Makes · Dodge · Dodge Dakota
2002 Dodge Dakota towing capacity
Trim-level maximum towing capacity — 5,150 – 6,650 lbs across packages. Exact capacity depends on configuration. Payload is separate from towing capacity and is shown where GVWR and curb weight (or manufacturer payload) exist.
Tow Planner
Select your exact configuration and tell us what you're towing. We'll compare trailer weight, payload, tongue weight and the available vehicle limits. Year-level towing and payload answers below are available without selecting a configuration.
Which configuration do you have?
16 configurations
16 possible configurations match your selections.
What are you trying to do?
Choose a job to open interactive tools. Year-level towing and payload answers appear below even before you pick a configuration.
What can a 2002 Dodge Dakota tow?
Across 16 configurations with published ratings, 2002 Dodge Dakota towing capacity ranges from 5,150 lbs to 6,650 lbs. Exact capacity depends on configuration — not every 2002 Dodge Dakota can tow the maximum value.
- Minimum published towing capacity in this dataset: 5,150 lbs
- Maximum published towing capacity in this dataset: 6,650 lbs
- Configurations with a towing rating: 16 of 16
Highest-rated example: SLT · 4x2 · Regular Cab — 6,650 lbs
Lowest-rated example: Base · 4x4 — 5,150 lbs
Highest towing configurations
Top configurations by published maximum trailer rating for the 2002 Dodge Dakota. Payload is shown only when present in the dataset.
| Trim | Cab | Drivetrain | Bed | Axle ratio | Max towing | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLT | Regular Cab | 4x2 | — | 3.21 | 6,650 lbs | 1,360 lbs |
| Sport | Regular Cab | 4x2 | — | 3.55 | 6,650 lbs | 1,270 lbs |
| SLT | — | 4x2 | — | 3.21 | 6,450 lbs | 1,480 lbs |
| Sport | — | 4x2 | — | 3.92 | 6,450 lbs | 1,250 lbs |
| Base | Regular Cab | 4x4 | — | 3.55 | 6,400 lbs | 1,490 lbs |
| SLT | Regular Cab | 4x4 | — | 3.55 | 6,400 lbs | 1,490 lbs |
| Sport | Regular Cab | 4x4 | — | 3.55 | 6,400 lbs | 1,490 lbs |
| SLT | — | 4x4 | — | 3.55 | 6,150 lbs | 1,500 lbs |
| Sport | — | 4x4 | — | 3.55 | 6,150 lbs | 1,500 lbs |
| SLT | Quad Cab | 4x2 | — | 3.55 | 6,050 lbs | 1,770 lbs |
Towing capacity by drivetrain
2002 Dodge Dakota 4x2 towing capacity
Range: 5,150 – 6,650 lbs (median 6,250 lbs) across 8 configurations in this dataset.
2002 Dodge Dakota 4x4 towing capacity
Range: 5,150 – 6,400 lbs (median 6,150 lbs) across 8 configurations in this dataset.
Towing capacity by cab style
2002 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab towing capacity
Observed range: 5,950 – 6,050 lbs (4 configurations).
2002 Dodge Dakota Regular Cab towing capacity
Observed range: 5,400 – 6,650 lbs (6 configurations).
Towing capacity by axle ratio
| Axle ratio | Towing range | Configurations |
|---|---|---|
| 3.21 | 5,150 – 6,650 lbs | 3 |
| 3.55 | 5,150 – 6,650 lbs | 12 |
| 3.92 | 6,450 lbs | 1 |
2002 Dodge Dakota payload capacity
Payload is not the same as towing capacity. Where both GVWR and curb weight exist in the catalog, payload is GVWR minus curb weight (or the manufacturer payload field when present). Payload covers people, cargo in the truck, hitch equipment, and trailer tongue weight — not the full trailer weight.
- Observed payload range: 1,250 – 1,770 lbs
- Configurations with payload data: 16
Highest-payload configurations
- SLT · 4x2 · Quad Cab — 1,770 lbs
- Sport · 4x2 · Quad Cab — 1,770 lbs
- SLT · 4x4 · Quad Cab — 1,530 lbs
- Sport · 4x4 · Quad Cab — 1,530 lbs
- SLT · 4x4 — 1,500 lbs
Quick configuration comparison
Observed towing ranges from the 2002 Dodge Dakota dataset. Values are min–max of published ratings in each group — not a claim that every unit in the group can tow the top figure.
Drivetrain
| Drivetrain | Towing range | Configs |
|---|---|---|
| 4x2 | 5,150 – 6,650 lbs | 8 |
| 4x4 | 5,150 – 6,400 lbs | 8 |
Cab styles
| Cab | Towing range | Configs |
|---|---|---|
| Quad Cab | 5,950 – 6,050 lbs | 4 |
| Regular Cab | 5,400 – 6,650 lbs | 6 |
Axle ratios
| Axle | Towing range | Median | Configs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.21 | 5,150 – 6,650 lbs | 6,450 lbs | 3 |
| 3.55 | 5,150 – 6,650 lbs | 6,100 lbs | 12 |
| 3.92 | 6,450 lbs | 6,450 lbs | 1 |
Why does towing capacity vary for this vehicle?
Towing ratings vary across configurations. These are configuration differences present in our dataset:
- Drivetrain: 4x2, 4x4
- Axle ratios: 3.21, 3.55, 3.92
- Cab styles: Quad Cab, Regular Cab
- Published towing range: 5,150 – 6,650 lbs
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Towing capacity by trim
| Trim | Max towing | Curb weight | Payload* | HP | Torque | Axle | Wheelbase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLT 4x2 Regular Cab 112 in. WB | 6,650 lbs | 3,641 lbs | 1,360 lbs | 175 | 225 | 3.21 | 112.0 |
| Sport 4x2 Regular Cab 112 in. WB | 6,650 lbs | 3,426 lbs | 1,270 lbs | 175 | 225 | 3.55 | 112.0 |
| SLT 4x2 Club Cab 131.1 in. WB | 6,450 lbs | 3,871 lbs | 1,480 lbs | 175 | 225 | 3.21 | 131.1 |
| Sport 4x2 Club Cab 131.1 in. WB | 6,450 lbs | 3,645 lbs | 1,250 lbs | 175 | 225 | 3.92 | 131.1 |
| Base 4x4 Regular Cab 112 in. WB | 6,400 lbs | 3,909 lbs | 1,490 lbs | 175 | 225 | 3.55 | 112.0 |
| SLT 4x4 Regular Cab 112 in. WB | 6,400 lbs | 3,909 lbs | 1,490 lbs | 175 | 225 | 3.55 | 112.0 |
| Sport 4x4 Regular Cab 112 in. WB | 6,400 lbs | 3,909 lbs | 1,490 lbs | 175 | 225 | 3.55 | 112.0 |
| SLT 4x4 Club Cab 131.1 in. WB | 6,150 lbs | 4,105 lbs | 1,500 lbs | 175 | 225 | 3.55 | 131.1 |
| Sport 4x4 Club Cab 131.1 in. WB | 6,150 lbs | 4,105 lbs | 1,500 lbs | 175 | 225 | 3.55 | 131.1 |
| SLT 4x2 Quad Cab 131 in. WB | 6,050 lbs | 4,244 lbs | 1,770 lbs | 175 | 225 | 3.55 | 131.0 |
| Sport 4x2 Quad Cab 131 in. WB | 6,050 lbs | 4,244 lbs | 1,770 lbs | 175 | 225 | 3.55 | 131.0 |
| SLT 4x4 Quad Cab 131.1 in. WB | 5,950 lbs | 4,484 lbs | 1,530 lbs | 175 | 225 | 3.55 | 131.1 |
| Sport 4x4 Quad Cab 131.1 in. WB | 5,950 lbs | 4,484 lbs | 1,530 lbs | 175 | 225 | 3.55 | 131.1 |
| Base 4x2 Regular Cab 112 in. WB | 5,400 lbs | 3,641 lbs | 1,360 lbs | 175 | 225 | 3.55 | 112.0 |
| Base 4x2 Club Cab 131.1 in. WB | 5,150 lbs | 3,871 lbs | 1,480 lbs | 175 | 225 | 3.21 | 131.1 |
| Base 4x4 Club Cab 131.1 in. WB | 5,150 lbs | 4,105 lbs | 1,500 lbs | 175 | 225 | 3.55 | 131.1 |
* Payload = manufacturer payload when present, otherwise GVWR − curb weight. Towing capacity is a separate rating and is not the same as payload.
What affects the rating
Higher figures usually need the tow package, the right axle ratio, and enough cooling. Passengers, fuel, gear, and tongue weight all eat into what you can safely pull — stay under both the trailer rating and the vehicle’s payload.