2002 Dodge Dakota towing capacity
The 2002 Dodge Dakota is published in 16 configurations, with tow ratings ranging from 5,150 to 6,650 lb depending on cab, bed, drivetrain, and hitch class. The peak figure (6,650 lb) sits in mid-size SUV / pickup territory.
The table below lists every trim of the 2002 Dodge Dakota with the engine, drivetrain, axle ratio, horsepower, torque, GVWR, curb weight, and payload that go with that trim's headline tow rating. Manufacturers often publish more than one tow figure per truck — a conventional bumper-hitch rating, a weight-distributing rating, and a gooseneck or fifth-wheel rating — so the highest number here is the maximum across all hitch classes the source carries for the trim.
Per-trim breakdown
| Configuration | Engine | HP | Torque | Axle | Tow (lb) | GVWR | Curb | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base 4x2 Regular Cab 112 in. WB | — | — | — | 3.55 | 5,400 | 5,000 | 3,641 | 1,359 |
| SLT 4x2 Regular Cab 112 in. WB | — | — | — | 3.21 | 6,650 | 5,000 | 3,641 | 1,359 |
| Sport 4x2 Regular Cab 112 in. WB | — | — | — | 3.55 | 6,650 | 4,700 | 3,426 | 1,274 |
| Base 4x4 Regular Cab 112 in. WB | — | — | — | 3.55 | 6,400 | 5,400 | 3,909 | 1,491 |
| SLT 4x4 Regular Cab 112 in. WB | — | — | — | 3.55 | 6,400 | 5,400 | 3,909 | 1,491 |
| Sport 4x4 Regular Cab 112 in. WB | — | — | — | 3.55 | 6,400 | 5,400 | 3,909 | 1,491 |
| Base 4x2 Club Cab 131.1 in. WB | — | — | — | 3.21 | 5,150 | 5,350 | 3,871 | 1,479 |
| SLT 4x2 Club Cab 131.1 in. WB | — | — | — | 3.21 | 6,450 | 5,350 | 3,871 | 1,479 |
| Sport 4x2 Club Cab 131.1 in. WB | — | — | — | 3.92 | 6,450 | 4,900 | 3,645 | 1,255 |
| Base 4x4 Club Cab 131.1 in. WB | — | — | — | 3.55 | 5,150 | 5,600 | 4,105 | 1,495 |
| SLT 4x4 Club Cab 131.1 in. WB | — | — | — | 3.55 | 6,150 | 5,600 | 4,105 | 1,495 |
| Sport 4x4 Club Cab 131.1 in. WB | — | — | — | 3.55 | 6,150 | 5,600 | 4,105 | 1,495 |
| SLT 4x2 Quad Cab 131 in. WB | — | — | — | 3.55 | 6,050 | 6,010 | 4,244 | 1,766 |
| Sport 4x2 Quad Cab 131 in. WB | — | — | — | 3.55 | 6,050 | 6,010 | 4,244 | 1,766 |
| SLT 4x4 Quad Cab 131.1 in. WB | — | — | — | 3.55 | 5,950 | 6,010 | 4,484 | 1,526 |
| Sport 4x4 Quad Cab 131.1 in. WB | — | — | — | 3.55 | 5,950 | 6,010 | 4,484 | 1,526 |
How to interpret the headline tow figure
Tow ratings at this level are normally achievable with a conventional Class II or Class III receiver hitch. Always verify your vehicle has the manufacturer's tow package installed if you intend to tow at the upper end of the rating, and inspect the door-jamb sticker for the actual maximum permitted on your specific configuration.
How this year compares to 2001
The 2001 Dodge Dakota carried a maximum tow rating of 6,700 lb. The 2002 model is rated 50 lb lower — sometimes a real spec change, sometimes a re-test under a stricter standard like SAE J2807. See the 2001 Dodge Dakota page for the full per-trim breakdown of the prior year.
Other 2002 Dodge models
The rest of Dodge's 2002 lineup, ranked by maximum tow rating. Click through for the per-trim breakdown of any of these.
| Model | Max tow (lb) |
|---|---|
| 2002 Dodge RAM 3500 | 15,150 |
| 2002 Dodge Ram 3500 2WD | 15,150 |
| 2002 Dodge Ram 3500 4WD | 14,700 |
| 2002 Dodge Ram 3500 2WD Quad Cab | 14,700 |
| 2002 Dodge Ram 3500 4WD Quad Cab | 14,300 |
| 2002 Dodge RAM 2500 Regular CAB | 14,150 |
All figures sourced from manufacturer documentation. See our methodology for how the dataset is compiled. Always confirm against your vehicle's door-jamb sticker before towing.