2004 DODGE DAKOTA trailer

Wheel9style trailer, this range of loading on the9King
Pin9should be between 15% and 25%.) Loads balanced
over the wheels or biased toward9heavier in the rear9
can cause the trailer to sway severely side to side
which will cause loss of control of vehicle and trailer.
Failure to load trailers heavier in front is the cause of
many trailer accidents.
²Donotinterconnect the hydraulic brake system of
your vehicle with that of the trailer. This could cause
inadequate braking and possible personal injury.
²Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over 1,000
lbs. (454 kg) and required for trailers in excess of 2,000
lbs. (907 kg).
²Use an approved trailer harness and connector. If a
hitch is ordered, the proper wiring will be provided.
²When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not over-
load your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can cause a
loss of control, poor performance or damage to brakes,
axle, engine, transmission, steering, suspension, chas-
sis structure or tires.
²Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer and
will not shift during travel. When trailering cargo that
cannot be fully secured, dynamic load shifts can occur
that may be difficult for the driver to control.
²All trailer hitches should be professionally installed on
your vehicle.
²Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer.
²Connect trailer lighting and brakes using factory har-
nesses only. Do not cut or splice any wiring to the
brake circuits.
Trailer and Tongue Weight
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) means the weight of the
trailer plus the weight of all cargo and equipment loaded
on the trailer when in actual underway towing condition.
The recommended way to measure GTW is to put your
fully loaded trailer on a vehicle scale. The entire weight
of the trailer must be supported by the scale.
Tongue Weight is the weight placed on the vehicle's
trailer hitch by the trailer. Always load a trailer with 60%
STARTING AND OPERATING 197
5

to 65% of the weight in the front of the trailer. This places
10% to 15% of the GTW on the tow hitch of your vehicle.
Trailer sway control and equalizing hitch are required for
tongue weights above 350 lbs. (159 kg).
Trailer TowingÐHitches:
With a Class I Hitch, your vehicle can be equipped to tow
trailers with a Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) of 2,000 lbs.
(907 kg) maximum. Vehicles equipped with a rear step
bumper are rated for a Class I Hitch.With a Class II Hitch, your vehicle can be equipped to
tow trailers with a Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) of 3,500
lbs. (1,587 kg) maximum. Tongue weight must be equal to
at least 10% of GTW, but no more that 15% of GTW.
With a Class III Hitch, your vehicle can be equipped to
tow trailers with a Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) of 5,000
lbs. (2,268 kg) maximum. Tongue weight must be equal to
at least 10% of GTW, but no more that 15% of GTW.
With a Class IV Hitch, you can tow a trailer with a Gross
Trailer Weight of up to 6,700 lbs. (3039 kg.) depending on
your vehicle equipment. The Trailer Tow Package in-
cludes the platform hitch receiver, and a 7 lead wiring
harness mounted on the hitch.
NOTE:When towing a trailer, the following require-
ments must be adhered to:
²GCWR must not be exceeded
²Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
(4) ratings are not exceeded:
1.GVWR
198 STARTING AND OPERATING

2.GTW
3.Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch uti-
lized (This requirement may limit the ability to
always achieve the 10% to 15% range of tongue
weight [15% to 25% for a(5th Wheel(style trailer]
as a percentage of total trailer weight.)
4.GAWR ratings
NOTE:
Towing a trailer equipped with more than the
standard lighting (turn, tail, stop and backup lights) may
cause an abnormally high electrical current draw through
the headlight switch, causing the switch to fail. To
prevent a recurring switch failure install a trailer tow
wiring harness overlay kit with relay to bypass headlight
switch (available from your dealer).
Trailer Towing Information (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings)
(Trailer Towing Guide(
NOTE:
For trailer towing information (maximum
trailer weight ratings) refer to the following website
address:http:// www.dodge.com/towing.
In Canada, refer to the following website address:
http:// www.dodge.ca.
Trailer Towing Requirements
All Dodge Dakota trucks are intended to tow trailers up
to 2,000 lbs. without added equipment or alterations to
standard equipment. Your vehicle may be factory
equipped for safe towing of trailers weighing over 2,000
lbs. with the Trailer Tow Package. The electrical part of
this package includes an instruction sheet, a 7/4 pin
adaptor, a wiring pigtail for an aftermarket electric trailer
brake controller, and three relays that must be installed
into the power distribution center. These items are stored
in the glove box. Also included in the Trailer Tow
Package are two fuses and a relay that are located on the
driver's side of the engine compartment on a harness
near the Power Distribution Center. This relay and the
fuses power up the trailer towing option. See your Dodge
dealer for further information.
If you regularly pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer size,
stop and turn signals on the trailer are recommended for
motoring safety. To handle the additional electrical load
STARTING AND OPERATING 199
5

of the trailer lights and assure their proper functioning, a
heavy duty turn signal flasher can be installed as a
separate equipment item by your dealer.
WARNING!
The direct connection of hydraulic brake lines from
vehicle brake system to trailer system is not accept-
able. The extra load may cause brake failure and you
may be injured.
Heavy trailer towing also may require breakaway electric
trailer brakes, anti-sway devices or equalizing hitches for
safe operation. Such devices are commonly required by
state law.
For all trailer tow or heavy-duty applications it is
strongly recommended that the factory fill rear axle
lubricant be replaced with an SAE 75W-140 synthetic
gear lubricant. MopartSynthetic Gear Lubricant is of
this type.
Trailer Tow Wiring
The Trailer Tow Package includes a wiring harness
located at the rear underbody of the vehicle.
NOTE:Connect trailer lighting and brakes using fac-
tory harnesses only. Do not cut or splice wiring to the
brake circuits.
The electrical connections are all complete to the vehicle
but you must mate the harness to a trailer connector.
Refer to the following table for wire color and function.
Wire Color Function
Black Ground Wire
Blue Trailer Brake
Black/Orange Tail & Running Lamps
Red/Tan Battery
Dk. Green/Red Lt. Stop & Turn Signal
Brown/Red Rt. Stop & Turn Signal
Violet/Black Backup Lamps
200 STARTING AND OPERATING

Cooling System TipsÐTrailer Towing
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
²City DrivingÐWhen stopped for short periods of
time, put transmission in neutral and increase engine
idle speed.
²Highway DrivingÐReduce your speed.
²Air ConditioningÐTurn off temporarily.
See Cooling System Operating information in the Main-
tenance section of this manual for more information.
To reduce potential for automatic transmission overheat-
ing, turn the Overdrive OFF when driving in hilly areas
or shift the transmission to Drive position 2 on more
severe grades. Move the shift lever to the next lower
position to eliminate excessive transmission shifting. This
action will also reduce the possibility of transmission
overheating and provide better engine braking.
NOTE:If your vehicle has an automatic transmission
and you tow a trailer frequently follow Maintenance
Schedule ªBº.
SNOWPLOW
Dodge Dakota Models
NOTE:
Do not use Dodge Dakota Models for snow-
plow applications.
WARNING!
Snowplows, winches, and other aftermarket equip-
ment should not be added to the front end or your
vehicle. The airbag crash sensors may be affected by
the change in the front end structure. The airbags
could deploy unexpectedly or could fail to deploy
during a collision resulting in serious injury or
death.
CAUTION!
Using this vehicle for snowplow applications can
cause damage to the vehicle.
STARTING AND OPERATING 201
5

CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will cause
oil aeration or loss of oil pressure. This could dam-
age your engine.
Frequency Of Oil Change
Road conditions and your style of driving affect the
interval at which your oil should be changed. Check the
following to determine if any apply to you:
²Day or night temperatures are below 32ÉF (0ÉC).
²Stop and go driving.
²Extensive engine idling.
²Driving in dusty conditions
²Short trips of less than 10 miles (16.2 km)
²More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 32ÉC (90ÉF)
²Trailer towing
²Taxi, Police or delivery service (commercial service)
²Off-road or desert operation
²If equipped for and operating with E-85 (ethanol)
fuel.
NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you then change your
engine oil every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months,
whichever comes first and follow schedule ªBº of the
9Maintenance Schedules9section of this manual.
If none of these apply to you, then change your engine oil
at every interval shown on schedule9A9of the9Mainte-
nance Schedules9section of this manual.
4x4 Models, If Used Primarily For Off-Road
Operation
Every 50 hours of use.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 227
7

Chassis
Component Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts.
Automatic Transmission MopartATF+4, Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Manual Transmission (NV 3500) MopartManual Transmission Fluid, part number 4874464
Transfer Case MopartATF+4, Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Front and Rear Axles SAE 75W-90 Multipurpose Type, GL-5 Gear Lubricant. Limited-Slip Rear
Axles Require Mopartlimited slip additive. Four (4) ounces (118 ml)
should be added to the gear lubricant whenever a fluid change is made.
Rear Axle Fluid for Trailer Towing For all trailer towing or heavy duty applications, replace the factory fill
rear axle fluid with MopartSynthetic Gear Lubricant SAE 75W-140 (MS-
8985)
Brake Master Cylinder MopartDOT 3 and SAE J1703 should be used. If DOT 3 brake fluid is not
available, then DOT 4. Use only recommended brake fluids.
Power Steering Reservoir MopartATF+4, Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Steering Linkage MopartMulti-Mileage Lubricant 5
Ball Joints MopartMulti-Mileage Lubricant 5
260 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
There are two maintenance schedules that show the
requiredservice for your vehicle.
First is ScheduleªBº. It is for vehicles that are operated
under the conditions that are listed below and at the
beginning of the schedule.
²Day or night temperatures are below 32É F (0É C).
²Stop and go driving.
²Extensive engine idling.
²Driving in dusty conditions.
²Short trips of less than 10 miles (16 km).
²More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90É F32 (É C).
²Trailer towing.
²Heavy Loading.
²Taxi, police, or delivery service (commercial service).
²Off-road or desert operation.
²If equipped for and operating with E-85 (ethanol)
fuel.
NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you then change your
engine oil every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months,
whichever comes first and follow schedule ªBº of the
9Maintenance Schedules9section of this manual.
NOTE:Most vehicles are operated under the conditions
listed for Schedule9B9.
Second is ScheduleªAº. It is for vehicles that are not
operated under any of the conditions listed under Sched-
ule9B9.
Use the schedule that best describes your driving condi-
tions. Where time and mileage are listed, follow the
interval that occurs first.
NOTE:Under no circumstances should oil change
intervals exceed 6,000 miles (10 000 km) or 6 months
whichever comes first.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 263
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