Tow Ratings Towing capacity for every US vehicle, 1991 to today

2003 Dodge Dakota towing capacity

The 2003 Dodge Dakota is published in 18 configurations, with tow ratings ranging from 1,800 to 6,600 lb depending on cab, bed, drivetrain, and hitch class. The peak figure (6,600 lb) sits in mid-size SUV / pickup territory.

The table below lists every trim of the 2003 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 — 175 225 3.21 5,300 5,000 3,707 1,293
Sport 4x2 Regular Cab 112 in. WB — 175 225 3.21 6,600 5,000 3,707 1,293
SLT 4x2 Regular Cab 112 in. WB — 175 225 3.21 6,600 5,000 3,713 1,287
R/T 4x2 Regular Cab 112 in. WB — 250 345 3.92 1,800 5,000 4,027 973
Base 4x4 Regular Cab 112.1 in. WB — 175 225 3.55 5,000 5,400 4,018 1,382
Sport 4x4 Regular Cab 112.1 in. WB — 175 225 3.55 6,300 5,400 4,018 1,382
SLT 4x4 Regular Cab 112.1 in. WB — 175 225 3.55 6,250 5,400 4,026 1,374
Base 4x2 Club Cab 131 in. WB — 175 225 3.21 5,000 6,010 3,977 2,033
Sport 4x2 Club Cab 131 in. WB — 175 225 3.21 6,300 6,010 3,977 2,033
SLT 4x2 Club Cab 131 in. WB — 175 225 3.21 6,300 6,010 3,971 2,039
R/T 4x2 Club Cab 131 in. WB — 250 345 3.92 1,850 5,350 4,225 1,125
Base 4x4 Club Cab 131.2 in. WB — 175 225 3.55 4,800 6,010 4,244 1,766
Sport 4x4 Club Cab 131.2 in. WB — 175 225 3.55 6,050 6,010 4,244 1,766
SLT 4x4 Club Cab 131.2 in. WB — 175 225 3.55 6,050 6,010 4,256 1,754
Sport/SXT 4x2 Quad Cab 131 in. WB — 175 225 3.55 6,200 6,010 4,230 1,780
SLT 4x2 Quad Cab 131 in. WB — 175 225 3.55 6,200 6,010 4,226 1,784
Sport/SXT 4x4 Quad Cab 131.1 in. WB — 175 225 3.55 5,950 6,010 4,460 1,550
SLT 4x4 Quad Cab 131.1 in. WB — 175 225 3.55 5,950 6,010 4,475 1,535

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 2002

The 2002 Dodge Dakota carried a maximum tow rating of 6,650 lb. The 2003 model is rated 50 lb lower — sometimes a real spec change, sometimes a re-test under a stricter standard like SAE J2807. See the 2002 Dodge Dakota page for the full per-trim breakdown of the prior year.

Other 2003 Dodge models

The rest of Dodge's 2003 lineup, ranked by maximum tow rating. Click through for the per-trim breakdown of any of these.

Model Max tow (lb)
2003 Dodge RAM 3500 16,300
2003 Dodge Ram 3500 Quad Cab 2WD, Short Bed 16,300
2003 Dodge RAM 3500 Regular CAB 16,200
2003 Dodge Ram 3500 Regular Cab 2WD DRW LB 16,200
2003 Dodge Ram 3500 Quad Cab 2WD, Long Bed 16,200
2003 Dodge RAM 3500 Quad CAB 16,130

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.