Anyone with a Dodge truck experience?

[SFRT - Frenchy]

I'm looking to buy a 02-03 1500 with a 4.7. Will this thing tow a two horse trailer? How about a 3800lbs car on a flatbed?
The diesel is out of my price range, but do I really need a 5.7 for towing? Do I need a 2500 over a 1500 whatever the difference is?
How durable are those gasoline engines?
I'm looking around $16k, 60k miles max.

[saggs]

A 4.7 half ton will do what you describe.  But a bigger engine will do it better and last longer.  An engine will last a lot longer when you only use half it's power, then when you're pulling it's guts out all the time.    The transmission is a big deal when towing as well, especially if it's and automatic and you tow with it a lot, keep it serviced regularly or your tranny will die prematurely.   If you could I'd get the bigger engine, but I don't think you need the 2500 (3/4 ton) for just a 2 horse, or car flatbed, get an equalizer hitch if you are worried about the tongue weight, they help a lot when towing.

[Tac]

Ive never owned a pickup but I strongly suggest you look into the RAM 1500 '07 megacab trucks. I drove one for a day and omg its like a limo inside. Super comfortable and its a huge MF'r of a flatbed.

[Buzzard7]

I had an 02 4.7L. You would be better off with the bigger engine. The 4.7 will do it but you won't like it. At my altitude the 4.7L was a dog without towing anything.
 I am at 6500 feet in Colorado. Your at what 4500 in SLC? Get the bigger engine and make sure it has a good tranny cooler on it. Saggs is right about the power thing.
One of the reasons the company I work for is finally buying bigger rated engines for its semi's. The new trucks aren't at full throttle all the time like the older 435 N14's.

[MarineUS]

Inside isn't a concern on a work truck. It's a truck, not a luxury vehicle

I love my Dodge.

1500 with a V8, 360 mmmm

[CAP1]

I'm looking to buy a 02-03 1500 with a 4.7. Will this thing tow a two horse trailer? How about a 3800lbs car on a flatbed?
The diesel is out of my price range, but do I really need a 5.7 for towing? Do I need a 2500 over a 1500 whatever the difference is?
How durable are those gasoline engines?
I'm looking around $16k, 60k miles max.

from my limited experience on these engines, it'll pull both that you mentioned. the rear may sag slightly with the car trailer. be fure to install a transmission cooler.

[Tac]

Inside isn't a concern on a work truck. It's a truck, not a luxury vehicle

I love my Dodge.

1500 with a V8, 360 mmmm

if you can have both why not?

the megacab's rear area turns into what is literally a sofabed 

[Shifty]

I love my Dodge.

Me too!

[Masherbrum]

I'm looking to buy a 02-03 1500 with a 4.7. Will this thing tow a two horse trailer? How about a 3800lbs car on a flatbed?
The diesel is out of my price range, but do I really need a 5.7 for towing? Do I need a 2500 over a 1500 whatever the difference is?
How durable are those gasoline engines?
I'm looking around $16k, 60k miles max.

The entire .7 family of engines are garbage, with the 5.7 being the most "reliable".    The 3.7 and 4.7 are inferior engines, right down the very thin oil pans.    If you can get the 5.7 and want a Dodge, get the 5.7.    

[CAP1]

The entire .7 family of engines are garbage, with the 5.7 being the most "reliable".    The 3.7 and 4.7 are inferior engines, right down the very thin oil pans.    If you can get the 5.7 and want a Dodge, get the 5.7.    

 i've only had the opportunity to work on a few of the 4.7's. one of them i had to do a timing chain at around 78k miles. it was easier than it looked like it was gonna be.
 it was kinda funny, as the shop owner where i worked came out in the bay when i fired it up, and asked me if it was done. i told him yea.....and he goes "where's all the extra bolts? there's no way you did that that fast." i called him a couple expletives, and he laughed at me for that......then gave me the crapiest tow truck in the fleet to take home for the night. 

 couple customers that have them are happy so far........

[GFShill]

What are the recommended Dodge Truck engine options for general duty?

[ozrocker]

My brother's Boss' construction company bought strictly Dodge trucks. I would say 5 1500's, back in 06.
The one my brother drove all the time was diesel. The trucks always seemed to be in the shop
for one thing or another. Seemed like there was always something with the throttle body on both gas and
diesel engines.

                                                                                              <S> Oz
                                                                                                               

[Bronk]

All I can comment on is my R/T's engine has been flawless.  One other thing to think about is the rear diff.  I think the 9 1/4 only comes with the 5.9 standard.

[Slash27]

Go with the 5.7 and a 2500 is the better option for what you are wanting to pull. If you are going used why not a Chevy or Ford?

[Rash]

Now i'm driving a 2005 dodge 1500 4.7 with the towing package and gets about 15mpg.  Wouldn't want to pull much of a load with that setup.   I got it last summer for $10,500 and it has not been to the shop.  Before that, I drove a 2002 dodge 2500 standard trans with the diesel for a few months.  Lots of power.  Gas milage stayed around 20mpg.  I really liked driving it, but it was noisey and had no options.  Before that, I drove a 1999 chevy 4x4 2500 with the 6.0.  IT had good power, but only got about 12mpg.