What weight class is a Dodge Dakota?
The Dodge Dakota is a midsize pickup truck, slotting between the compact and full-size pickup truck classes. It is considered a midsize or "mid-duty" truck, offering more capability than a compact pickup but not as much as a full-size model.
What is the Weight Class of the Dodge Dakota?
The Dodge Dakota falls into the midsize pickup truck weight class. Specifically, the Dakota has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) ranging from 4,800 to 6,050 pounds, depending on the model year and configuration. This places it squarely in the midsize pickup segment, which typically includes trucks with a GVWR between 4,500 and 7,000 pounds.
Comparing the Dakota to Other Pickup Truck Classes
To put the Dakota's weight class in context, here's a quick overview of the different pickup truck categories:
- Compact Pickups: GVWR under 4,500 pounds (e.g. Ford Ranger, Chevrolet Colorado)
- Midsize Pickups: GVWR between 4,500 and 7,000 pounds (e.g. Dodge Dakota, Toyota Tacoma)
- Full-Size Pickups: GVWR over 7,000 pounds (e.g. Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado)
So the Dodge Dakota, with its 4,800 to 6,050 pound GVWR, firmly falls into the midsize pickup truck class, offering more capability than compact trucks but less than the heavy-duty full-size models.
Key Factors that Determine a Truck's Weight Class
A vehicle's weight class is primarily determined by its gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), which is the maximum operating weight of the vehicle, including the vehicle itself, all passengers, cargo, and fluids. Other factors that can influence a truck's weight class include:
- Payload capacity (how much weight the truck can carry in the bed and cabin)
- Towing capacity (how much weight the truck can pull)
- Engine size and power
- Suspension and chassis design
So in summary, the Dodge Dakota is considered a midsize pickup truck due to its GVWR falling within the 4,500 to 7,000 pound range typical of that vehicle class.
