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Durango Tow N Go: Hauling the Boat and the Whole Crew to the Crystal Coast
Jacksonville boat owners usually give up a row of seats to bring the trailer. The 2026 Dodge Durango does not make you choose. Here is how 8,700 lbs of towing and 3-row seating work together on the run to Morehead City and Swansboro.
$42,990
Starting MSRP, GT HEMI V8
25 hwy
Top MPG, V6 GT
360 hp
GT HEMI V8
8,700 lbs
Max towing, Tow N Go Package
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Seven Seats and an 8,700-lb Tow Rating: The SUV Built for Onslow County Boat Days
Most 3-row SUVs top out around 5,000 lbs of towing, which sounds fine until you actually weigh a loaded boat trailer. The 2026 Durango is the only 3-row SUV in the Dodge lineup, and a HEMI V8 trim with the Tow N Go Package pulls up to 8,700 lbs when properly equipped. That number covers the boat, the kids, and the cooler in one trip instead of two vehicles headed the same direction down NC-24.
For Jacksonville families who split weekends between soccer practice and the coast, that matters more than a spec sheet number. Nobody has to ride in a second car just because the boat is coming along.
Best fit: GT HEMI V8 — standard AWD, the 8,700-lb tow ceiling, and the lowest entry price into V8 towing in the lineup.
Ramp Day at Morehead City: Towing the Boat Without Losing a Seat
Morehead City's waterfront ramp is a common Saturday run for Onslow County boat owners, about 45 minutes down US-70 from Jacksonville. It is also where the Durango's dual role shows up clearest: one vehicle handles the launch, the parking, and the ride home with everyone still buckled in.
A HEMI V8 Durango with the Tow N Go Package covers most center-console and bass boats that launch out of Morehead City. Weigh your specific rig, boat plus trailer plus gear, and check it against the trim's rated capacity before you commit to a build.
Local Spots Near the Ramp
- Morehead City waterfront public boat ramp
- Sugarloaf Island day-use area
- Beaufort waterfront, a short hop across the bridge
- US-70 corridor connecting Jacksonville, Havelock, and Morehead City
Swansboro Sound and the White Oak River: Where Tow N Go Actually Gets Used
Swansboro sits about 25 minutes south of National Dodge on NC-24, right where the White Oak River meets the sound. Its public boat ramp is closer and quicker than Morehead City for an after-work or half-day trip, which is exactly the kind of short-notice run where towing capacity either works or it does not.
This is the shorter, more frequent trip for most Jacksonville boat owners. A Durango that tows confidently here earns its keep every week, not just on vacation weekends.
Local Spots on the Swansboro Run
- Swansboro public boat ramp on the White Oak River
- Icehouse Waterfront Park
- Hammocks Beach State Park ferry landing
- NC-24 corridor from Jacksonville to Swansboro
Camper Runs to Croatan National Forest with the Whole Crew Along
Not every trip is about a boat. Croatan National Forest stretches along US-70 between Havelock and New Bern, and it is a regular camper destination for Onslow County families who want a weekend away from the base without a long drive. A HEMI V8 Durango with the Tow N Go Package handles most small to mid-size travel trailers on that route, with all seven seats still available for the trip out.
That is the practical case for the Durango over a two-row SUV: the same vehicle that tows the camper also seats the grandparents, the kids, and the dog for the ride there.
Before you tow: weigh your specific trailer and gear, and confirm it against the rated capacity of the exact trim you are buying. Capacity varies by engine and package, not just by "Durango" as a name.
Which Durango Trim Fits Your Towing
| Trim | Starting MSRP | Max Towing | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| GT (V6) | $38,495 | 6,200 lbs | Light-duty towing, jet skis, a small camper |
| GT (HEMI V8) | $42,990 | 8,700 lbs | Recommended: entry point into full towing capacity |
| GT HEMI Plus | $44,490 | 8,700 lbs | Same towing, added comfort features |
| R/T 392 Launch Edition | $49,995 | 8,700 lbs | Buyers who want more power alongside the same tow rating |
| SRT Hellcat | $79,995 | 8,700 lbs | Performance-first buyers, same tow ceiling as GT HEMI |
Towing figures require the Tow N Go Package and proper equipment. Starting MSRP excludes $1,995 destination charge, tax, title, and fees. Get pre-qualified before you build your Durango.
FAQ: Towing and Family Seating in the Durango
Can the Dodge Durango tow a boat and still seat the whole family?
Yes. The 2026 Durango is the only 3-row SUV in the Dodge lineup, so it seats up to 7 while a HEMI V8 trim with the Tow N Go Package pulls up to 8,700 lbs, when properly equipped. You do not have to choose between the boat and the back row.
What is the closest boat ramp to Jacksonville for towing to the coast?
Swansboro's public ramp on the White Oak River is about 25 minutes from National Dodge via NC-24, and Morehead City's waterfront ramp is roughly 45 minutes further down US-70. Both are common weekend runs for Onslow County boat owners.
Which Durango trim is best for towing a boat?
The GT HEMI V8 is the entry point into the Durango's 8,700-lb tow rating, since every HEMI V8 trim comes standard with AWD and can be built with the Tow N Go Package. It is the most affordable way into V8 towing capacity in the lineup.
Can the Durango tow a camper to Croatan National Forest?
A HEMI V8 Durango with the Tow N Go Package handles most small to mid-size travel trailers, which covers the majority of campers headed to Croatan National Forest sites off US-70 between Havelock and New Bern. Weigh your specific trailer and gear against the trim's rated capacity before you go.
Do I need a special hitch setup to tow 8,700 lbs with the Durango?
Yes. The 8,700-lb figure requires the factory Tow N Go Package, a weight-distributing hitch, and a trailer brake controller. Skipping any of those pieces lowers your safely rated capacity below the advertised number.
How many people can ride along while the Durango is towing?
The Durango seats up to 7 across three rows regardless of what it is towing, so the whole crew, kids, coolers, and life jackets included, can ride down to the water together instead of splitting into two vehicles.
Ready to Hitch Up and Head to the Coast?
See current Durango inventory at National Dodge in Jacksonville, NC and talk towing packages with our team.