Towing with 2014 Durango/Pentastar 3.6L, Your opinions Please

[Center87]

Hi Everyone,

I am currently using a 2004 durango hemi to tow my 2005 Sante with dhm trailer/ surge brakes. I need to get something with better gas mileage, young kids, and all the fuel it uses is crap driving them around everywhere, haha. I know the 2014 will be good on the flat grounds but once a year I will need to tow the boat from the Okanagon to Vancouver 5 hours, traveling over steep terrain. I dont mind going slow but is this a mistake? Durango with a v-6 is rated for towing 6200 lbs, 290hp, 260 ft torque. I believe the 2005 sante with trailer weighs around 5200lbs.

Thanks for your help !
Danny

[HS]

Yeah, the fuel vs tow rating trade off is tough. Here's the specs from our last tow rig, a 2000 Toyota Land Cruiser with 4.7 V8 engine...towing across the cascades on I 90 from Sammamish, WA to Eastern WA, I found it lacking in the mountains, especially loaded down with vacation gear, etc. It towed really well in the flats, by the way, it was a pretty heavy vehicle...It had: Horsepower: 230 hp @ 4800 rpm Torque: 320 ft-lbs. @ 3600 rpm So going over the passes we'd chug along at 40 with the gearshift selector in "2", just because it was so painful to try to maintain 60 on the uphill grade -- it also had a somewhat shorter wheelbase, so the dips in the road got a little bouncy with the trailer. It was rated for 6500 lbs towing, I forget the GCVW rating -- which is very important to factor into your decision making

This was before we got our current rig (2011 Toyota Sequoia with 5.7 v8) which has been a big step up in power and comfort, rated for 7800 lbs I think.

[beach]

http://www.wk2jeeps.com/engine/3.6_l...r_graph_01.jpg

For a v6, it actually has a flat torque curve. 2014 durango is going to weigh almost as much as a 2000 landcruiser, but you're going to have 60 less ft-lb of torque and a higher axle ratio(that's bad). On the positive, the new 8 speed will make it easier to stay at the best rpm for max torque.

[Miljack]

We have a Durango R/T '12 model, and tow a 230 with it occasionally and it tows great! I really wanted the V6 when we purchased this vehicle, but the '12 models had the 5 sp trans, and with the V6 and available gearing, it was sluggish. I haven't had the chance to test drive the new version w/8spd, but have read that it completely changes the experience.
My wife averages about 16mpg in her commuting, and we have gotten around 19-20 on the highway (I am not a 65 mph cruiser!). Towing a 200 mile each way boat camping trip, (fully loaded vehicle w/camping gear) we got around 12 mph cruising the speed limit. Towing characteristics are very good with the towing package from Dodge which includes hydraulic auto leveling rear suspension. My boat on the trailer is equal to 80% of the rated 7400 # for the V8 Durango.

Our previous boat/trailer (4000#) was similar in weight to your boat, and we would tow it locally w a Honda Pilot, and THAT was a different story! Pilot was rated @ 4500, but the old boat on a single was ALL that Pilot would ever want to see. Great vehicle, but not even close in towing to the D. Also only averaged 17mpg commute/19-20hwy.

[bsurfin]

The pentastar is a great engine and it will tow with no problem especially with the new trans. Good luck with it and post some pictures when you have a chance.

[mf01]

My wife has a 2012 Grand Cherokee with the 3.6l. While I was breaking in my new truck this summer, I towed a couple of weekends with it. The trips were not far, about 40 miles round trip. I live in a hilly area and it did fine. It has the older 5-speed and the new 8-speed is probably a ton better. Only negative thing about it was visibility, since I came from a truck. Since you're use to an SUV, it wouldn't be much of a change.

BTW - I have a 94 Sport which is probably 300lbs+ lighter on a single axle trailer.

[SANTE230OH]

We have had two two AWD Durango's with the 3.6L 2012 and 2013. I have towed our previous Nautique 211 with and our current 230. This engine dous a great job. I live in Ohio andd we drove up to Lake George, NY (500 miles each way towing the 211 without an issue. I also towed the 230 to Norris Lake in Tennessee this year (450 miles each way). Gas milleage is great we get 13.5 towing the boat. My wife averages 23 - 24 during the week. Great all arround SUV.

[azeus17]

We have a '14 Grand Cherokee with the 3.6l. Have not had a chance to tow with it yet, but the 8 speed trans is very nice. We get about 24 on the highway doing 80 and about 20ish around town.

[Zach@n3]

So I drove a 3.6 Ram last night for giggles. You really cant tell the difference in drivability vs my hemi until you really start to tromp it down. The 8 speed really makes the low speed normal acceleration a breeze.

[Center87]

Made the Purchase

So I drove a 3.6 Ram last night for giggles. You really cant tell the difference in drivability vs my hemi until you really start to tromp it down. The 8 speed really makes the low speed normal acceleration a breeze.

Well I put a deposit on a new 2014 Durango citadel with 3.6 pentastar, should arrive in 8 weeks , I won't be towing until summer I will let everyone know if I made a mistake or not, haha.

Danny

[Zach@n3]

Citadel Durango is one luxurious vehicle for sure. I assume the 8 speed will be behind that bad boy in the 14 model year? I have been toying with the idea of trading my truck while it still has "low miles" as opposed to a year from now when it will be north of 70k miles. Probably see a big drop in trade value.

[Sullivan]

I just took delivery of our 2014 Ram 3500 Dually. It was seven weeks from the time of order to delivery. The last week gets very long! Congrats on the new Durango. I'm eager to see some pictures. This might be the wife's next SUV.

[Zach@n3]

I think that dually may be a little over kill for the 200