What is the maximum towing capacity of a Dodge Dakota? And what kind of trailers, boats, or jet skis can it actually tow? In this article, we explain all the ins and outs of the Dodge Dakota’s towing. First, let us give you a quick answer:
A Dodge Dakota with a 2.5 I-4 has a towing capacity of 2,000 – 2,500 pounds. A Dodge Dakota with a 3.7 V6 can tow 4,600 – 5,300 pounds, whereas a 3.9 V6 can tow 4,650 – 6,200 pounds. A Dakota with a 4.7 V8 can tow 4,800 – 7,250, a 5.2 V8 can tow 6,200 – 6,700 pounds, and a 5.9 V8 can tow 1,800 – 8,500 pounds.
However, that doesn’t tell you the whole story. In the table below, we’ll first explain the maximum towing capacity of this car based on the model year and the available engine types. After that, we also made a list of 22 different trailers and told you when the Dakota can tow that trailer and when not.
Also read: How Many Miles Can A Dodge Dakota Last? (Answered)
Maximum Towing Capacity Per Year
First of all, it’s important to look at the maximum towing capacity of the Dodge Dakota. Because the Dakota has a lot of different variations, this means the table below is very extensive. The easiest way to read it is to determine your car’s model year and engine type and figure out what the cab layout is and whether it’s 2WD or 4WD.
Also, it’s good to know that the table below includes the maximum towing capacity of a specific type of car. In some cases, this means that that specific type of car has a towing package installed. The Dakota towing package means that your car includes a 4 and 7 pin wiring harness located at the rear underbody of the vehicle.
| Year | Engine | Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) | Notes |
| 2011 | 3.7 V6 | 4,950 | 2WD Extended Cab |
| 3.7 V6 | 4,800 | 2WD Crew Cab | |
| 3.7 V6 | 4,750 | 4WD Extended Cab | |
| 3.7 V6 | 4,650 | 4WD Crew Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 7,250 | 2WD Extended Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 7,050 | 2WD Crew Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 7,050 | 4WD Extended Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 6,900 | 4WD Crew Cab | |
| 2010 | 3.7 V6 | 4,950 | 2WD Extended Cab |
| 3.7 V6 | 4,800 | 2WD Crew Cab | |
| 3.7 V6 | 4,750 | 4WD Extended Cab | |
| 3.7 V6 | 4,650 | 4WD Crew Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 7,250 | 2WD Extended Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 7,050 | 2WD Crew Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 7,050 | 4WD Extended Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 6,900 | 4WD Crew Cab | |
| 2009 | 3.7 V6 | 5,000 | 2WD Extended Cab |
| 3.7 V6 | 4,800 | 2WD Crew Cab | |
| 3.7 V6 | 4,800 | 4WD Extended Cab | |
| 3.7 V6 | 4,600 | 4WD Crew Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 7,200 | 2WD Extended Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 7,050 | 2WD Crew Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 7,000 | 4WD Extended Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 6,850 | 4WD Crew Cab | |
| 2008 | 3.7 V6 | 4,580 | 2WD Extended Cab |
| 3.7 V6 | 4,750 | 2WD Crew Cab | |
| 3.7 V6 | 4,650 | 4WD Extended Cab | |
| 3.7 V6 | 4,600 | 4WD Crew Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 7,050 | 2WD Extended Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 6,800 | 4WD Extended Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 5,550 | 4WD Crew Cab | |
| 2007 | 3.7 V6 | 4,900 | 2WD Club Cab |
| 3.7 V6 | 4,800 | 2WD Quad Cab | |
| 3.7 V6 | 4,700 | 4WD Club Cab | |
| 3.7 V6 | 4,600 | 4WD Quad Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 7,150 | 2WD Club Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 7,050 | 2WD Quad Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 7,000 | 4WD Club Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 6,850 | 4WD Quad Cab | |
| 2006 | 3.7 V6 | 4,900 | 2WD Club Cab |
| 3.7 V6 | 4,800 | 2WD Quad Cab | |
| 3.7 V6 | 4,700 | 4WD Club Cab | |
| 3.7 V6 | 4,600 | 4WD Quad Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 7,150 | 2WD Club Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 7,050 | 2WD Quad Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 7,000 | 4WD Club Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 6,850 | 4WD Quad Cab | |
| 2005 | 3.7 V6 | 4,850 | 2WD Club Cab |
| 3.7 V6 | 4,750 | 2WD Quad Cab | |
| 3.7 V6 | 4,700 | 4WD Club Cab | |
| 3.7 V6 | 4,700 | 4WD Quad Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 7,150 | 2WD Club Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 7,000 | 2WD Quad Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 6,950 | 4WD Club Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 6,950 | 4WD Quad Cab | |
| 2004 | 3.7 V6 | 5,300 | 2WD Regular Cab |
| 3.7 V6 | 4,000 | 2WD Club Cab | |
| 3.7 V6 | 4,800 | 2WD Quad Cab | |
| 3.7 V6 | 4,650 | 4WD Regular Cab | |
| 3.7 V6 | 4,500 | 4WD Club Cab | |
| 3.7 V6 | 4,550 | 4WD Quad Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 6,600 | 2WD Regular Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 6,450 | 2WD Club Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 6,100 | 2WD Quad Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 6,300 | 4WD Regular Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 6,100 | 4WD Club Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 5,850 | 4WD Quad Cab | |
| 2003 | 3.9 V6 | 5,350 | 2WD Regular Cab |
| 3.9 V6 | 5,100 | 2WD Club Cab | |
| 3.9 V6 | 4,800 | 2WD Quad Cab | |
| 3.9 V6 | 5,100 | 4WD Regular Cab | |
| 3.9 V6 | 4,800 | 4WD Club Cab | |
| 3.9 V6 | 4,600 | 4WD Quad Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 6,600 | 2WD Regular Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 6,300 | 2WD Club Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 6,050 | 2WD Quad Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 6,300 | 4WD Regular Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 6,050 | 4WD Club Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 4,800 | 4WD Quad Cab | |
| 5.9 V8 | 1,800 | 2WD Regular Cab | |
| 5.9 V8 | 1,850 | 2WD Club Cab | |
| 5.9 V8 | 5,950 | 2WD Quad Cab | |
| 5.9 V8 | 5,950 | 4WD Quad Cab | |
| 2002 | 2.5 I-4 | 2,250 | 2WD |
| 2.5 I-4 | 2,300 | 2WD Club Cab | |
| 3.9 V6 | 5,450 | 2WD | |
| 3.9 V6 | 5,200 | 2WD Club Cab | |
| 3.9 V6 | 4,900 | 2WD Quad Cab | |
| 3.9 V6 | 5,200 | 2WD R/T | |
| 3.9 V6 | 5,000 | 4WD R/T | |
| 4.7 V8 | 6,600 | 2WD | |
| 4.7 V8 | 6,550 | 2WD Club Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 6,150 | 2WD Quad Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 6,400 | 4WD | |
| 4.7 V8 | 6,200 | 4WD Club Cab | |
| 5.9 V8 | 6,350 | 2WD Quad Cab | |
| 5.9 V8 | 2,000 | 2WD R/T | |
| 5.9 V8 | 2,000 | 4WD R/T | |
| 5.9 V8 | 6,100 | 4WD Quad Cab | |
| 2001 | 2.5 I-4 | 2,250 | 4×2 |
| 2.5 I-4 | 2,300 | 4×2 Club Cab | |
| 3.9 V6 | 5,450 | 4×2 | |
| 3.9 V6 | 5,200 | 4×2 Club Cab | |
| 3.9 V6 | 6,150 | 4×2 Quad Cab | |
| 3.9 V6 | 6,400 | 4×4 | |
| 3.9 V6 | 6,200 | 4×4 Club Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 6,600 | 4×2 | |
| 4.7 V8 | 6,550 | 4×2 Club Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 6,150 | 4×2 Quad Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 6,400 | 4×4 | |
| 4.7 V8 | 6,200 | 4×4 Club Cab | |
| 5.9 V8 | 2,000 | 4×2 | |
| 5.9 V8 | 2,000 | 4×2 Club Cab | |
| 5.9 V8 | 6,350 | 4×2 Quad Cab | |
| 5.9 V8 | 6,100 | 4×4 Quad Cab | |
| 2000 | 2.5 I-4 | 2,250 | 4×2 |
| 2.5 I-4 | 2,050 | 4×2 Club Cab | |
| 3.9 V6 | 5,450 | 4×2 | |
| 3.9 V6 | 5,200 | 4×2 Club Cab | |
| 3.9 V6 | 4,900 | 4×2 Quad Cab | |
| 3.9 V6 | 4,800 | 4×4 | |
| 3.9 V6 | 5,200 | 4×4 Club Cab | |
| 3.9 V6 | 4,650 | 4×4 Quad Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 6,600 | 4×2 | |
| 4.7 V8 | 6,500 | 4×2 Club Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 6,100 | 4×2 Quad Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 6,350 | 4×4 | |
| 4.7 V8 | 6,200 | 4×4 Club Cab | |
| 4.7 V8 | 5,900 | 4×4 Quad Cab | |
| 5.9 V8 | 2,000 | 4×2 | |
| 5.9 V8 | 2,000 | 4×2 Club Cab | |
| 5.9 V8 | 6,350 | 4×2 Quad Cab | |
| 1999 | 2.5 I-4 | 2,500 | 4×2 |
| 2.5 I-4 | 2,300 | 4×2 Club Cab | |
| 3.9 V6 | 5,500 | 4×2 | |
| 3.9 V6 | 5,200 | 4×2 Club Cab | |
| 3.9 V6 | 5,200 | 4×4 | |
| 3.9 V6 | 5,000 | 4×4 Club Cab | |
| 5.2 V8 | 6,700 | 4×2 | |
| 5.2 V8 | 6,300 | 4×2 Club Cab | |
| 5.2 V8 | 6,400 | 4×4 | |
| 5.2 V8 | 6,200 | 4×4 Club Cab | |
| 5.9 V8 | 8,500 | 4×2 | |
| 5.9 V8 | 8,300 | 4×2 Club Cab | |
| 1998 | 2.5 I-4 | 2,500 | 4×2 |
| 2.5 I-4 | 2,300 | 4×2 Club Cab | |
| 3.9 V6 | 5,500 | 4×2 | |
| 3.9 V6 | 5,200 | 4×2 Club Cab | |
| 3.9 V6 | 5,200 | 4×4 | |
| 3.9 V6 | 5,000 | 4×4 Club Cab | |
| 5.2 V8 | 6,700 | 4×2 | |
| 5.2 V8 | 6,300 | 4×2 Club Cab | |
| 5.2 V8 | 6,400 | 4×4 | |
| 5.2 V8 | 6,200 | 4×4 Club Cab | |
| 5.9 V8 | 6,800 | 4×2 | |
| 5.9 V8 | 6,600 | 4×2 Club Cab | |
| 1997 | 2.5 I-4 | 2,000 | 4×2 |
| 3.9 V6 | 5,500 | 4×2 | |
| 3.9 V6 | 5,200 | 4×2 Club Cab | |
| 3.9 V6 | 5,200 | 4×4 | |
| 3.9 V6 | 5,000 | 4×4 Club Cab | |
| 5.2 V8 | 6,700 | 4×2 | |
| 5.2 V8 | 5,400 | 4×2 Club Cab | |
| 5.2 V8 | 6,500 | 4×4 | |
| 5.2 V8 | 6,200 | 4×4 Club Cab |
Also read:
- Dodge Challenger Towing Capacity
- Dodge Grand Caravan Towing Capacity
- Dodge Charger Towing Capacity
- Dodge Nitro Towing Capacity
- Dodge Journey Towing Capacity
Can It Tow A Trailer, Boat Or Jet Ski?
Besides knowing how much a Dodge Dakota can tow, it’s also essential to know what practical implications this has for you as the car owner. Therefore, in the table below, we’ve outlined the average empty and loaded weight of 22 different trailers. For each trailer, we’ve identified whether or not the Dodge Dakota is capable of towing it or not. The short conclusion is as follows:
Almost all Dodge Dakota’s will be able to tow a loaded kayak/canoe-, jet ski-, motorcycle-, teardrop-, small/large utility-, a-frame-, fishing boat-, pop-up-, small/large travel-, tow dolly or small horse trailer depending on the specific type of Dakota that you own.
However, let it be clear that this does not tell the whole story. Below the table, you’ll find extra information for each type of trailer that the Dakota can carry. There, we will further elaborate on if the Dakota can carry all types of trailers of that specific kind or if there are certain exceptions that you should take into account.
| Trailer Type | Average Empty Weight (lbs.) | Average Total Loaded Weight (lbs.) | Can A Dodge Dakota Tow It? |
| Canoe / Kayak Trailer | 200 | 400 | Yes |
| Jet Ski Trailer | 300 | 1,800 | Yes |
| Motorcycle Trailer | 500 | 2,400 | Yes, except for 2.5 L I-4 |
| Teardrop Trailer | 1,700 | 2,400 | Yes, except for 2.5 L I-4 |
| Small Open Utility Trailer | 700 | 2,500 | Yes, except for 2.5 L I-4 |
| A-Frame Camper | 1,700 | 2,900 | Yes, except for 2.5 L I-4 |
| Small Enclosed Utility Trailer | 1,000 | 3,200 | Yes, except for 2.5 L I-4 |
| Fishing Boat Trailer | 600 | 3,300 | Yes, except for 2.5 L I-4 |
| Pop Up Camper | 2,300 | 3,400 | Yes, except for 2.5 L I-4 |
| Small Travel Trailer | 2,800 | 3,600 | Yes, except for 2.5 L I-4 |
| Tow Dolly | 600 | 4,000 | Yes, except for 2.5 L I-4 |
| Large Enclosed Utility Trailer | 2,700 | 7,100 | Yes, 4.7 V8 and some 5.9 V8 2WD Ext./Club Cab |
| Small Horse Trailer | 2,900 | 7,200 | Yes, 4.7 V8 and some 5.9 V8 2WD Ext./Club Cab |
| Large Travel Trailer | 6,700 | 8,300 | Yes, but only 1999 5.9 V8 4×2 (Club Cab) |
| Car Trailer | 1,900 | 9,000 | No |
| Large Flatbed Trailer | 3,000 | 10,400 | No |
| Large Boat Trailer | 2,200 | 13,600 | No |
| Dump Trailer | 4,500 | 16,900 | No |
| Toy Hauler | 7,600 | 17,900 | No |
| Large Livestock Trailer | 7,300 | 18,700 | No |
| 5th Wheel Camper | 12,700 | 18,700 | No |
| Gooseneck Flatbed Trailer | 7,200 | 23,200 | No |
- Kayak: All Dodge Dakota models will be able to tow a kayak trailer. On average an empty kayak trailer will weigh 200 pounds. A loaded kayak trailer will weigh an average of 400 pound with a maximum of 800 pounds which is well within the range of the Dodge Dakota.
- Jet Ski Trailer: All Dodge Dakota models will be able to tow a jet ski trailer. On average an empty jet ski trailer will weigh 300 pounds. A loaded jet ski trailer will weigh an average of 1,800 pounds with a maximum of 3,000 pounds which is within the range of the Dodge Dakota.
- Motorcycle Trailer: All Dodge Dakota models (except for the 2.5 L I-4’s) will be able to tow a motorcycle trailer. On average an empty motorcycle trailer will weigh 500 pounds. A loaded motorcycle trailer will weigh an average of 2,400 pounds with a maximum of 3,500 which is within the range of the Dodge Dakota.
- Teardrop Trailer: All Dodge Dakota models will be able to tow a teardrop trailer. On average an empty teardrop trailer will weigh 1,700 pounds. A loaded teardrop trailer will weigh an average of 2,400 pounds which is within the range of the Dodge Dakota. These trailers will weigh a maximum of 6,000 pounds which means some Dakota’s won’t be able to pull them.
- Small Open Utility Trailer: All Dodge Dakota models (except for the 2.5 L I-4’s) will be able to tow a small open utility trailer. On average an empty small open utility trailer er will weigh 700 pounds. A loaded small open utility trailer will weigh an average of 2,500 pounds with a maximum of 3,000 pounds which is within the range of the Dodge Dakota.
- A-Frame Camper: All Dodge Dakota models (except for the 2.5 L I-4’s) will be able to tow an a-frame camper. On average an empty a-frame camper weighs 1,700 pounds. A loaded a-frame camper will weigh an average of 2,900 pounds with a maximum of 3,600 pounds which is withing the range of the Dodge Dakota.
- Small Enclosed Utility Trailer: All Dodge Dakota models (except for the 2.5 L I-4’s) will be able to tow a small enclosed utility trailer. On average an empty small enclosed utility trailer weighs 1,000 pounds. A loaded small enclosed utility trailer will weigh an average of 3,200 pounds which is within the range of the Dakota. Some of these trailers will weigh 7,000 pounds which means some Dakota’s won’t be able to tow them.
- Fishing Boat Trailer: All Dodge Dakota models (except for the 2.5 L I-4’s) will be able to tow a fishing boat trailer. On average an empty fishing boat trailer weighs 600 pounds. A loaded fishing boat trailer will weigh an average of 3,300 pounds which is within the range of the Dakota. Some of these trailers will weight 6,000 pounds which means some Dakota’s won’t be able to pull them.
- Pop-Up Camper: All Dodge Dakota models (except for the 2.5 L I-4’s) will be able to tow a pop-up camper. On average an empty pop-up camper weighs 2,300 pounds. A loaded pop-up camper will weigh an average of 3,400 pounds with a maximum of 4,000 pounds which is within the range of the Dodge Dakota.
- Small Travel Trailer: All Dodge Dakota models (except for the 2.5 L I-4’s) will be able to tow a small travel trailer. On average an empty small travel trailer weighs 2,800 pounds. A loaded small travel trailer will weigh an average of 3,600 pounds with a maximum of 4,500 pounds which is within the range of the Dodge Dakota.
- Tow Dolly: All Dodge Dakota models (except for the 2.5 L I-4’s) will be able to tow a tow dolly. On average an empty tow dolly weighs 600 pounds. A loaded tow dolly will weigh an average of 4,000 pounds which is within the range of the Dakota. Some tow dolly’s weigh 5,000 pounds which means some Dakota’s won’t be able to pull them.
- Large Enclosed Utility Trailer: Dodge Dakota models with a 4.7 V8 and some with a 5.9 V8 will be able to tow a large enclosed utility trailer. On average an empty large enclosed utility trailer weighs 2,700 pounds. A loaded large enclosed utility trailer weighs an average of 7,100 pounds which is within the range of these Dodge Dakota’s. Some trailers will weigh 10,000 pounds which is outside the range of the Dakota.
- Small Horse Trailer: Dodge Dakota models with a 4.7 V8 and some with a 5.9 V8 will be able to tow a small horse trailer. On average an empty small horse trailer weighs 2,900 pounds. A loaded small horse trailer weighs an average of 7,200 pounds which is within the range of these Dodge Dakota’s. Some trailers will weigh 8,000 pounds which is outside the range of some Dakota’s.
- Large Travel Trailer: Only the 1999 Dodge Dakota with a 5.9 V8 and 4×2 (Club Cab) is able to tow a large travel trailer. On average an empty large travel trailer weighs 6,700 pounds. A loaded large travel trailer weighs 8,300 pounds which is within the range of this Dakota. Some large travel trailers will weigh 15,000 pounds which is outside the range of the Dakota.
How Well Can It Tow Compared To Its Competitors
Besides knowing how much a Dodge Dakota can tow and what this means in real life, it’s also important to compare the towing capacity of the Dakota to its main competitors. The reason for this is that this is essential information if you’re in the market for a Dakota.
For this, we took several different competitors and compared the 2011 models, given that this was the last year Dakota was on the market. The results are displayed in the table below.
We found that the minimum towing capacity of a 2011 Dakota is a lot higher than most of its competitors. The Colorado and the Canyon don’t even come close here. The Frontier has a good shot, and the Avalanche is clearly the best option.
Basically, the same thing can be said about the maximum towing capacity. The Avalanche is on top, with the Dakota as a close second. The Colorado, Frontier, and Canyon all end up in the 6,000-range, which is good but not as good as the Dakota or Avalanche.
Overall we would say that the Dakota does really well compared to its competitors, and it does seem to be a good pick if you’re looking to tow a lot of medium- or some larger-sized trailers. Just keep in mind that heavy towing will be harder on your Dakota’s transmission and could shorten its lifespan.
| Year / Make / Model | Min. Towing Capacity (lbs.) | Max. Towing Capacity (lbs.) |
| 2011 Dodge Dakota | 4,650 | 7,250 |
| 2011 Chevrolet Colorado | 1,900 | 6,000 |
| 2011 Nissan Frontier | 3,500 | 6,500 |
| 2011 GMC Canyon | 1,900 | 6,000 |
| 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche | 5,000 | 8,100 |
Hi! My name is Stefan; I’m the owner and lead writer at TheDriverAdviser.com.
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