I have a 2006 quad cab 4wd with a 4.7L and 5 speed 545RFE transmission. 3.55 rear axle. The VIN doesn't show a tow package and I'm quite sure it doesn't (missing tow relays). However, it does have the stock Mopar Class IV receiver and the 7- , 4-pin wiring connectors. Has anyone seen this? I've installed relays and checked all fuses, but the relays do not energize (I would expect the RT and LT signal relays would be clicking). Also, no running lights. Why have the receiver and wiring installed if not a tow package? Does the PCM need to configured to enable the "Tow Package"? Weird and confusing...

 

Those parts can be added later as "dealer add-ons". The tow package would have also included folding 6x9" mirrors and a transmission cooler (part of the radiator). If you don't have those, then you probably have a dealer add-on.

I don't think the PCM needs to be flashed to get the 4- and 7-way plugs to work.

 

I don't think tow mirrors are necessarily standard install with a tow package, but I cant say for sure. One thing to keep in mind is the truck is 15 years old. Unless you bought it new whatever equipment is mounted on it is not a good indication of what it came with factory. The factory trailer wiring would come to a rectangle weather type plug with a red locking tap that plugs into the back side of the trailer 7way outlet. If it has this good odds it factory installed and using factory wiring. If not possibly could've been added aftermarket or the rectangle plug became destroyed and it was replaced.

Being 06 was the dawn of the TIPM I believe its possible that it needs turned on to function, however being it has external relays and fuses its hard to say. Your best bet rather than listening for relays clicking would be to use a plug tester or hook up a trailer and see what you get.

 

Folding tow mirrors were only available on the 2006 Dakota with the factory-installed tow package (see brochure). Because of this, the presence of those mirrors is the easiest visual queue to determine whether the truck has, or had, the factory tow package. That said, I agree that your best bet is to put a tester on the trailer plugs and see what you get. I don't think I hear any clicking on my 2011 Dakota outside of the cab (but, I hear that whenever the blinkers are on), but I've used them several times and they work correctly.

 

Not sure if its an apples to oranges comparison, I played around with alphaobd on my 06 2500 yesterday and I couldn't find anything for trailer tow or lighting or anything. However I would expect a 2500 to come standard with trailer tow equipment installed/working on every model

pretty shocking that Dakota brochure boasting 7100lbs tow rating, my little 06 4.7 couldn't get out of its own way bobtailing lol

 

The hitch and wiring definitely appear to be stock Mopar (Chrysler "5 star" logo). The mirrors are not folding, but are 6x9. Another interesting artifact is that the shift stalk has the "tow/haul" button and when pressed, displays the "haul/tow" light on the dash display. This truck was my dad's and I always assumed it had a tow package. Got ready to tow a trailer this weekend and found no voltage at the outlets (both the 7-way and the flat 4-way). Checking fuses and noticed none of of the "tow" relays were installed. Used the horn relay to test the "tow/turn" circuits and none worked. Checked and had power to the relay coil and the contacts, but appeared that the module that enables the relay isn't "enabling".

 

Definitive answer: download your truck's build sheet. The link is in one of the stickies. If it's not in the build sheet, then the hitch receiver and wiring were added later. Those were accessories that could be purchased and added by the dealer or a customer. I would see if I could find online the installation instructions and check the installation from there.

 

My '06 didn't come with a tow package but also had a Mopar tow harness that had been dealer installed. That harness gets power thru a fused connection to the battery and does not use the relays in the TIPM (fusebox)
The ultimate problem I had was that the installed harness was not correct for my truck ('07 vs '06) and connected the output of the reverse lights relay in the FCM to ground. A chassis scan would show "high current" on the relay and the FCM would turn the relay off. I didn't realize this until I'd had the truck a couple of years when my neighbor noticed I didn't have backup lights. I took It to the dealer for troubleshooting but they couldn't figure it out and referred it to Dodge engineering dept. I never got an answer back, but eventually found a reference to the issue on the internet. By then, the wire colors were faded enough that I wasn't up for re-pinning the harness. I eventually pulled it out and replaced it with one of those aftermarket harnesses that connect to the tail light harnesses.

 

Yep, I think you guys are on track... As mentioned, VIN build sheet doesn't show a tow package. I'd have to go with the idea that it was a dealer add-on. Now I just have to figure out how it's supposed to work... or go aftermarket. Thanks guys!

 

Pictures of what you're looking at are always helpful with other eyes looking at it, a simple T harness from the taillights is an easy way to go, some good quality ones run their own power feed from the battery instead of stealing power from the lights themselves. If you're in need of a brake control that wire would have to be ran from the front. However it seems to be the factory wiring is in place, just a matter of getting it to power up,

There should be a white 4 pin plug under the dash for a brake controller also. Not sure if lack of tow package would remove that?