Thanks for the parts link, those guys have great prices. I'm looking into doing the install myself. My local dealer didn't know a thing about the hitches.

 

I would think that the fines would be very high if you're towing beyond the rated capacity for the vehicle.

As stated above, the hitch does nothing to improve the braking, transmission and suspension.

 

When you get the towing package, you do get increased engine cooling and load leveling rear suspension. Which helps. I am still debating about installing brakes on the trailer. May do it just for the added safety margin. While the car stopped well in normal driving, I did not have to make a panic stop.

 

I'm considering buying one of those fold away motorcycle trailers if the hitch works out well on the MAGNUM. I sold an Avalanche when I got my Magnum and I miss not having the large capacity so a lightweight trailer might be just right. I only tow the bike once or twice a year but I'd rather load up my sunday trip to Home depot on a small trailer than stuff it into my Magnum. I'd rent a truck before I overloaded the Magnum.

 

Yep. I have that package on my Magnum, and that increases the towing capacity to 3800 pounds.

My point is that using an aftermarket hitch does not improve the braking, cooling and suspension to the point where you can exceed the manufacturer's towing capacity rating.

Towing requires caution. For the life of me, I'll never understand why someone would push the limits of a vehicle's towing capacity.

 

I tow my other cars on a small trailer with mine. You can buy the factory hitch on EBay for $100 and its a pretty simple install. The wiring harness and the adapter (if you have a flat 4 connector) runs about another $100. I dont know how much the factory ball mount costs, I had mine custom made for $45 at a trailer shop. (thats the part that holds the ball and slides into the hitch reciever).