I loled: Dodge Durango towing commercial

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Mar 11, 2004
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I liked it and I haven't really like Chrysler's ad/marketing for a long time. Gets the point across (like was mentioned, more powerful engine and higher tow rating).

Really the only thing I take exception to is them claiming the Durango is a titan.

Then again, I can also see that the commercial is very tongue-in-cheek so I don't spout off like an idiot while talking out of my ass. :p
 

WackyDan

Diamond Member
Jan 26, 2004
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You're probably seeing the traction control and AWD system freaking out when it can't figure out what's going on. The car being dragged backwards is not something that it's probably programmed to deal with.

Nope. The new Explorer is basically a front wheel drive. Another interesting note... If the transfer case to the rear axle overheats on the AWD models, it automatically disengages and reverts to only front wheel drive. So, marketing the Explorer as a capable 4x4 is somewhat lame of Ford.
 
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Throckmorton

Lifer
Aug 23, 2007
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Durangos have been garbage since they were first released, not sure why they keep making them

They didn't keep making them. The Durango was gone for a couple years, and was just revived on the Grand Cherokee's Mercedes G series based platform.
 

Throckmorton

Lifer
Aug 23, 2007
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Interesting how people complain that it's an unfair test.


That's the point... to show how useless the new Explorer is as a truck.
 

Meghan54

Lifer
Oct 18, 2009
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Interesting how people complain that it's an unfair test.


That's the point... to show how useless the new Explorer is as a truck.



Well, unfair to the Ford only because it's not a truck any more.

The Durango, equally equipped with a V-6, has a tow rating 1200# higher than the Ford. With its V-8, the Durango surpasses the Ford's tow rating by 2000#. No contest.
 

mvbighead

Diamond Member
Apr 20, 2009
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Meh, somewhere around 0:15 in the video, it suggests that each vehicle is equipped with their most powerful engine option. So, while it may not be apples to apples comparison, it is still in a similar ballpark.

I would never buy a Durango, but at least from what they're showing, they're putting the best of each lineup against each other. It's on Ford if their lineup cannot even come close to competing.
 
Aug 23, 2000
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The difference is, even after this test. The Ford will be worth something. The Dodge is destined to be living on a tote the note lot in the near future.
 

LTC8K6

Lifer
Mar 10, 2004
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The difference is, even after this test. The Ford will be worth something. The Dodge is destined to be living on a tote the note lot in the near future.

The new Durango is an excellent vehicle, actually. The interior is very well done, too. It's basically a slightly extended 2012 Grand Cherokee.

I think it looks very good, too.

They do need to drop some weight off of both of them, and get more gears.

The 2012 Hemi versions will have a new 6 speed, which will hopefully be a great improvement.
 

Drako

Lifer
Jun 9, 2007
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Yeah, I'm not sure why anyone would be an Explorer over an Edge or a Flex.
 

LTC8K6

Lifer
Mar 10, 2004
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Still don't understand why Ford didn't have the V6 Ecoboost engine as an option.

I don't know. It's in the Flex, which is the same platform.

I wonder what modders could get out of the 2.0T? But then that's only in Front Wheel Drive models...bah!

They could at least offer the 3.7L V6.

I was expecting the higher torque and wide band of the 2.0T to make it move the Explorer okay, but that's apparently not the case. And it costs a lot more, too.
 

angminas

Diamond Member
Dec 17, 2006
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Reminds me of a gun control video I saw once. They were shooting watermelons to prove that an assault rifle is less dangerous than a hunting rifle because it didn't make the watermelon explode.
 

LikeLinus

Lifer
Jul 25, 2001
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I think that was the point they were trying to make, the Durango's optional engine is much more powerful than anything you can get in the explorer.

What is the true primary use of these vehicles 95% of the time? I'll give you a hint, it isn't towing.

I don't think I've ever seen a Durango/Explorer towing anything. Being towed, yes...towing, no. Occasionally you will see one towing a small boat or a lawn mower, but come on. You're most likely going to purchase a truck if you plan on doing a lot of towing. Otherwise these are made for taking kids to school and running to the grocery store. So having better gas mileage is more important than being able to drag another SUV lol.
 

brblx

Diamond Member
Mar 23, 2009
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Nope. The new Explorer is basically a front wheel drive. Another interesting note... If the transfer case to the rear axle overheats on the AWD models, it automatically disengages and reverts to only front wheel drive. So, marketing the Explorer as a capable 4x4 is somewhat lame of Ford.

it's all gotten rather cunfusing, because makers can't agree on their terminology.

i like the nissan and infiniti trucks with an 'auto' setting that is basically fulltime 4WD.

and i'm not sure that 4 low actually exists, despite there being a setting for it.
 

LTC8K6

Lifer
Mar 10, 2004
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What is the true primary use of these vehicles 95% of the time? I'll give you a hint, it isn't towing.

I don't think I've ever seen a Durango/Explorer towing anything. Being towed, yes...towing, no. Occasionally you will see one towing a small boat or a lawn mower, but come on. You're most likely going to purchase a truck if you plan on doing a lot of towing. Otherwise these are made for taking kids to school and running to the grocery store. So having better gas mileage is more important than being able to drag another SUV lol.

But to get that better gas mileage in the Ford, you have to buy a wimpy and expensive 4 cylinder turbo. It will probably take you a long time to get back the money in fuel savings over just buying the 3.5L V6 and having the power if you need it.

There may even be extra maintenance costs with the 2.0T, I haven't looked.

In fact, it looks like the Equinox with the 2.4L may be just as quick(slow) as the Explorer 2.0T, and it gets better economy.

EDIT - Okay the Equinox is smaller, but it is actually quicker, apparently, and gets better mpg with a NA 2.4L 4 cylinder.
 
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EightySix Four

Diamond Member
Jul 17, 2004
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You want to see the Explorer's fronts spin madly as the Durango drags the Explorer backwards?

If the AWD hooks that won't be the case. It looked retarded in that video because of the traction control and transfer case freaking out. If it's moving forward that won't be the problem.
 

LTC8K6

Lifer
Mar 10, 2004
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If the AWD hooks that won't be the case. It looked retarded in that video because of the traction control and transfer case freaking out. If it's moving forward that won't be the problem.

The EcoBoost engine option is Front Wheel Drive only....
 

EightySix Four

Diamond Member
Jul 17, 2004
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The EcoBoost engine option is Front Wheel Drive only....

I'm not talking about the 2.0T EcoBoost that is available, I'm asking for the 3.5L EcoBoost from the Flex w/AWD since they are the same platform. Similar HP to the V8 Durango but the torque would come on much earlier with the turbos if you brake boost off the line.

EDIT: It'd be funny as hell for the flex to pull the Durango in a commercial.
 
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LTC8K6

Lifer
Mar 10, 2004
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I'm not talking about the 2.0T EcoBoost that is available, I'm asking for the 3.5L EcoBoost from the Flex w/AWD since they are the same platform. Similar HP to the V8 Durango but the torque would come on much earlier with the turbos if you brake boost off the line.

EDIT: It'd be funny as hell for the flex to pull the Durango in a commercial.

Then Dodge can put the 6.4L SRT8 engine in the Durango for the test...

Since you are inventing combos that don't exist. :biggrin:

Te EB Flex can tow 4500#