Newbie: 2017 Dodge Durango RT with FC 25'FB?

[tcblue13]

We are looking at getting 2017 Dodge Durango v8 RT with a FC 25'FB...

Here is the info I can dig up:

Durango:

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs): 720
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs): 7200
Maximum Trailering Capacity (lbs): 7200
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs): 1080
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs): 7200

FC 25'FB:

GVWR 7300
UBW 5477
NCC 1823

soooooooo... what does that all mean? Would we go good to go? The other option we are looking at is GMC Yukon SLT but it is a bit too big for our garage so we would rather stay with the Durango if possible.

When speaking to the car dealers they don't give much help besides telling us that max trailer weight is and from reading on here I am coming to understand that it is much more complicated than that!

Thank you all for the help / ideas in advance!

[Countryboy59]

The yukon is too big for the garage but the Durango fits? Most standard garages will fit a full size pickup. Here's my F350 in a 1950s ranch house garage. It clears the door opening by 3" vertically and is 5" shorter than the garage.

I think the trailer is too close to the Durango's towing capacity.

[tcblue13]

Yes, our garage is shorter than normal and the Durango fits by an inch with the trunk open, but the Yukon is 3 inches over that, so I could never have the garage door closed with the trunk open at the same time.

Thank you for the advice!

[Countryboy59]

You can get that Durango set up to tow. You'll need weight distribution equipment. The Hemi has enough power. Be careful with payload, you will probably go a bit over fully loaded.

[tcblue13]

What type of weight distribution equipment? Is that like a blue ox WD hitch? Sorry, I know these questions must seem easy, but it is quite a learning curve trying to figure it all out for the first time when you don't have any background in tvs or even SUVs for that matter! Appreciate it.

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by tcblue13

Yes, our garage is shorter than normal and the Durango fits by an inch with the trunk open, but the Yukon is 3 inches over that, so I could never have the garage door closed with the trunk open at the same time.

Thank you for the advice!

"Trunk"? As in the rear hatch? There's a very simple solution, if that is what you are referring to. Simply make sure the rear hatch is closed before closing the garage door.

[tcblue13]

Originally Posted by overlander63

"Trunk"? As in the rear hatch? There's a very simple solution, if that is what you are referring to. Simply make sure the rear hatch is closed before closing the garage door.

yes, rear hatch. The issue is that we live in Colorado and I have two tiny kids and I don't want to be unloading groceries all winter with both kids having access to the street and having snow blowing in at the same time. I cannot open the trunk of the Yukon while the garage door is down.

[slowmover]

The Durango will be a better choice.

[tcblue13]

Originally Posted by slowmover

The Durango will be a better choice.

Thank you... that is what I a hoping to hear, but I do want to make the best choice, so do you mind telling me why you think so?

[slowmover]

Suspension design, in main. Quality of that design as well. Better solo and towing stability.

It's a Jeep Cherokee with a longer wheelbase; in sheeps clothes, so to speak.

Yukon rides on 2005 reputation. Not bad, but not near as good.

Have some roots in Boulder. Where my late mother grew up, and where she graduated college. Dad was at UofD after war. Some of my first trips with a family car pulling an aluminum trailer like these started up the Boulder Canyon to Grandparents cabin in Nederland. Sadly, none of it as nice as before the 1970s.

Continue your research, and, good luck.

[tcblue13]

Thank you VERY much for the additional info. It is big learning curve at the start. Boulder is still very nice... different, but nice. Every place changes and we are happy to have at least found it now, although it bet is was super special in the 70s :-)

[tcblue13]

bumping for more advice as we plan on purchasing the TV in a couple days! Thanks again.

[dkottum]

Originally Posted by tcblue13

bumping for more advice as we plan on purchasing the TV in a couple days! Thanks again.

Your best bet for advice is from most probably the best Airstream and rv hitch shop in North America. Second generation, over forty years experience, they specialize in setting up tow vehicles that are not trucks. Thousands of them.

http://www.canamrv.ca/towing-expertise/contact/

My bet is they will like the Durango R/T very much for it's stability, power and braking, and advise you what towing equipment and/or hitch work you might need.

[andreasduess]

We tow our 34’ International with a Durango R/T. It’s a great vehicle, conceived during the Daimler Chrysler years. In essence, you’re getting a Mercedes for 2/3 of the money.

As dkottum says above, the crew at CanAm highly recommend the Durango as a tow vehicle. The vehicle is remarkably stable for such a large SUV, the engine more than capable - although I wish that Dodge had access to the Mercedes BluTec engines.

We just spent the summer in Europe, and driving a Land Rover equipped with a diesel V6 that was sipping an average of 6l iters per 100km did make me a bit misty eyed.

[Countryboy59]

Originally Posted by tcblue13

bumping for more advice as we plan on purchasing the TV in a couple days! Thanks again.

Make sure you get a good weight distributing hitch system with the trailer. Unfortunately I'm no expert as I use the EazLift the dealer installed on my Grand Cherokee, then readjusted for my F350. However, we're about to take delivery of a 27' and will probably get a Hensley. The EazLift is easy to use but has "snap over" attachments and chains and a few steps involved. It also has a friction sway device that MUST be used with your setup.

The Hensley is quite heavy so consult a knowledgeable setup person if you consider that for the Durango.

There is lots of do it yourself advice on here but I relied on CanAm to set mine up both times. They are nearby and it made sense to just drive there and setup was relatively inexpensive. I'll have them set up the new one too.

I lived and drove around Boulder in the 90s (learned to fly at Longmont airport!) and drove those canyons pulling a trailer with a 1966 Galaxie 390 V8. I was young and stupid then but never had a close call. Personally I would get a larger tow vehicle but understand your situation. Take it easy while you gain experience and you should be OK. You can upgrade tow vehicles later. If you take it slow on the passes and canyons you will have plenty of company. Just move over for some of the people on here who will come flying up behind you at 70 mph, or let them wait!

[Wayne&Sam]

I tow my 25' with my '12 Durango all the time with no problem. Our 2014 25' FC rear twin weighs 6600 lbs fully loaded for a trip. We use a Reese Dual Cam hitch.