Choosing A Camper Size For Your Dodge Durango

The Dodge Durango is a powerful SUV with an impressive towing capacity. With three different engine options, the Durango can tow a variety of loads, from small campers to large trailers. The 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine can tow up to 6,200 pounds, making it suitable for most fully loaded campers. For heavier campers, the 5.7L HEMI V8 engine can tow up to 7,400 pounds, and the 6.4L HEMI V8 engine can tow up to an impressive 8,700 pounds. So, when it comes to towing a camper, the Dodge Durango has you covered.

The Dodge Durango's three engine options

The Dodge Durango has three engine options: a 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine, a 5.7L HEMI V8 engine, and a 6.4L HEMI V8 engine.

The 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine is the base engine option for the Dodge Durango. It delivers 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, resulting in a towing capacity of up to 6,200 pounds. This engine is known for its balance between power and efficiency, making it a suitable option for those who want a combination of performance and fuel economy.

The 5.7L HEMI V8 engine is an upgrade option for the Durango. It offers 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, increasing the towing capacity to up to 7,400 pounds. This engine provides a significant boost in towing capability while still maintaining decent fuel efficiency. It is a good choice for those who need to tow heavier loads without compromising too much on fuel consumption.

The 6.4L HEMI V8 engine is the most powerful engine option available for the Dodge Durango. With 475 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, it can tow an impressive load of up to 8,700 pounds. This engine is designed with both performance and towing capability in mind, making it ideal for those who need to tow heavy trailers or campers. The 6.4L HEMI V8 engine's high-performance and impressive towing capacity make it a top choice for those who require exceptional power and hauling ability.

In addition to these three engine options, the Dodge Durango also offers a limited-edition SRT Hellcat model, which features a supercharged 6.2L HEMI V8 engine. This engine produces an astonishing 710 horsepower and 645 pound-feet of torque, making the SRT Hellcat the quickest standard 3-row SUV in its class. With a top speed of 180 mph and a towing capacity of 8,700 pounds, the SRT Hellcat is designed for driving enthusiasts who crave extreme performance and power.

Camper weight and engine requirements

The towing capacity of your Dodge Durango depends on its engine and configuration. Here is a breakdown of the camper weight and engine requirements for the 2024 Dodge Durango:

6L Pentastar V6 Engine

The 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine is the standard option for the Durango. It delivers 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, enabling the SUV to tow up to 6,200 pounds. This capacity is suitable for towing campers that weigh less than 6,200 pounds.

7L HEMI V8 Engine

If you opt for the 5.7L HEMI V8 engine, your towing capacity will increase. With this engine, the Durango can tow up to 7,200 pounds with all-wheel drive (AWD) and 7,400 pounds with rear-wheel drive (RWD). This engine option is suitable for towing campers that weigh between 6,200 and 7,400 pounds.

4L HEMI V8 Engine

For even greater towing capacity, the 6.4L HEMI V8 engine allows the Durango to reach its maximum towing capacity of 8,700 pounds. This engine option is suitable for towing campers that weigh up to 8,700 pounds.

It's important to note that the actual towing capacity may vary based on other factors such as additional equipment, passengers, and cargo weight. Always refer to the specific specifications of your Dodge Durango and consult a dealer for detailed information.

Towing capacity by trim level

The towing capacity of a Dodge Durango depends on the trim level and engine type. Here is a breakdown of the towing capacity for each trim level:

Dodge Durango SXT

The SXT is the base trim of the Dodge Durango. It is equipped with a 3.6-liter V-6 engine that produces 295 horsepower. The SXT has a maximum towing capacity of 6,200 pounds when properly equipped.

Dodge Durango GT

The Dodge Durango GT also features the 3.6-liter V-6 engine, delivering the same 295 horsepower as the SXT. The GT has the same towing capacity as the SXT, capable of towing up to 6,200 pounds when properly equipped.

Dodge Durango R/T

The R/T trim level introduces a more powerful 5.7-liter V-8 engine, generating 360 horsepower. The R/T has a maximum towing capacity of 7,400 pounds when properly equipped. However, with the available 6.4-liter V-8 engine option, the R/T can tow up to 8,700 pounds.

Dodge Durango SRT

The Durango SRT 392 AWD, the range-topping trim of the main Durango lineup, is equipped with a high-output 6.4-liter V-8 engine producing 475 horsepower. The SRT has a maximum towing capacity of 8,700 pounds when properly equipped.

Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat

The Durango SRT Hellcat is the most powerful trim level, with a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 engine that delivers an impressive 710 horsepower. Despite its performance focus, the SRT Hellcat still offers a maximum towing capacity of 8,700 pounds when properly equipped.

The Durango's trailer-tow package

The Durango is one of the best-in-class models for towing. Its Trailer-Tow and Skid Plate package is a special equipment pack that makes towing a camper more convenient and efficient.

The Trailer-Tow package includes:

• Skid plates to help protect your fuel tank, underbody, and transfer case
• A trailer brake control
• Wiring harnesses (7 and 4-pin configurations)
• A class IV receiver hitch
• A rear load-levelling suspension

The Trailer-Tow package is not strictly necessary for towing a camper with a Dodge Durango. However, it does make the process more convenient.

The pros and cons of the Durango's unibody construction

The Dodge Durango has been a unibody vehicle since its 2011 redesign, and this includes the 2021, 2023, and 2024 models. Let's take a look at some of the pros and cons of this unibody construction.

Pros

• Unibody vehicles are generally lighter, which makes them more fuel-efficient.
• They are more rigid, meaning they flex and twist less than a body-on-frame vehicle.
• They sit lower to the ground, which makes them more stable and improves handling.
• The Durango's unibody construction gives it excellent drivability. It handles more like a car than a truck, giving it the best of both worlds: the towing power of a truck with the handling of a car.
• The unibody construction also contributes to the vehicle's speed, with superior torque and horsepower.
• The unibody design means the Durango sits lower than its competitors, making it more convenient for towing as most camper hitches have a two-inch drop as standard.

Cons

• Unibody vehicles typically have lower towing and hauling capacities than body-on-frame vehicles.
• The unibody construction can translate more of the push and pull of a trailer to the chassis, which the driver and passengers may feel. However, with some practice, drivers can gain confidence when towing a loaded trailer with the Durango.
• Towing will have some effect on the Durango's gas mileage, and there are other vehicles in its class that manage the same loads with better fuel efficiency.

Frequently asked questions