My girlfriend is looking for a new vehicle since thieves took her last car. She wants a 5.9L Durango and I was wondering if it would work to pull my Jeep? The heep only has a ford 8.8 rear, dana 44 front, 4.2L, 35" tires so it isnt too heavy. Just looking to do some short trips (3-4 hours each way). I know it would need a tranny cooler but other wise would it work?

I think you'll be miserable. Buddy of mine has one & uses it for a 5,000lb trailer. Not much issue with power, but he gets pushed all over the road & was even in one accident that was directly attributed to his having marginal suspension.

TEX

If your willing to drive something that gets 10MPG, get a real truck. :flipoff2:

my durango with the 5.9 gets 15+ I've pulled a yota on a trailer, and it pulled it, but like tex said, the trailer wasn't far from pushing me around. flat towing might be a little better.

Go for it, but call me first, and let me know you'll be on the road, so I can stay home, and stay safe.
Scott

Go for it, but call me first, and let me know you'll be on the road, so I can stay home, and stay safe.
Scott

Well since he is in Mn and you are in Ca, and he is planning 3-4 hr trips, I doubt you have to worry. Unless the Durango causes a nuclear explosion that destroys the entire western US from towing too much.

And although I don't post to every single thread that a 3/4 ton is minumum for towing; you are not going to be really happy. The 5.9/46RE and 3.92s will tow okay power wise. The 46RE will heat up, be sure to lock it out of OD so the t/c will lock up in third.

Brake and handling wise, my own experiences with the 5.9 Durango have suggested it is not the best towing rig on the market. My Ram 1500 did much better. I think a W/D hitch and some upgraded brakes may help-out but the rear suspension is soft.

An Expedition or Tahoe would be a better choice in a similar vehicle, and 3/4 ton Suburban better yet. A heavy duty half (like a Chevy 1500 HD or F-150 7700) seem like a good compromise if she is willing to do a pickup.

In a perfect world everyone who towed a single vehicle trailer would drive a 3500 CTD/6spd SRW or F-350 PSD and everyone with a two rig hauler or camper would have a dually, but your G/F MAY not want to drive that around every day.

Only reason I emphasize 3/4 ton for towing is because Ive towed with less and was never "comfortable" with it. Flat towed, and trailer towed, didnt like it at all. Its just my opinion.
Scott

I've been towing my TJ (D44s F/R and 35s) for a year now. Trips are 2.5-4 hrs each way.. Only issue I have is MPG.. Mine is the R/T version... It has plenty of power when I want it. A trailer with Brakes and a GOOD brake controler keep the trailer from pushing me..

Now I wouldn't recommend going out and Buying a 5.9 Durango if all you want to do is Tow.. But if you have one and it can tow your Jeep on a trailer, just make sure you have the right equipment.

Brother had a 5.9 Durango. Towed a 16' trailer with 4 quads on it from Fort Worth, TX to Durango, CO and got ... surprise ... 10 mpg. That's not a whole lot of weight to cause the mileage to be that bad either. He told me he wasn't happy with the way it towed either, same comments as are being made here, truck too small. The trailer pushed the truck around and it also caused the rear to really squat when properly loaded.

IMHO, the Durango doesn't make a great tow vehicle for the followin reasons....

1) mushy rear suspension geared for ride rather than utility
2) 116" WB is marginal
3) brakes (gag they suck stock)

IMHO, the Durango doesn't make a great tow vehicle for the followin reasons....

1) mushy rear suspension geared for ride rather than utility



I think this may be the biggest culprit here. They seem overly soft for towing duty.

TEX