TOWING 6500lbs WITH A DURANGO R/T! HOW GOOD IS IT?

We towed my Hellcat Redeye to the racetrack with my 2020 Dodge Durango R/T and at almost 6500lbs combined between the car and trailer I give you my thoughts on the towing capabilities of the Dodge Durango.

[@TheCondoInRedondo]

Mystery solved with respect to the auto-leveling suspension. Short version: TOO MUCH TONGUE WEIGHT Here's the whole story and how I came to learn the whole story today. It explains the dip in the rear end. It also explains why you experienced sway on the highway. Long version: I spoke to an expert who works at Jefferson North (the plant that builds Durango and Grand Cherokee). He also owns a Durango and his wife has a Grand Cherokee that they flatbed tow behind the Durango. He's an engineering manager stationed at the nearby MOBIS facility that feeds the line at Jefferson North. Despite working at the MOBIS facility, my guy is FCA, not MOBIS. (Sidebar: How do I know this guy? He's a customer of mine. I had no idea what he did for a living until 2018 when I mentioned to him that I had just test-driven a few SUVs. He then revealed who he was and he talked me into getting a Durango R/T. He also pulled some strings to get my Durango "Customer Sat" audited before it got shipped.) He says the auto-leveling rear suspension is "only" rated for a tongue weight of a few hundred pounds. That's sufficient when towing an empty flat-bed trailer or something like a small teardrop camper. But the tongue weight when towing a boat or an Airstream or when flat-bedding a 4600-pound Charger Hellcat on a 2000 pound trailer exceeds the Durango's tongue weight limit and then you're supposed to use a "load distribution hitch" rather than a simple ball-mount. The trunnion bars of a load distribution hitch rock the Durango's ass upwards (nose downwards) when tensioned. This shifts a portion of the tongue weight to the front axle. When you use a simple "dumb hitch", excessive tongue weight and/or excessive speed cause sway, which is what you reported experiencing. So it sounds like "excessive tongue weight" matches the situation in this video. If you go back to the 32 second point of this video (sure enough) there are no trunnion bars visible, like you'd see with a load-distribution hitch. All I can make out are the trailer's manual jack and the hydraulic brake actuator and the safety chains. There's no anti-sway arm, either. So (best I can tell from this video) it appears as though you've used a "dumb hitch". He says that there are plenty of brands of "load distribution hitch" out there. But if you insist upon driving at 65 MPH when towing, the Durango's built-in stability control system will be overloaded. It uses the ABS brakes to counter "yaw". But the Durango's stability control can only do so much when the gross weight of the towed load is greater than the weight of the Durango. For heavy tongue weight loads, you need to get one of the more expensive load distribution hitches that can accept anti-sway sleeves. My friend uses a pair of the Husky brand "friction sway control". These are 100% mechanical. They're not powered. They operate independent of the trunnion bars. One gizmo (you get a pair) attaches to each side of the trailer's "A" frame. You use these when highway towing. They're not meant for sharp turns, such as when you're maneuvering the trailer. Nor do you need them for city/town towing at modest speeds.

[@SauerHorsepower]

Well, that is a very detailed write-up. Thanks for all the info!

[@TheCondoInRedondo]

@@SauerHorsepower Sorry if it appears like I'm trying to steal your thunder. Wasn't my goal. Feel free to delete my post or (if you prefer that I delete the post) just let me know. Your channel is great and it's important that you keep on performing these experiments for the benefit of the rest of us, myself included. Had it not been for this video, I'd not have searched for the answer. Your observation about the rear-end sag was honest and it deserved an answer. It's just dumb luck that I happen to know someone who makes Durangos and Grand Cherokees for a living.

[@SauerHorsepower]

It's all good! I will never claim to have all the answers and I am willing to learn. I really do appreciate the info you provided and I am sure any other individuals watching this video will as well. Thanks again for providing that detailed information! I am actually going to pin your comment so it is easier for people to find.

[@S8ER]

@@SauerHorsepower thank you and the above @TheCondoInRedondo for this detail. I am towing a 20ft enclosed with my Hellcat Durango and this information was very useful. I picked up a tongue weight scale and started looking into a weight distribution setup because I noticed the drop and didn’t expect it to be so much. Good info 🍻

[@garynorton4647]

@@SauerHorsepower We are all in learning mode. Hopefully we learn from each other. Everyone is in a different stage of towing so we learn from experience. Sometimes we hear things that seem right but are wrong, so we learn. It is like telling someone who has never been on snow, they are sliding down hill, and we say do not lock your brakes. They are screaming What?! We all start at the beginning sometime, so we have to give everybody room to learn. Your video was great.

[@StacieS225]

Weight distribution hitch with sway control would help keep your back end from sagging and prevent sway. Tongue weight is important as well.

[@rodneynoble1147]

To make the experience better, you may want to invest in a weight distribution hitch, and sway control hitch. Harbor Freight had the set up for around $200, depending on your location. This helped, currently have a 3017 Durango with 3.6, considering the upgrade to a 5.7. We haul a camp trailer, loaded comes in at 4500 pounds

[@alkalineph9446]

Have you towed with your 3.6, if so what was your experience?

[@alialabbas1982]

I like that you showed us everything in details 👍🏻

[@SauerHorsepower]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@williammoyers6513]

Haul wants to talk to you. Dodge knew they were good , the durango is a BEAST !! Gotta luv a DODGE😊

[@HEMIdouglas]

To balance distribution of load a compensating hitch can be installed and air suspension for back wheels in addition a sway bar can reinstall between trailer and vehicle to correct crazy movements.

[@richardmichael59]

U Hauls looking for you....the trailers max speed is 55. Lol. Doing over 70 mph with no equalizer, sway control, with a well used U Haul, is dangerous, but, you made it. This time.

[@Mills-uy6ip]

The squat measurement is supposed to be taken while the suv and trailer are at a leveled ground.

[@SirManny4]

Great video. I love my 18 R/T when it has had to tow my various sports cars and trailers over the years. I think what really would help is a weight distribution hitch. When moving my travel trailer around the yard with my 2500 there is a big difference in handling with and without the weight distribution hitch. So I know a WDH would help with the squat and fix some of the swaying that is experienced when it squats.

[@rfarias33]

That answers all my questions! Awesome review

[@stevengay6289]

Bought a 2013 R/T and hauled my 5200 pound 26 Foot camper that sits high with a weight distribution hitch and it totes the mail down the high way no problem.

[@DSmallMusicisMe]

Is it rear wheel

[@lurereviews5164]

Did you have a drop hitch?

[@CleanClaspCollector]

Just picked up a 2018 R/T AWD in white with tech and tow package and blacktop package. Looks a lot like yours actually. Nice video 👍

[@SauerHorsepower]

Thanks! Nice pick up, enjoy it!

[@blakevansyoc5709]

Do you have an integrated brake controller? I just bought a 2016 rt with a tow package and I can’t find sh*t on brake controllers

[@Bulldog75stp]

Smart idea for the wood spacers.

[@williammoyers6513]

Thank you. Go tell it on the mountain!!😊

[@MrJesses831]

I tow a 7100lb travel trailer with my 2020 RT. I use a weiggt distribution hitch so it's not so much tongue weight.

[@SauerHorsepower]

It would’ve definitely helped me having one in this video.

[@adampecore6917]

I’m considering purchasing an RT for my 7k travel trailer. Do you have the Tow n Go package or does it do okay without? Any info would be appreciated! Thank you

[@MrJesses831]

@@adampecore6917 Yes it has the tow package with electric brake controller

[@adampecore6917]

@@MrJesses831 do you know if you have the 3.92 or the 3.02 gearing?

[@MrJesses831]

@@adampecore6917 not sure

[@WalkerTexasplumber]

Is that a tow n go Durango ?? Those are good for about 8,500 lbs

[@stevenmabry9834]

I think the self-leveling comes with the T&G, not factor towing

[@Stclairm1]

You were rolling. I never go over about 63 with a WD hitch on our travel trailer, although wind effects them a lot more. Thinking about one of these and the Nissan Titan SV. I though these had load leveling too. You needed a WD hitch set up, but it's Uhaul.

[@SauerHorsepower]

The Durango's do have load leveling.... not sure why mine was not activated for this video... something I need to look in to.

[@Stclairm1]

Sauer Horsepower you probably had way too much tongue weight. I suspect it has a limit

[@SauerHorsepower]

@@Stclairm1 probably... I will not be using the Durango to tow that much weight for much longer. I am getting a 2500 Cummins soon to handle my towing duties.

[@deanparris9595]

All the weight of the tow vehicle is on the hitch. If the trailer was longer u could get the weight off the tongue of trailer. Weight distribution is the key.

[@dbanks8995]

What & how ? Does the tow brake work on a Durango?

[@charlesquigley1358]

Any difference between the Crew and the R/T? I have the same engine size.

[@Hello_its_me_mario]

Tbh. 70 mph is fast for towing.

[@SauerHorsepower]

Yea a bit, just trying to not get run over by the other mad people on the highway.

[@vasilecrecea8841]

You should use weight distribution hitch body

[@conehgr]

Weight distribution hitch would help

[@adampecore6917]

Nice video. I’m considering an RT for Touring my travel trailer. I know there’s a regular tow package and then there’s a Tow n Go package which changes the rear and gearing. Anyone towing a travel trailer weighing 6500-7k w/o the Tow n Go? Does it do okay without? Looking to trade the tram for something with more seating for the family, but I still need to tow Thank you ahead of time for info!

[@1855Cru]

do you have the factory tow package? If so it should have self leveling rear suspension. Maybe it only levels when running?

[@SauerHorsepower]

We do have that package, not sure why the suspension didn’t level in this case... maybe there is a weight limit to it?

[@TheCondoInRedondo]

@@SauerHorsepower I was curious about this as well. I haven't yet tried towing. But I do have the factory tow package and I was told that it doesn't level at the moment you first apply the tongue weight. But it's supposed to auto-level shortly thereafter. Your 2020 would have the integrated trailer brake controller. Did this trailer have electric brakes? If so, can you comment on how well/not well that worked out?

[@SauerHorsepower]

@@TheCondoInRedondo this trailer from uhaul does not have electric brakes, its uses a tension brake system (not sure how to describe it really) ... the part of the video where I filmed the ride height section was after we had been hauling with it the whole day, so if it was going to level it should have done it by then, still not sure why it didnt to be honest.

[@coolsquad7428]

@@SauerHorsepower did u have tow haul mode on because it might be why the self level suspension doesn’t work

[@stevenmabry9834]

@@TheCondoInRedondo I dont think the factory tow package offers self-leveling..Upgrading to the Tow and Go is where the self-leveling and beefed-up rear come-in.

[@RobinPetertoPayPaul]

Thanks for the video. Question, is there any benefit for having two of your tires inflated to 47 lbs and the other two 37 and 38?

[@SauerHorsepower]

When towing heavier loads it’s better to have some extra air in the rear tires for stability and to not stress the sidewalk of the rear tires too much.

[@RobinPetertoPayPaul]

@@SauerHorsepower Got it! Thanks for getting back to me.

[@SauerHorsepower]

No problem!

[@Brett_B73]

Lets see a video of your Redeye running that 10.13...

[@SauerHorsepower]

Thursday 3pm

[@Brett_B73]

@@SauerHorsepower Was there a back seat in your car when you ran that 10.13? I am aware that there is a rear seat delete option.

[@SauerHorsepower]

My car has the rear seat delete option.

[@oscarjimenez5115]

Was it in 2 low

[@johanelperez]

Don't know laugh but I wouldn't know but I'm assuming a v6 can't tow a car..well my camaro to the track...I feel like I need a ram 1500. But the durango feels more like universal please someone when ever yah can v6 vs v8 towing on the durango

[@toddlee302]

You need a drop hitch... My custom car hauler required a 6" drop with a Citadel w/5.7lit... Your vehicle shouldn't squat that much... With the addition of a drop hitch and centering the weight on the trailer tires will get rid of you handling issues. Did a 180 for my towing... Just info.. There are several you tube videos on drop hitch and measurements for proper towing. I can easily drive like I would without the trailer relative to handling...

[@Amishcrawler]

100% correct. I have a 2012 Durango R/T and I tow my wrangler TJ behind it (6200# total jeep& trailer). First time I squatted bad with my 2” drop hitch. Got a lot of vibrations too. I went to a 4” and it fixed the issue.

[@LamontBoucherville]

Nice challenger

[@SauerHorsepower]

Thank you!

[@coolsquad7428]

Did u use tow haul mode if not that’s probably why there was alot of squat

[@srtbone783]

Not bad for the weight you was pulling!

[@SauerHorsepower]

It did the job I asked it to do!

[@henryortega6790]

Make another video about towing

[@SauerHorsepower]

Unfortunately we no longer have the Durango. Although I will be doing more towing videos with my new truck soon!

[@haloppll]

Does ur rt came with an towing package?

[@SauerHorsepower]

Yes

[@sandybernal7911]

Hi guys ,,, I have a 27 foot long boat ,, and I am thinking of buying a Durango ,, I would prefer a truck but my wife is pregnant and I prefer a more family car like the Durango ,, You think it can tow well my boatwith this car

[@SauerHorsepower]

Depends on the weight of the boat, if you are around 6000-7000lbs you should be fine.

[@sandybernal7911]

actually the problem is not towing it, because I know the car can do it, the problem is to get it off the ramp, that's where the problem is, and if it would damage the car's transmission a lot. the boat weighs 6200

[@SauerHorsepower]

The current 8spd transmissions are really strong and I would not think that to be a weak point when it comes to towing. It’s the same transmission they use in the 1500 trucks. I don’t foresee any problem on a boat ramp at that weight.

[@alexanderwademd]

@@SauerHorsepower If "boat weighs 6200" really means "boat on trailer soaking wet with ice in the coolers weighs 6200" then he's fine. 27 foot boat could be a lot of different kinds of boat. Cabin cruiser? Gonna need more than a Durango. Just sayin'

[@stevenmabry9834]

@@SauerHorsepower The weight limit with the Tow and Go package is 8700lbs...That is the most any of the Durangos can handle..Be careful not to confuse the T&G package with the factory towing package which max load towing is significantly less....The T&G package is a great package for the money ....Individually, the included items would be around 12K, with the package, under 5K.

[@soldiersunstoppable3365]

My tow and go can tow this easy

[@williammoyers6513]

Yayyy!! I got me a DODGE, lets see if i van KILL it for a thousand LIKES!! Daddy wont mind...😂

[@williammoyers6513]

Just please stoo talking like you are a PRO.😅

[@williammoyers6513]

You gotta know what you doing? Lol you DONT😅