a 1960 300F I think I would like to see one of those 62 300Fs, do you have any pictures?
Bryce

I think the Dakota I had was rated for 6500-7000 lbs total trailer weight, if equipped with towing package to include brake controller. Came wired from factory for a big trailer with brakes

RE: towing with the Dak

Sure it will do it, you'll just have to go slow and careful.

To Telvis: ever hear of trailer brakes?

I've towed a lot with my '64Dog half-ton and it is a handful with a trailer with a 4000 lb car on it. Trailer brakes are a must, and I end up running 70psi tire pressure to keep the rear end from swinging so much. I end up towing around 55mph. I've towed over Wolf Creek Pass and over Vail Pass, as well as flatland towing. It isn't easy but can be done, especially if you're only going to do it once.

If you're towing on a regular basis you need a 3/4 ton truck for sure.

R.

...there's always going to be those who will argue that you need a truck so big for towing, that you don't even need to use a trailer.