Makes · Dodge · Dodge Dakota
2008 Dodge Dakota towing capacity
Trim-level maximum towing capacity — 3,150 – 7,050 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?
24 configurations
24 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 2008 Dodge Dakota tow?
Across 24 configurations with published ratings, 2008 Dodge Dakota towing capacity ranges from 3,150 lbs to 7,050 lbs. Exact capacity depends on configuration — not every 2008 Dodge Dakota can tow the maximum value.
- Minimum published towing capacity in this dataset: 3,150 lbs
- Maximum published towing capacity in this dataset: 7,050 lbs
- Configurations with a towing rating: 24 of 24
Highest-rated example: Laramie · 4x2 · Extended Cab — 7,050 lbs
Lowest-rated example: SXT/Bighorn/Lonestar · 4x2 — 3,150 lbs
Highest towing configurations
Top configurations by published maximum trailer rating for the 2008 Dodge Dakota. Payload is shown only when present in the dataset.
| Trim | Cab | Drivetrain | Bed | Axle ratio | Max towing | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laramie | Extended Cab | 4x2 | — | 3.55 | 7,050 lbs | 1,460 lbs |
| Laramie | Extended Cab | 4x4 | — | 3.92 | 6,800 lbs | 1,270 lbs |
| Laramie | Crew Cab | 4x4 | — | 3.92 | 6,700 lbs | 1,150 lbs |
| Laramie | Crew Cab | 4x2 | — | 3.55 | 5,800 lbs | 1,480 lbs |
| SLT | Extended Cab | 4x4 | — | 3.55 | 5,600 lbs | 1,510 lbs |
| Sport | Extended Cab | 4x4 | — | 3.55 | 5,600 lbs | 1,470 lbs |
| SLT | Crew Cab | 4x4 | — | 3.55 | 4,550 lbs | 1,430 lbs |
| Sport | Crew Cab | 4x4 | — | 3.55 | 4,550 lbs | 1,430 lbs |
| TRX | Crew Cab | 4x4 | — | 3.92 | 4,550 lbs | 1,430 lbs |
| Sport | Crew Cab | 4x2 | — | 3.55 | 4,400 lbs | 1,570 lbs |
Towing capacity by drivetrain
2008 Dodge Dakota 4x2 towing capacity
Range: 3,150 – 7,050 lbs (median 3,375 lbs) across 12 configurations in this dataset.
2008 Dodge Dakota 4x4 towing capacity
Range: 3,800 – 6,800 lbs (median 4,550 lbs) across 12 configurations in this dataset.
Towing capacity by cab style
2008 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab towing capacity
Observed range: 3,150 – 6,700 lbs (12 configurations).
2008 Dodge Dakota Extended Cab towing capacity
Observed range: 3,250 – 7,050 lbs (12 configurations).
Towing capacity by axle ratio
| Axle ratio | Towing range | Configurations |
|---|---|---|
| 3.21 | 3,150 – 3,500 lbs | 6 |
| 3.55 | 3,250 – 7,050 lbs | 15 |
| 3.92 | 4,550 – 6,800 lbs | 3 |
2008 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: 1,150 – 1,710 lbs
- Configurations with payload data: 24
Highest-payload configurations
- ST · 4x2 · Extended Cab — 1,710 lbs
- SXT/Bighorn/Lonestar · 4x2 · Extended Cab — 1,710 lbs
- Sport · 4x2 · Extended Cab — 1,690 lbs
- SLT · 4x2 · Extended Cab — 1,680 lbs
- TRX · 4x2 · Extended Cab — 1,660 lbs
Quick configuration comparison
Observed towing ranges from the 2008 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 | 3,150 – 7,050 lbs | 12 |
| 4x4 | 3,800 – 6,800 lbs | 12 |
Cab styles
| Cab | Towing range | Configs |
|---|---|---|
| Crew Cab | 3,150 – 6,700 lbs | 12 |
| Extended Cab | 3,250 – 7,050 lbs | 12 |
Axle ratios
| Axle | Towing range | Median | Configs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.21 | 3,150 – 3,500 lbs | 3,250 lbs | 6 |
| 3.55 | 3,250 – 7,050 lbs | 4,400 lbs | 15 |
| 3.92 | 4,550 – 6,800 lbs | 6,700 lbs | 3 |
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: Crew Cab, Extended Cab
- Published towing range: 3,150 – 7,050 lbs
Compare this vehicle
Preselected: 2008 Dodge Dakota. Pick a second vehicle on the compare page.
Towing capacity by trim
| Trim | Max towing | Curb weight | Payload* | HP | Torque | Axle | Wheelbase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laramie 4x2 Extended Cab 131.3 in. WB | 7,050 lbs | 4,553 lbs | 1,460 lbs | 302 | 329 | 3.55 | 131.3 |
| Laramie 4x4 Extended Cab 131.3 in. WB | 6,800 lbs | 4,744 lbs | 1,270 lbs | 302 | 329 | 3.92 | 131.3 |
| Laramie 4x4 Crew Cab 131.3 in. WB | 6,700 lbs | 4,859 lbs | 1,150 lbs | 302 | 329 | 3.92 | 131.3 |
| Laramie 4x2 Crew Cab 131.3 in. WB | 5,800 lbs | 4,529 lbs | 1,480 lbs | 302 | 329 | 3.55 | 131.3 |
| SLT 4x4 Extended Cab 131.3 in. WB | 5,600 lbs | 4,535 lbs | 1,510 lbs | 210 | 235 | 3.55 | 131.3 |
| Sport 4x4 Extended Cab 131.3 in. WB | 5,600 lbs | 4,535 lbs | 1,470 lbs | 210 | 235 | 3.55 | 131.3 |
| SLT 4x4 Crew Cab 131.3 in. WB | 4,550 lbs | 4,584 lbs | 1,430 lbs | 210 | 235 | 3.55 | 131.3 |
| Sport 4x4 Crew Cab 131.3 in. WB | 4,550 lbs | 4,584 lbs | 1,430 lbs | 210 | 235 | 3.55 | 131.3 |
| TRX 4x4 Crew Cab 131.3 in. WB | 4,550 lbs | 4,584 lbs | 1,430 lbs | 210 | 235 | 3.92 | 131.3 |
| Sport 4x2 Crew Cab 131.3 in. WB | 4,400 lbs | 4,437 lbs | 1,570 lbs | 210 | 235 | 3.55 | 131.3 |
| TRX 4x2 Crew Cab 131.3 in. WB | 4,400 lbs | 4,437 lbs | 1,570 lbs | 210 | 235 | 3.55 | 131.3 |
| TRX 4x2 Extended Cab 131.3 in. WB | 4,000 lbs | 4,354 lbs | 1,660 lbs | 210 | 235 | 3.55 | 131.3 |
| ST 4x4 Extended Cab 131.3 in. WB | 3,850 lbs | 4,485 lbs | 1,530 lbs | 210 | 235 | 3.55 | 131.3 |
| SXT/Bighorn/Lonestar 4x4 Extended Cab 131.3 in. WB | 3,850 lbs | 4,485 lbs | 1,530 lbs | 210 | 235 | 3.55 | 131.3 |
| ST 4x4 Crew Cab 131.3 in. WB | 3,800 lbs | 4,573 lbs | 1,440 lbs | 210 | 235 | 3.55 | 131.3 |
| SXT/Bighorn/Lonestar 4x4 Crew Cab 131.3 in. WB | 3,800 lbs | 4,573 lbs | 1,440 lbs | 210 | 235 | 3.55 | 131.3 |
| TRX 4x4 Extended Cab 131.3 in. WB | 3,800 lbs | 4,535 lbs | 1,470 lbs | 210 | 235 | 3.55 | 131.3 |
| SLT 4x2 Crew Cab 131.3 in. WB | 3,500 lbs | 4,437 lbs | 1,570 lbs | 210 | 235 | 3.21 | 131.3 |
| SLT 4x2 Extended Cab 131.3 in. WB | 3,250 lbs | 4,329 lbs | 1,680 lbs | 210 | 235 | 3.21 | 131.3 |
| Sport 4x2 Extended Cab 131.3 in. WB | 3,250 lbs | 4,325 lbs | 1,690 lbs | 210 | 235 | 3.55 | 131.3 |
| ST 4x2 Extended Cab 131.3 in. WB | 3,250 lbs | 4,296 lbs | 1,710 lbs | 210 | 235 | 3.21 | 131.3 |
| SXT/Bighorn/Lonestar 4x2 Extended Cab 131.3 in. WB | 3,250 lbs | 4,296 lbs | 1,710 lbs | 210 | 235 | 3.21 | 131.3 |
| ST 4x2 Crew Cab 131.3 in. WB | 3,150 lbs | 4,381 lbs | 1,630 lbs | 210 | 235 | 3.21 | 131.3 |
| SXT/Bighorn/Lonestar 4x2 Crew Cab 131.3 in. WB | 3,150 lbs | 4,381 lbs | 1,630 lbs | 210 | 235 | 3.21 | 131.3 |
* 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.