OT: towing with a 4.7L

[hemi68charger]

Hey gang..
Anyone have a Quad Cab with a 4.7L that's towed a full-size car ('69 Charger Daytona)? I'm looking to get a used '06-'08 and want to know if it's a joke to pull with a 4.7L or should I without a doubt stick to a 5.7L....

Thanks..

[moparstuart]

Hey gang..
Anyone have a Quad Cab with a 4.7L that's towed a full-size car ('69 Charger Daytona)? I'm looking to get a used '06-'08 and want to know if it's a joke to pull with a 4.7L or should I without a doubt stick to a 5.7L....

Thanks..

i have never towed with one , but i sell of ton of those motors used and for big bucks .  The hemi is much stouter .   The 4.7 is too small .         We sell a few hemi's for dropped values but not alot .  I sell a couple 4.7's a month at least .

[RD]

i towed my 73 rr to minnesota, from kansas, and back and got 11 mpg doing 65-70mph.  pulled it like a dream, i have a 5.7 in a 05 quad cab 4x4.

[hemi68charger]

i towed my 73 rr to minnesota, from kansas, and back and got 11 mpg doing 65-70mph.  pulled it like a dream, i have a 5.7 in a 05 quad cab 4x4.

That was my experience in the Durango I have with the 5.7L.. It did great with the Daytona.. There are just way more 4.7L's out there for sale at a good price then 5.7L's... But, I'm sticking with getting a used '06-'08 5.7 QC with cash...

[bull]

I don't see a problem with the 4.7 really. How many times a year will you be towing the Daytona? If you're not going to tow frequently I would get a 4.7, unless money is no object. From what I understand the 5.7 doesn't like anything less than 89 octane fuel so when you add the cost of that to the lower mpg you're spending more money for unused potential. It will cost less up front too. The 4.7 will have more low-end torque which is nice starting out. I think people often think too much about power they will rarely use and not enough about versatility. These are the same people who commute to work 7 miles a day in Cummins turbo diesel, rarely allowing the engine to heat up properly, and then wonder why it craps out after 150k miles.

[Charger74]

I've towed my 73 Charger with my 03 QC 4.7.   It didn't have any problems.  Of course I've only towed it to other parts of town. but it pulled it just fine.

[moparstuart]

I've towed my 73 Charger with my 03 QC 4.7.   It didn't have any problems.  Of course I've only towed it to other parts of town. but it pulled it just fine.

ticking time bomb , the timing chain guides are a really bad design , also it has oiling problems very similar to the 2.7 v6 motor .  There is a reason i sell a ton of these motors .

[Old Moparz]

Troy,

I think that as long as the truck has a factory tow package you should be okay. The package should have the HD alternator, transmission cooler, different axle ratio, HD springs, etc. Just adding a hitch receiver & brake controller won't be the best choice, so be cautious if a salesperson tells you "We can add it for you." Whatever the tow capacity is you need to remember that you have to subtract for cargo & passengers, so there will be even less available weight for the trailer & car.

My 5.7 Ram pulls my B-Bodies with ease & it has the tow package. The capacity is over 8000 pounds, but I think the most I've towed is my flatbed trailer with the complete Road Runner. Not sure what the trailer weighs, but I'm guessing under 2000 pounds. Like Bull stated, if you aren't towing often, or even up mountains, you should be fine. For myself though, I really don't see a drastic improvement in MPG between the 2 engines & would rather have the higher tow capacity or the ability to pull easier. I also pull a travel trailer, so the 4.7 wouldn't work for me.

EDIT....

Just found this on another forum I am on, a question on 4.7 towing. Some interesting comments & info on what it's like to tow with that motor:

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/24099484.cfm

[1970Moparmann]

I had a 2000 4.7 and I towed my 70 RT to Mopar Nationals and back - about 12 hours of towing.  Never did it again.   The engine and trans definitely was tired between all the down shifting, up shifting...   My 5.4 liter 1500 Ford Supercrew even struggled a little.  I finally got a Diesel 2500........

If your not going far, you'll be fine.  If you tow a good amount though, I would get something that can handle it. 

[Aero426]

Troy, as to the 4.7, the real answer is, how is the truck setup for towing?      For 2006, with an automatic 3.55 rear gear the max tow capacity is 6450 lbs which is just in the ballpark.   With 3.92 gears, it increases to 7450 lbs.    This is a based on a regular cab long bed 2wd.    You will start deducting capacity by going to a Quad Cab or 4wd.      For instance, a Quad Cab long bed 2wd is down to 6100 lbs and 7100 lbs depending on rear gears.     Also, the 4.7 with a manual trans has a much lower tow rating. 

I would say that it can pull an open trailer, but it's on the upper end of the trucks capability. You will be working the truck, that is for sure.   You are not going to be towing every day either.   But I also would pay heed to what Stu is saying on the reliability issue.    Personally, I would lean against it because of that.  

[Charger74]

I've towed my 73 Charger with my 03 QC 4.7.   It didn't have any problems.  Of course I've only towed it to other parts of town. but it pulled it just fine.

ticking time bomb , the timing chain guides are a really bad design , also it has oiling problems very similar to the 2.7 v6 motor .  There is a reason i sell a ton of these motors .

Yeah I know.  THey are not the best motors for towing.  Heck if I could afford it and the downtime, I would swap in a 3g hemi upgrade and have some fun with it that way.