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RedQC
Dodge Dakota
8/29/2001
14:58:01
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 Subject: Trailer Hitch
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I have a 2000 Dakota QC, 4.7 V8, automatic. I'm looking to put a trailer hitch on myself...any suggestions? Good or bad experiences welcome! I will be towing a boat or a flat bed trailer with another auto on it.
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Demon-Xanth
Dodge Dakota
8/29/2001
15:16:32
|  RE: Trailer Hitch
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Class 3 reciever w/ 2" ball. Check the weight on the car before towing it, otherwise it'll be easy to overload with the car+trailer weight
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Jimmyc
Dodge Dakota
8/29/2001
22:37:21
| RE: Trailer Hitch
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I have a Suzuki Samurai (non-tagged) that I use in the woods where I hunt. I tow it around on a flatbed practically all Fall and Winter. My truck has a class IV hitch on it and did rather well last year. I use a 2" ball and pintle dual purpose hitch. This has a pintle that holds the tongue down on the ball and locks in place with a pin. Sounds like overkill, but I used to use just a 2" ball and mount, until something happened to my dad last year. He was towing a Ditch Witch with his Cummins when someone pulled out in front of him on the Highway. When he mashed brakes (even with trailer brakes) the tongue came up off the ball, even though it was latched. Luckily he didn't hit her and the safety chains held, but he mashed up his bumper and Linexed tailgate. The dual purpose runs about $100 while a regular mount and ball is $30-40. The cost is a bit more but for me, doing a lot of towing, the piece of mind is worth it. I towed a friend's RV last year. It was about 800lb from my max capacity. The truck did fine, but the trailer tried to pull me around a little bit, even taking it slow. I try to limit my max weight to 4000-4500lb.
01 QC 4.7 3.92LSD 4x4 Flame Red 5-speed
98 RC 3.9 2x4 Dark Green auto
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Jeff
Dodge Dakota
8/30/2001
13:21:08
| RE: Trailer Hitch
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I installed a DrawTite Just called and found a local dealor who carried it. It was 4 bolts and took about 1/2 an hour very easy to do. I also heard you can get a kit that plugs into the rear brake light socket and then you do not have to splice any wires...
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Shark
Dodge Dakota
8/31/2001
14:50:59
| RE: Trailer Hitch
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WHen you installed the DrawTite hitch, was it a class 3, and was there any drilling to fit the piece to the frame?
The wiring mounted to the brake light, what manufacturer?
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Jeff
Dodge Dakota
8/31/2001
16:19:58
| RE: Trailer Hitch
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Message:
It was class 3, it rates at like 8000lbs I think...
It bolted into existing holes in the frame. no drilling what so ever.
The biggest pain was supporting it while I bolted in it. A bucket or your jack should work.
Ill try to find out what mfg that brake light was.
Also I paid arround $110 for the hitch and it came with everything needed to mount it.
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Tim Schafer
Dodge Dakota
8/31/2001
16:35:19
|  RE: Trailer Hitch
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Message:
You can get the wiring needed from your local NAPA
Auto parts.
Slicker than snot
Tim
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RedQC
Dodge Dakota
9/04/2001
14:17:38
|  RE: Trailer Hitch
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Message:
Thanks for all the help so far...I'm still shopping around, so keep the ideas coming.
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Demon-Xanth
Dodge Dakota
9/04/2001
14:29:28
| RE: Trailer Hitch
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Just incase you didn't know:
the ratings above 500/5000Lbs require a load leveling hitch (and once you use one you'll see why, huge diff). But I wouldn't recommend a Dakota take much more than 4000Lbs anyways (9000LB 35' trailers can push a vehicle around a bit)
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Robert
Dodge Dakota
9/04/2001
14:51:55
| RE: Trailer Hitch
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Message:
Demon-Xanth,
100% agree. Class-3 hitches are what you want to install... or are what come installed with the towing package. But, you can't go by the class-3 rating for the Dakota. The class-3 rating is more than what the Dakota can handle. With any of the V-8 engines, you can pull much more than the truck can physically handle. You really have to find your exact vehicle in the manual, find the TOTAL truck-and-trailer weight, then subtract the truck weight to find out how big a trailer you can pull (safely). I have a CC, 4.7 4x4 with 3.55 and towing package. 5,000 lbs is the max.
With load-leveling and anti-sway equipment, I would pull more... but only if the trailer had brakes. I still wouldn't want to pull much more than 6,000 lbs. The Dakota is a tuff little truck, but it still is not a full size. Pulling power is not the only factor in towing. A bigger, heavier vehicle is also an important factor... in order to physically man-handle the trailer.
Don't forget, if you have 1,500 pounds of cargo in the bed... you really need to subtract that from the maximun trailer weight.
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DAK2
Gen III
9/05/2001
09:34:06
| RE: Trailer Hitch
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I've got a "00" ext cab with 3.9l and 5spd.
I installed a Hidden Hitch ClassIV frm JCWhitney
cost was $99 six bolt direct bolt on no holes to drill.Also remember If you don't have a sway bar on it ,it is very wise to get one ( I got the Hellwig Sport Tech )much better handling without trailer and a very noticeable increase in handling while towing (crosswinds,lane changing,
and vacuum pulls from semis passing).I pull a popup camper (aout 2200lbs).
Y2K DAK 3.9L 5 Spd OS/2 Keeps going&going&going
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Shark
Dodge Dakota
9/05/2001
10:21:49
| RE: Trailer Hitch
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Message:
Having some trouble finding a trailer hitch that doesn't involve removing my spare tire permanently. I have a full size spare, the tire and handling package. Any suggestions?
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DAK2
Gen III
9/05/2001
11:36:00
| RE: Trailer Hitch
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Message:
The Hidden Hitch bolts to the frame (existing frame holes ) it should not interfere with spare
tire. Most of the ones I've seen don't interfere
with spare. Dak1 had a Reese Hitch and it didn't interfere with spare either. What size tires do you have????
Y2K DAK 3.9L 5 Spd OS/2 Keeps going&going&going
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Jeff
Dodge Dakota
9/05/2001
13:09:26
| RE: Trailer Hitch
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Message:
My DrawTite did not require me to remove my spare.
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smittyt2
Dodge Dakota
9/05/2001
15:45:20
| RE: Trailer Hitch
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Does anyone have the hitches with the dual exhaust. That is my only real concern.
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Jimmyc
Dodge Dakota
9/06/2001
01:07:50
| RE: Trailer Hitch
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smittyt2 I don't personally. I opted for the 3" single Flowmaster. That was a question I had asked the shop also, as I have the factory heavy duty and towing packages. He said he has done several of these (dual exhausts) with the hitches and spares in place. He also said he's done it with several different types of mufflers. Mandrel bent with stainless tip and all welded goes for $300-400 depending on type of muffler(s).
01 QC 4.7 3.92LSD 4wd 5-speed
98 RC 3.9 2wd auto
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Mike
Dodge Dakota
9/06/2001
01:08:05
| RE: Trailer Hitch
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Message:
Hey,
Go to your local U-Haul. I got the hitch on my 2000 v-6 installed there. It's a Draw-Tite manufactured hitch. i can get the over-counter price if you'd like. I upgraded my stock tires, and had no problem with teh larger tire/wheel fitting under the hitch. I'm probalby going to get a custom exhaust routed around the hitch, if i go that route.
HTH
Mike
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Jim
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
7/26/2003
14:32:43
| pulling a trailer
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I have a 2002 Dodge Dakota 4X4 extended cab with a 4.7 V-8, automatic,a/c,16" all weather tires,and step bumper. How large a travel trailer can I pull with this truck without any problems? I was looking at a 25' trailer and it weighs 3800lbs. I can go smaller. Just dont want to have to put ad ons like trans cooler etc.... Any ideas?
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Scott
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
7/26/2003
20:16:21
| RE: Trailer Hitch
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Message:
Check your owners manual , it should be around 4800-5000lbs. for the towing capacity on a 4.7 auto. 4WD.
I pull a 26ft Keystone that`s right at 4700lbs with mine ,`02 QC AWD SLT 4.7 auto. and is does pretty good here in FL.
I wouldn`t want to pull it everyday , or in the mountains though.
You will definately want to install a tranny cooler 50-100 bucks , and an elec. brake controller 60-80 bucks.
And don`t plan on using that step bumper , you do know you`ll need a class 3 hitch?!
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Russ Nye
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/21/2003
15:39:28
| RE: Trailer Hitch
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I have a 1997 with the 5.2 liter motor and the factory towing package. It's the 4wd club cab. Will this be able to handle a tow dolly pulling a Nova about 300 miles? Thank you.
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Kowalski
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/21/2003
16:45:24
| RE: Trailer Hitch
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Message:
Yes.
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