Makes · Dodge · Dodge Dakota
2009 Dodge Dakota towing capacity
Trim-level maximum towing capacity — 3,950 – 4,950 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?
14 configurations
14 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 2009 Dodge Dakota tow?
Across 14 configurations with published ratings, 2009 Dodge Dakota towing capacity ranges from 3,950 lbs to 4,950 lbs. Exact capacity depends on configuration — not every 2009 Dodge Dakota can tow the maximum value.
- Minimum published towing capacity in this dataset: 3,950 lbs
- Maximum published towing capacity in this dataset: 4,950 lbs
- Configurations with a towing rating: 14 of 14
Highest-rated example: Bighorn/Lonestar · 4x2 · Extended Cab — 4,950 lbs
Lowest-rated example: ST · 4x4 — 3,950 lbs
Highest towing configurations
Top configurations by published maximum trailer rating for the 2009 Dodge Dakota. Payload is shown only when present in the dataset.
| Trim | Cab | Drivetrain | Bed | Axle ratio | Max towing | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bighorn/Lonestar | Extended Cab | 4x2 | — | 3.92 | 4,950 lbs | 1,800 lbs |
| Laramie | Extended Cab | 4x2 | — | 3.92 | 4,900 lbs | 1,750 lbs |
| Bighorn/Lonestar | Crew Cab | 4x2 | — | 3.92 | 4,800 lbs | 1,640 lbs |
| Bighorn/Lonestar | Extended Cab | 4x4 | — | 3.92 | 4,750 lbs | 1,600 lbs |
| Laramie | Crew Cab | 4x2 | — | 3.92 | 4,750 lbs | 1,600 lbs |
| Laramie | Extended Cab | 4x4 | — | 3.92 | 4,700 lbs | 1,540 lbs |
| ST | Extended Cab | 4x2 | — | 3.55 | 4,700 lbs | 1,840 lbs |
| TRX | Extended Cab | 4x4 | — | 3.92 | 4,700 lbs | 1,540 lbs |
| Bighorn/Lonestar | Crew Cab | 4x4 | — | 3.92 | 4,600 lbs | 1,440 lbs |
| ST | Crew Cab | 4x4 | — | 3.92 | 4,600 lbs | 1,460 lbs |
Towing capacity by drivetrain
2009 Dodge Dakota 4x2 towing capacity
Range: 4,500 – 4,950 lbs (median 4,775 lbs) across 6 configurations in this dataset.
2009 Dodge Dakota 4x4 towing capacity
Range: 3,950 – 4,750 lbs (median 4,600 lbs) across 8 configurations in this dataset.
Towing capacity by cab style
2009 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab towing capacity
Observed range: 4,500 – 4,800 lbs (7 configurations).
2009 Dodge Dakota Extended Cab towing capacity
Observed range: 3,950 – 4,950 lbs (7 configurations).
Towing capacity by axle ratio
| Axle ratio | Towing range | Configurations |
|---|---|---|
| 3.55 | 3,950 – 4,700 lbs | 3 |
| 3.92 | 4,500 – 4,950 lbs | 11 |
2009 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: 1,360 – 1,840 lbs
- Configurations with payload data: 14
Highest-payload configurations
- ST · 4x2 · Extended Cab — 1,840 lbs
- Bighorn/Lonestar · 4x2 · Extended Cab — 1,800 lbs
- Laramie · 4x2 · Extended Cab — 1,750 lbs
- ST · 4x2 · Crew Cab — 1,680 lbs
- Bighorn/Lonestar · 4x2 · Crew Cab — 1,640 lbs
Quick configuration comparison
Observed towing ranges from the 2009 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 | 4,500 – 4,950 lbs | 6 |
| 4x4 | 3,950 – 4,750 lbs | 8 |
Cab styles
| Cab | Towing range | Configs |
|---|---|---|
| Crew Cab | 4,500 – 4,800 lbs | 7 |
| Extended Cab | 3,950 – 4,950 lbs | 7 |
Axle ratios
| Axle | Towing range | Median | Configs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.55 | 3,950 – 4,700 lbs | 4,500 lbs | 3 |
| 3.92 | 4,500 – 4,950 lbs | 4,700 lbs | 11 |
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: 3.55, 3.92
- Cab styles: Crew Cab, Extended Cab
- Published towing range: 3,950 – 4,950 lbs
Compare this vehicle
Preselected: 2009 Dodge Dakota. Pick a second vehicle on the compare page.
Towing capacity by trim
| Trim | Max towing | Curb weight | Payload* | HP | Torque | Axle | Wheelbase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bighorn/Lonestar 4x2 Extended Cab 131.3 in. WB | 4,950 lbs | 4,209 lbs | 1,800 lbs | 210 | 235 | 3.92 | 131.3 |
| Laramie 4x2 Extended Cab 131.3 in. WB | 4,900 lbs | 4,264 lbs | 1,750 lbs | 210 | 235 | 3.92 | 131.3 |
| Bighorn/Lonestar 4x2 Crew Cab 131.3 in. WB | 4,800 lbs | 4,365 lbs | 1,640 lbs | 210 | 235 | 3.92 | 131.3 |
| Bighorn/Lonestar 4x4 Extended Cab 131.3 in. WB | 4,750 lbs | 4,405 lbs | 1,600 lbs | 210 | 235 | 3.92 | 131.3 |
| Laramie 4x2 Crew Cab 131.3 in. WB | 4,750 lbs | 4,406 lbs | 1,600 lbs | 210 | 235 | 3.92 | 131.3 |
| Laramie 4x4 Extended Cab 131.3 in. WB | 4,700 lbs | 4,466 lbs | 1,540 lbs | 210 | 235 | 3.92 | 131.3 |
| ST 4x2 Extended Cab 131.3 in. WB | 4,700 lbs | 4,175 lbs | 1,840 lbs | 210 | 235 | 3.55 | 131.3 |
| TRX 4x4 Extended Cab 131.3 in. WB | 4,700 lbs | 4,467 lbs | 1,540 lbs | 210 | 235 | 3.92 | 131.3 |
| Bighorn/Lonestar 4x4 Crew Cab 131.3 in. WB | 4,600 lbs | 4,569 lbs | 1,440 lbs | 210 | 235 | 3.92 | 131.3 |
| ST 4x4 Crew Cab 131.3 in. WB | 4,600 lbs | 4,550 lbs | 1,460 lbs | 210 | 235 | 3.92 | 131.3 |
| Laramie 4x4 Crew Cab 131.3 in. WB | 4,550 lbs | 4,609 lbs | 1,400 lbs | 210 | 235 | 3.92 | 131.3 |
| ST 4x2 Crew Cab 131.3 in. WB | 4,500 lbs | 4,326 lbs | 1,680 lbs | 210 | 235 | 3.55 | 131.3 |
| TRX 4x4 Crew Cab 131.3 in. WB | 4,500 lbs | 4,654 lbs | 1,360 lbs | 210 | 235 | 3.92 | 131.3 |
| ST 4x4 Extended Cab 131.3 in. WB | 3,950 lbs | 4,376 lbs | 1,630 lbs | 210 | 235 | 3.55 | 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.