How much can a 2026 Dodge Durango tow?
The 2026 Dodge Durango can tow up to 8,700 pounds, but that maximum applies to specific configurations, not every Durango. Dodge publishes the figure for the GT HEMI V8 with Tow ’n Go, the R/T 392 Launch Edition, and the SRT Hellcat. A properly equipped V6-powered GT is rated up to 6,200 pounds, while a properly equipped GT with the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 but without Tow ’n Go is rated up to 7,200 pounds. These are maximum loaded-trailer ratings; the applicable limit for a particular SUV depends on its equipment and load.
How much can each 2026 Dodge Durango configuration tow?
The 2026 Dodge Durango’s published towing figures range from 6,200 to 8,700 pounds. The key distinction for Boerne shoppers is that a 5.7-liter V8 alone does not qualify a GT for the highest rating: the GT HEMI needs Tow ’n Go to reach 8,700 pounds.
- GT with 3.6-liter V6: Up to 6,200 pounds when properly equipped.
- GT with 5.7-liter HEMI V8, without Tow ’n Go: Up to 7,200 pounds when properly equipped.
- GT HEMI V8 with Tow ’n Go: Up to 8,700 pounds.
- R/T 392 Launch Edition: 8,700 pounds of standard towing capability.
- SRT Hellcat: Up to 8,700 pounds.
What does the 8,700-pound maximum mean for a camper or boat?
The 2026 Dodge Durango’s towing maximum refers to the fully loaded trailer, not just its empty or advertised dry weight. A camper’s water, batteries, supplies, and installed accessories add weight. A boat setup includes the boat and trailer as well as fuel, equipment, and gear. Those additions matter even when an empty trailer appears comfortably below the Durango’s maximum.
Start with the trailer’s gross vehicle weight rating, then find its actual loaded weight when possible. The loaded trailer must fit within the towing rating of the specific Durango. Tongue weight also presses down on the SUV and uses some of the capacity available for passengers and cargo. A family, luggage, and a loaded cooler can make the SUV’s load limit important before trailer weight reaches its published towing maximum.
For example, a travel trailer weighing 7,000 pounds when loaded exceeds the V6 GT’s 6,200-pound maximum. It falls below the published maximum for a properly equipped GT HEMI without Tow ’n Go, but that does not settle the entire towing calculation. Passengers, cargo, tongue weight, and the vehicle’s other applicable ratings still need to be considered together.
Which Durango makes sense for the way you tow?
The V6 GT is a starting point for shoppers whose loaded trailer falls within its 6,200-pound maximum. Its 3.6-liter engine produces 295 horsepower. That configuration may suit a lighter utility trailer, smaller boat setup, or recreational equipment, provided the complete loaded setup stays within the SUV’s limits.
The GT HEMI V8 deserves a closer look when a trailer approaches or exceeds the V6 rating. Its 5.7-liter engine produces 360 horsepower. Without Tow ’n Go, its published towing maximum is 7,200 pounds; with Tow ’n Go, it rises to 8,700 pounds. For a shopper comparing V8-equipped GTs, that equipment difference matters more than the engine name alone. Use the towing configuration as a guide when you explore Dodge Durango models.
The R/T 392 Launch Edition offers an 8,700-pound standard towing rating with its 6.4-liter V8 and standard all-wheel drive. The SRT Hellcat also reaches an 8,700-pound maximum and pairs that figure with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8. Neither rating permits a trailer heavier than 8,700 pounds. More engine power and a higher tow rating are different things.
The Durango is a three-row SUV, so cabin needs belong in the decision too. Consider how many people will ride along, what must fit inside, and what the trailer will carry. Folding rear seats provide space for cargo when fewer seating positions are needed, but cargo inside the SUV still counts toward its load limits. If fuel use is important, compare the EPA-estimated combined mpg for the exact engine and drivetrain under consideration rather than assuming V6 and V8 models have the same rating.
What should you check before hitching up?
A 2026 Dodge Durango’s published towing maximum is a starting point for planning, not a substitute for checking the complete setup. Before a trip from Boerne, work through these items:
- Identify the exact Durango configuration. Confirm the engine, drivetrain, and whether a GT HEMI has Tow ’n Go. Do not assign the 8,700-pound GT rating to a V8 model without that equipment.
- Calculate loaded trailer weight. Include the trailer itself and everything carried on or in it. A dry-weight figure does not account for gear packed for a trip.
- Account for tongue weight and SUV occupants. Passengers, pets, luggage, accessories, and weight on the hitch all affect the load carried by the Durango.
- Match the towing hardware to the setup. The hitch, ball mount, trailer connections, tires, and braking arrangement must be suitable for the trailer and comply with applicable requirements.
- Check actual weights when practical. Weighing the loaded SUV and trailer provides a clearer picture than estimating from an empty-trailer listing.
Trailer loading matters as well. Too little tongue weight can contribute to sway, while excessive tongue weight can use up the SUV’s available load capacity. Secure cargo and place it appropriately rather than treating total trailer weight as the only number that matters.
How can Boerne shoppers narrow the choice?
For shoppers in Boerne, TX, the useful next step is to compare a trailer’s loaded weight against the specific 2026 Dodge Durango configurations above. Ancira CJDR in San Antonio is a place to continue that comparison by engine and towing equipment. Bring the trailer’s weight information and an estimate of the people and cargo that will ride in the SUV; those details make the choice more meaningful than the lineup’s maximum tow number alone.
2026 Dodge Durango towing questions
Can every 2026 Dodge Durango tow 8,700 pounds?
No. The 8,700-pound figure applies to the GT HEMI V8 with Tow ’n Go, the R/T 392 Launch Edition, and the SRT Hellcat. Dodge publishes lower maxima for the properly equipped V6 GT and the GT HEMI V8 without Tow ’n Go.
Does Tow ’n Go matter on a 2026 Durango GT HEMI?
Yes. Dodge publishes a maximum of 7,200 pounds for a properly equipped 5.7-liter GT HEMI without Tow ’n Go and up to 8,700 pounds with Tow ’n Go. That difference makes the equipment a key point to check when choosing a GT for a heavier trailer.
Can a 2026 Dodge Durango tow a travel trailer?
Yes, if the travel trailer’s fully loaded weight and tongue weight fit the ratings for the specific Durango, with passengers and cargo accounted for. Choose by the loaded setup, not the trailer’s dry weight or the Durango lineup’s highest advertised figure.