poodlecamper1
Beacon Falls, CT USA
Full Member
Joined: 09/25/2004
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
 Offline
|
We own a 2005 Durango, V8 4.7 3.55
Currently tow (see signature) and are looking to move up.
What do the towing experts on this forum think about the advisibility of towing a Keystone Passport 245 RB?
Length is 27'2", wt. 4591 (Durango tows 6200, only 2 of us so that's ok)
The axles in this RV are 10" further apart than most rv's, we were told this would improve towing ease in general, any ideas on that?
Just looking at this point, all comments good/bad appreciated.
Carol
The Erlingheusers
Carol & Frank
2010 Keystone Passport 245 RB
2009 GMC Sierra 5.4 V8 3.42
|
eric james
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Senior Member
Joined: 07/21/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
If you would get lower gears, I think you would be ok.
I moved up from a TrailCruiser too. It's a great decision. My Passport's dry weight is 5130 and we're loaded (with water) right at 5900-6100 going down the road. That's around 1000 lbs of gear.
Your current towing capacity is 6200lbs. You want to be loaded around 5000 lbs, that doesn't leave a lot of gear. Dropping to 3.92 will bump your towing capacity to 7300 for 4x4. Expect somewhere around $1000 per axle to change gears. 7300 will put you at 5800 lbs. Much better.
I don't think you'll have a problem with the length of the Passport IF you use a Dual Cam sway control or switch completely to an Equal-i-zer. Your Durango has the same wheelbase and power as my old Expedition and I'm towing a 33' Passport around.
I think you're only limited right now by your power with the high gears.
Otherwise, the Passport tows well with the lightweight, and spread axle design.
2009 Keystone Passport UL 290BH
2003 Ford Expedition EB 5.4L/3.73
|
Center Pin
Fort Langley, BC
Senior Member
Joined: 04/15/2009
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
Offline
|
My DW has the same Durango. My biggest concern would be the tranny, IMHO it is the weakest link. I would talk with an expert and see if there are any upgrades that would prevent and premature failure.
Trailer: 07 Tango 299BHS
TV: 2004.5 Dodge 610 CTD 3500 QC 48RE 2wd Laramie SRW, FP Gauge, FASS 95/95, Rhino Lining, Hensley Arrow, Reese Signature Series 5er Hitch, Air Bags & Compressor, Canopy, AL Boat Rack.
Been running B100 home brew June 2008!
|
poodlecamper1
Beacon Falls, CT USA
Full Member
Joined: 09/25/2004
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
Offline
|
To Center Pin,
You mention a concern with the tranny with our Durango---we do have the tow package, wouldn't that cover the tranny? There's a tow/haul button that gets used when we're towing. I'm no mechanic, that's for sure!! Just trying to get info.
Carol
|
kysurveyor
ky
Senior Member
Joined: 02/26/2009
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
Offline
|
I have towed up to a 33 foot TT with the Durango with the Hemi (tow capacity 8950 #). You will be close to tow limit with full gear, etc. The lenght CAN be an issue. When I towed a 24 foot TT with conventional hitch, I had some sway issues, even with weighing at the scales, proper tongue weight, fully inflated tires. I changed to the ProPride hitch-sway gone, and when I moved up to the 33 footer, still no sway. You have the 2005 Durango, so the wheelbase is 119 inches (2003 and earlier had shorter wheelbase) I would be uncomfortable with the LENGTH of the TT. Your weight may be OK, if you stay out of the mountains, and pack light. IMHO
Keith, Suzy two teenagers and a dog
2005 Seneca 35 GS Super C
2009 Surveyor 294
Pro-Pride 3P hitch
2006 Dodge Durango with 5.7 Liter Hemi
|
|
|
RVMusician
Upstate NY
Senior Member
Joined: 06/14/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
We towed a 28' TT, about 5500 lbs. with an '06 Durango. We maintained it very well, changing all fluids at the appropriate times. We were within weight limits for the truck. We used a Reese Dual Cam anti sway setup to tow it. Once we got the hitch set up properly it towed easily without any problems. We took it to Yellowstone NP this summer, about a 6,000 mile trip towing 4,000 miles. We traded it in within a couple of months after we got back. Seems as though the Yellowstone trip was a bit much for it, even though we were within weight limits. Keeping to shorter trips might work better.
The transmission didn't seem to be quite right when we got back and we decided to get rid of it before it really started giving us problems. It went into limp mode a few days before we traded it and threw a transmission code. We stopped and turned it off for about 5 minutes allowing it to reset. It was fine at that point. Told the dealer, they didn't seem to be concerned and we gave it to them guilt free. Now own a 2009 Silverado 3500HD Duramax/Allison Crew Cab LTZ 4x4 dually. Don't think we'll have problems with this rig.
2006 Dodge Durango
2006 Streamlite 25BH
|
cachingcampers
Niagara Region,Ontario
Senior Member
Joined: 11/13/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
Center Pin wrote:My DW has the same Durango. My biggest concern would be the tranny, IMHO it is the weakest link. I would talk with an expert and see if there are any upgrades that would prevent and premature failure.
The Durango 4.7 & 5.7 is backed with a 545RFE 5 speed automatic, very sturdy & capable transmission, also not an issue with the 355 gears.
For the doubting tom's out there, the 545RFE is the BASE transmission with the 5.7 Hemi in the 1500/2500/3500 series Ram's. I'm sure it'll get the job done in the Durango.
AND Yes, that's what my Ram has as well.
That "weakest link" handles all 15,000LBS of my truck and trailer VERY nicely.
2010 KZ Spree 324BHS-LX- Equal-i-zer,Prodigy,Barker Hi-Power.
2003 Dodge Ram 2500 QC SLT Heavy Duty, 5.7L 4x4
1999 Ford Expediton 5.4 4x4 "Eddie Bauer"
Me-1970
DW-1967
DS-1995
Our Pics & Trips
Winter Camping Tips & Tricks!
|
cachingcampers
Niagara Region,Ontario
Senior Member
Joined: 11/13/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
RVMusician wrote: It went into limp mode a few days before we traded it and threw a transmission code.
What code?
Just because you towed with it doesn't mean that's what caused a P code to appera, you also speak nothing of the mileage on it, and only mention service history once.
Pretty hard to give a good opinion to the OP when your not at all versed on what the failure was and why.
JMHO
|
345jeep
Fort Worth, TX
Senior Member
Joined: 09/10/2009
View Profile
|
Frankly, with a 27' 6,200 lb (ready to camp) TT, I think you are going to say...I shoulda had a Hemi if you ever pull in the mountains. 235 hp 4.7 and 3.55 gears not meant for what you are trying to pull. JMHO.
I'd either upgrade the TV or stay under 5,000 ready to camp for both power and GVWR reasons.
2010 Skyline Layton 190
2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 5.7L V8 4x4 3.73 Axles
Me, DW, daughter, Golden Retriever and Goldendoodle
|
poodlecamper1
Beacon Falls, CT USA
Full Member
Joined: 09/25/2004
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
Offline
|
I'm the OP and---drum roll----we have decided to upgrade our TV. I'll miss my Durango, such a luxurious ride on long trips. We've test driven the 2010 Ram 1500 5.7 hemi and Ford 2010 1500 5.4 3.73. Most interested in the Ford with the MAX tow package, IBC, built in sway control assist (well, I said I'm not a mechanic!) Like the supercab, 6.5' box, 144.5' wheelbase. The 2500 just is too massive for me.
We were told that it could tow 9700, and 11200 (fifth wheel). So this should work for the Passport, right? 28'long, say 6500 loaded. My DH does not commute with this, it'll be our run to the store vehicle, we do tow about 5,000 miles a year, 3 to 5 trips. We haven't purchased the new RV yet.
|
|
|
|
