I have a 2005 Dodge Dakota Quad cab with a 4.7 V8 and automatic transmission. I have been trying to pull a 28 ft. travel trailer weighing 5,000 lbs wet and loaded. The truck's transmission and engine both have fits trying to pull it even though my truck is rated to tow 7100 lbs. The dealership has looked at it several times and has not been able to repair it. They originally thought it needed an eprom update (flash) but then they said they were wrong. The truck on has 16,750 miles on it and gets 17 highway but only 6.5 mpg when pulling the camper. The engine sounds like a jet taking off every 60 seconds and the transmission surges rapidly through the gears. Any suggestions? The truck was purchased brand new with an optional towing package. I also purchased the additional extended warranty. The transmission goes into neutral while towing between 65 and 70 mph. It did this twice. The engine and transmission are stock. I permanently parked the truck in August 2006 and pursued an Arkansas Lemon Law case. I also went out and purchased a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado crew cab with 5.3 V8 and automatic transmission. It pulls the camper with no problem.
Meanwhile I am now exercising my right to sue in court since I lost in arbitration (funded by Daimler Chrysler). Who would have guessed that I would lose even after the rep for the dealership said in the arbitration hearing there was nothing that could be done to fix the vehicle and added that I never should had been sold the truck. I have heard over two dozen towing complaints about the Dodge Ram 1500 but none so far on the dakota because everybody I ask at the pumps about their towing experiences said they never bought the truck to tow with because it is "too small to tow". Anybody know of an expert on the Dodge Dakota that could give me some insight on this truck. The only off the record comment that I could get from a DC mechanic was Dodge never intended the truck to be purchased for serious towing and that informally mechanics and service writers have been told to placate owners and encourage them to buy a larger Dodge truck. Any help would be appreciated.
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I have a 2005 Dodge Dakota Quad cab with a 4.7 V8 and automatic transmission. I have been trying to pull a 28 ft. travel trailer weighing 5,000 lbs wet and loaded. The truck's transmission and engine both have fits trying to pull it even though my truck is rated to tow 7100 lbs. The dealership has looked at it several times and has not been able to repair it. They originally thought it needed an eprom update (flash) but then they said they were wrong. The truck on has 16,750 miles on it and gets 17 highway but only 6.5 mpg when pulling the camper. The engine sounds like a jet taking off every 60 seconds and the transmission surges rapidly through the gears. Any suggestions? The truck was purchased brand new with an optional towing package. I also purchased the additional extended warranty. The transmission goes into neutral while towing between 65 and 70 mph. It did this twice. The engine and transmission are stock. I permanently parked the truck in August 2006 and pursued an Arkansas Lemon Law case. I also went out and purchased a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado crew cab with 5.3 V8 and automatic transmission. It pulls the camper with no problem.
Meanwhile I am now exercising my right to sue in court since I lost in arbitration (funded by Daimler Chrysler). Who would have guessed that I would lose even after the rep for the dealership said in the arbitration hearing there was nothing that could be done to fix the vehicle and added that I never should had been sold the truck. I have heard over two dozen towing complaints about the Dodge Ram 1500 but none so far on the dakota because everybody I ask at the pumps about their towing experiences said they never bought the truck to tow with because it is "too small to tow". Anybody know of an expert on the Dodge Dakota that could give me some insight on this truck. The only off the record comment that I could get from a DC mechanic was Dodge never intended the truck to be purchased for serious towing and that informally mechanics and service writers have been told to placate owners and encourage them to buy a larger Dodge truck. Any help would be appreciated.
- michaellrar, Batesville, AR, US