Towing Question

mdk23 · #1 03-11-2009, 04:26 AM

Hello,

Newbie to the site here. I just bought a used 05 Dakota , 4.7 Quad Cab 4 x4. How do I tell if it is tow ready? I have a bass boat I will want to haul with it and want to be ready for it when summer rolls around. I don't see a wiring harness upon a quick look. Just wondering if anyone could point me to a place where I can buy a towing package to add to it? Or should I have dealer install one? Any advice would be appreciated. I am just wondering how much the tow package would cost too. Thanks again.

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paul05dak · #2 03-11-2009, 07:21 AM

welcome to the forum. If your truck didn't come with a factory towing package, you can get one reletivly cheap (150 approx I think) from UHaul or any boating dealership like Alpin house, bass pro.... How heavy is your boat, trailer and gear? What gear ratio do you have? once you have this info, check out the chart here
http://www.trailerboats.com/towratin...t=&max_tlimit=

mdk23 · #3 03-11-2009, 09:30 AM

Thanks for the information. The boat and trailer weighs about 2100 lbs. Not real heavy, but probably too heavy for bumper hauling, right? Would you recommend buying a hitch such as this http://www.mopardodge.com/accessorie...ailerhitch.htm

There are some cheaper ones out there too that say they are easy to install. I was wondering if they are relatively easy to install. Furthermore, how easy or hard is it to add the wiring harness? I feel pretty confident about the trailer hitch, but don't know a lot about the wiring. Also, I know the engine size, but it there an easy way to find out the gear ratio? Thanks for any more advice.

Matt

donkeypunch · #4 03-11-2009, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdk23

Thanks for the information. The boat and trailer weighs about 2100 lbs. Not real heavy, but probably too heavy for bumper hauling, right? Would you recommend buying a hitch such as this http://www.mopardodge.com/accessorie...ailerhitch.htm

There are some cheaper ones out there too that say they are easy to install. I was wondering if they are relatively easy to install. Furthermore, how easy or hard is it to add the wiring harness? I feel pretty confident about the trailer hitch, but don't know a lot about the wiring. Also, I know the engine size, but it there an easy way to find out the gear ratio? Thanks for any more advice.

Matt

To find out what gear ratio you have, you can always run your vin# to the nearest Dodge dealership and get a spec sheet. I am personally a fan of factory equipment and installed the factory hitch and wiring harness on my 06 ST. You are looking at about 30 min. max on the hitch. The wiring harness will take you about an hour (assuming you have a lift). The wiring harness is not quite "plug and play" like advertised. You have to splice a wire into the existing harness on the truck, and run the trailer brake wire into the cab. If you are not used to automotive electrical, I would consider having a shop install the factory wiring harness. Take into consideration, you only have to splice in one wire...but again, if you are not comfortable...take it to a shop.

P.S. If you chose the factory wiring harness and decide to install it yourself, take a few of these things into consideration:

Have a bag of zip ties staged in the event you need to quick draw and hog tie the harness.

Prepare a rotory tool (Dremel) for clearancing the 7-pin connector mounting location. The connector didn't clip in when I pulled it out of the package.

If you don't have a soldering iron, get one. (for the one spliced wire)

mdk23 · #5 03-11-2009, 10:27 AM

Thanks... I will order the tow hitch today I think. The wiring harness I think I will have installed, cuz I am not a wiring genius by any stretch. I was hoping it would just be "plug and play" as you said. Oh well. Thanks again.

Altair · #6 03-11-2009, 10:33 AM

Welcome to DF!

paul05dak · #7 03-11-2009, 10:49 AM

Does your trailer have surge brakes or electric? If Surge, all you need is the 4 prong plug and you can get that plug and play, hooks inline to your existing lights. I think they go for about 20bucks at a boat shop.

ericemery · #8 03-11-2009, 11:35 AM

I think reese makes a nice hitch and harness set up. I think I saw them at homedepot... or maybe it was lowes. they were around 225 I think...

Dak_in_Black · #9 03-11-2009, 01:12 PM

I bought the OEM hitch and wiring harness...the hitch was a breeze to install.

The harness had me crawling around under the truck for a while to figure out which was the best way to route everything.

Like donkeypunch said, there is one wire to splice into and another to get into the cab. I didn't have an issue with the 7 pin connector.

Not to hijack the thread, but I just got a 6x10 trailer and it has electric brakes, any suggestions where to get a brake controller? Any auto parts store? I think I saw a hoppy (sp?) for about $100 at Autozone or some such..

mdk23 · #10 03-11-2009, 10:57 PM

Paul,

Thanks my trailer only requires the 4 prong. Is there a plug and play harness you would recommend? Also any guidance about installing it would help. Where inline?

Thanks