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Old 08-26-2012, 08:01 PM   #1
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Default 2008 durango tow vehicle

Anyone using a durango with a hemi and 355 gears for a tow vehicle? Want to know if the Fun Finder 245 might be a bit much for it. Its in the tow limits but nervous. Input please
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Old 08-27-2012, 07:27 PM   #2
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It should be an OK tow, but, the 3.55 gears are going to kill you on gas mileage. The Hemi has gobs of power, but, those 3.55 gears are designed for the best fuel mileage, around town, not when towing. You'll need more rev's from the engine to get the towed weight moving and keep it moving than you would with 3.73 or better gearing. The "most effective" rear end gearing falls in the 3.73 to 4.10 range. You are also a little on the "short" side (wheelbase) for that length, but, slow and easy with a good WD hitch with built in sway control should help tame the beast. I towed a 210WBS with a Jeep Hemi Commander and have a friend that tows a 244RBS with an identical Jeep Hemi Commander. The advantage to the Jeep is the 3.73 rear end, but, the wheel base is similar.



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Old 08-28-2012, 06:37 PM   #3
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Default durango and the 245

Thanks for the input. Went to the factory today and the new fun finders look great. They felt the durango could handle the 245 with a weight hitch. I'll probably go unloaded with water but have two bikes at 1500 total lbs. That makes it a 4600lb trailor plus 1500 or 6000lbs and 24 ft trailor. I want safty not the biggest dog.
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Old 08-29-2012, 07:33 AM   #4
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You will be fine as long as you stay within the tow weight limits put out by the vehicle mfgr.

I had one dealership (didn't buy from them) tell me my tow unit could handle the Raptor toy hauler I looked at and they wanted to sell me. They said my unit would pull it OK ~ even pulled out charts to support their position.

Well, yes my tow vehicle with it's gearing would pull the Raptor 26' toy hauler................as long as it was EMPTY = no toys, no personal items, no propane, no water, no food, no battery, etc.

The salesperson who was trying to be my new best friend really wanted to get a commission check.

Not saying every sales person is that way, but it's your decision if they are truthful or not. Be knowledgable about your vehicles' towing limits.

Just my 2 cents.
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Old 08-29-2012, 03:04 PM   #5
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The weight should be fine (~6,000 lbs), but, of concern would be how that weight is distributed... Toy Haulers are notorious for bad handling when loaded to the max (as you are talking - two bikes at 1500-1600 lbs). That weight winds up behind the axles, causing a serious unloading of the tongue's weight. The tongue's weight bearing down on the tow vehicle is what makes them stable and ideally, your tongue weight should be 11 (dead minimum IMHO) to 15% of the total trailer weight. That is going to be tough to do, in my book, with that setup and two bikes. A lot of toy haulers will put the fresh water tank ahead of the axles and that is so that you can carry a full load of water to offset the added "toy weight" behind the axles...

Just watch your loading...with a toy hauler, you can be well under your maximum tow numbers, but, have a combination that is extremely difficult to tow.



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Old 04-05-2013, 05:58 PM   #6
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I have a Durango 2005 with Hemi. We tow a 230DS that weighs about 4000 but is front heavy because of the front kitchen and bath, two 6V batteries. But we have no issues at all. I am more than happy with the way it tows. Someday I may put gas shocks in the back but no sag or problems with the tongue

How do I know if mine is 2.55 or 3.73? We use a WDH as on all of our rvs we have had and no sway whatsoever. The Durango Hemi can tow upwards of 8800lbs.
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Old 04-05-2013, 06:14 PM   #7
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qtla9111

You can get your gear ratio from the factory or maybe your dealer. Give them your vehicles VIN number.

You can request a 'factory build sheet' direct from the factory at no charge. Email their customer service and request one. That is what I did.
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Old 04-05-2013, 06:27 PM   #8
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Default 355 gears

I have the 355 and they tell me 7600 max. The 373 is 8900lbs. The dealer can give you yours. I thought having the tow pack I was set with 8900 but not the case. I'm now looking at the 200 so it should not be an issue. Glad to hear yours works well and let me know if you have 355's.
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Old 04-06-2013, 07:18 AM   #9
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I have the 3.55 gear ratio with factory tow package and do fine pulling the XT276 loaded. It's mostly flat travel but have been in the Black Hills of SD where lower gears would have been better but did OK.
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Old 06-25-2013, 12:36 AM   #10
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I have a durango with a hemi and 355 gears for a tow vehicle and no problem at all.
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Old 06-25-2013, 07:07 AM   #11
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Don't know about others with a Hemi ..... but I have been getting a high of just over 11 mpg to a low of 9 mpg towing my loaded XT 276 and usually run 65-75 mph...depending on the post speed limits.
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