How to Pull a Trailer With a Dodge Dakota Quad Cab

A trailer can increase your Dodge Dakota Quad Cab's ability to haul heavy loads, but you should always pay close attention to GVW or gross vehicle weight rating, and tongue weight. Both the truck and the trailer will have gross vehicle weight ratings established by the manufactures. Tongue weight ratings will be in the owner's manual, and in the specifications for the trailer hitch. If there is a conflict between the tongue weight or GVW of the truck and hitch, follow the lower guideline, and remember the GVW includes the weight of the trailer itself.

Things You'll Need

• Dodge Dakota Quad Cab equipped with trailer hitch and light connector
• Trailer
• Safety pin or lock

Instructions

Hooking the Trailer Up

1. Raise the trailer tongue. Place the trailer's tongue jack or a jack stand underneath the tongue and raise the trailer tongue to a height to where it sits above the level of the hitch ball on the truck.

2. Back the truck up to the trailer. If you are not experienced in doing this, it may be helpful to have an assistant standing by the trailer guiding you. Back the truck up until the trailer coupling is above the hitch ball. Be careful not to hit the trailer coupling with the truck's bumper.

3. Lower the trailer coupling onto the hitch ball.

4. Raise the tongue jack, if equipped.

5. Close the lock on top of the trailer coupling.

6. Insert a safety pin or padlock into the hole in the trailer coupling lock.

7. Connect the trailer wiring connector to the truck's trailer wiring connector.

8. Attach the safety chains. The trailer should be equipped with safety chains, mounted on either side of the tongue. These chains should be crossed and then attached to the holes on the trailer hitch on either side of the hitch ball. In the event that the trailer becomes separated from the tow vehicle, the crossed chains will act as a cradle to catch the trailer tongue until the vehicle can be stopped.

Driving a Dodge Dakota Quad Cab With a Trailer

1. Practice maneuvering the truck and trailer in an empty parking lot before you take it out on the road, especially if you intend to use the trailer in situations where you must back up a lot.

2. Be aware of the overall increased length of the vehicle with the trailer attached while driving. This is especially important while turning, backing up and changing lanes.

3. Remember that heavy loads will increase the distance it takes you're vehicle to stop.

4. Remember that the trailer will decrease your rear visibility, especially enclosed trailers.

5. Remember that when you are backing, up the trailer will go in the opposite direction of the truck, meaning if you want the trailer to turn right, the back of the truck must turn left, so you must turn the steering wheel left.

Disconnecting the Trailer

1. Back the trailer into position.

2. Place wheel chocks or wooden blocks around a wheel on each side.

3. Disconnect the trailer wiring connector from the tow vehicle.

4. Remove the safety chains from the vehicle.

5. Remove the safety pin or lock from the trailer coupling.

6. Open the lock on top of the trailer coupling.

7. Lower the tongue jack if equipped or place a jack stand underneath the trailer tongue.

8. Lightweight trailers can simply be lifted off the hitch ball. Heavier trailers must use the tongue jack to be lifted off.

9. Close the lock on top of the trailer coupling and reinsert the lock or safety pin.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't let the trailer's wiring connector rest on the ground. Dirt and moisture can cause the electrical contacts to corrode. It's best to tuck it inside the trailer's frame or tape a plastic bag over it to protect it from the elements.

• Always check the brake, tail and turn signal light on your trailer for proper operation before each use.

References

• "Chilton Dodge Durango & Dakota: 2001 through 2003 Repair Manual"; Jay Storer; 2005

Resources

• Trailer Life Magazine