I'm new to the forum. I just traded in my '99 Dakota extended cab for an '06 Dakota extended cab. I found that the new truck lacks the storage bins that were under the jump seats of the old truck. Although it wasn't much, I at least had a place to store my tow-hitch.

I did notice that the space under the drivers side jump seat sounds hollow. Has anyone cut the floor out under that jump seat to use it as storage?

If this isn't feasible, does anyone have any ideas where to store the tow-hitch other than just throwing it on the floor or the bed of the truck.

Thanks

 

If you cut the carpet, you can access the hole in the in the drivers side. There is a hole just like on the passenger side where the bottle jack goes. You could even get another cover/plug for it.

 

Thanks, now I just need the ***** to take a jig saw to the floor of my new truck.

 

Jigsaw? To cut carpet?

Pretty sure a hitch will fit in the hole that's already there. You can do a quick check just by pulling up the rear door sill trim and lifting the carpet up.

Cutting more access would likely be fine on all counts, but seems unnecessary.

 

Do you mean that there is another hole already there under the carpet on the drivers side?

 

That's what he said at least. I'd guess that is what he means. But I would bet that you could feel with your hand and could tell if there is a hole under the carpet.

Also leaving your tow hitch on is a good bumper guard for a dummy rear-ending you.

 

Yes leave it on. You see the damage it did to some old ladied cadilac that rearend me lol. No damage to my truck
I would like to do the same thing on my quad cab. anyone done this? From what i can see it doesn't look like i have room.

 

I store mine next to the jack on the passenger side...

 

I've already tried to put it in with the jack but it didn't fit.

As for leaving the hitch on the truck, I live in Illinois and they have passed a law against leaving the hitch on.

"... Provides that if any portion of a motor vehicle hitch containing a ball mount and hitch receiver extends more than 4 inches beyond the motor vehicle's rear bumper, then the ball mount must be removed from the hitch receiver when the motor vehicle is not being used for towing. Provides that if any portion of a motor vehicle hitch extends more than 4 inches beyond the rear bumper of the motor vehicle and the hitch is composed of a single assembly that cannot be easily removed from the vehicle, then the ball of the hitch must be covered with a red cover. Defines "ball mount", "hitch receiver", and "motor vehicle hitch"."

 

Ok, here's the deal. There is, in fact, a hole in back of the carpeting on the drivers side just like the one where the jack is. I cut the carpet on 3 sides so I could use the 4th side for a hinge. The tow-hitch fits in there as well as a small piece of rope and a couple of bungee cords--misc stuff you might need occasionally. Its nice not to have the tow-hitch and small stuff on the back floor anymore.

Once I cut the carpet, I noticed there was a set of wires in my new storage space. I duct taped them down inside the space so they wouldn't get damaged when I took the tow-hitch in and out. I also put a piece of rubber on the floor so the tow-hitch wouldn't make noise or rattle when I hit a bump

I did notice that there was some kind of electrical box, maybe an amplifier for the radio, attached to the ceiling of my new storage area. This would be right under the floor where the jump seat rests. So, if you need access go through the side, not through the floor under the jump seat.

I planned on getting another plastic cover like the one over the entry to the jack storage area, but I see that it is made on an angle and I will have to have a cover that is its mirror image. So I don't know what I will do about that. For the time being, I'll just flip the carpet back over the hole.

Anyway, thanks for all your suggestions. This worked out pretty well for me.