2005 DODGE DAKOTA weight

TRAILER TOWING
To maintain warranty coverage, follow the requirements
and recommendations in this manual concerning ve-
hicles used for trailer towing.
Definitions
The following trailer towing related terminology defini-
tions will assist in understanding the subsequent sec-
tions:
GROSS COMBINATION WEIGHT RATING (GCWR)
is the total permissible weight of your vehicle and trailer
when weighed in combination. (Note that GCWR ratings
include a 68 kg (150 lb.) allowance for the presence of a
driver.) Tongue Weight (of a trailer) is the weight placed
on a vehicle’s trailer hitch by the trailer.
GROSS TRAILER WEIGHT (GTW)is the weight of the
trailer plus the weight of all cargo, consumables and
equipment (permanent or temporary) loaded in or on the
trailer in itsloaded and ready for operationcondition.TRAILER SWAY CONTROLis a telescoping link that
can be installed between the hitch receiver and the trailer
tongue that typically provides adjustable friction associ-
ated with the telescoping motion to dampen any un-
wanted trailer swaying motions while traveling.
CAUTION!
•During the first 500 miles (805 km) your new
vehicle is driven, do not tow a trailer. Doing so
may damage your vehicle.
•When first towing a trailer, limit your speed to 50
mph (80 km/h) during the first 500 miles (805 km)
of towing.
Perform the maintenance listed in Section 8 of this
manual. When towing a trailer, never exceed the GAWR,
or GCWR, ratings.
256 STARTING AND OPERATING

Consider the following items when computing the
weight on the rear axle:
•The tongue weight of the trailer.
•The weight of any other type of cargo or equipment
put in or on your vehicle.
NOTE:Remember that everything put into or on the
trailer adds to the load on your vehicle. Also, additional
factory-installed options, or dealer-installed options,
must be considered as part of the total load on your
vehicle. Refer to the Certification label located at the
driver’s door for the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to an injury accident.
Follow these guidelines to make your trailer towing
as safe as possible:
•Be sure the trailer is loaded heavier in front, with 60%
to 65% of the weight in front of the axle(s). Loads
balanced over the wheels or heavier in the rear can
cause the trailer to swayseverelyside 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.
STARTING AND OPERATING 257
5

•Donotinterconnect the hydraulic brake system of
your vehicle with that of the trailer. This could cause
inadequate braking and possible personal injury.
•Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over 1,000
lbs (454 kg) and required for trailers in excess of 2,000
lbs. (907 kg).
•Use an approved trailer harness and connector. If a
hitch is ordered, the proper wiring will be provided.
•When 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.
•Make 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.
•All trailer hitches should be professionally installed on
your vehicle.
•Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer.
•Connect 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 maximum allow-
able weight of the trailer plus the weight of all cargo and
equipment loaded on the trailer when in actual under-
way towing condition. The recommended way to mea-
sure GTW is to put your fully loaded trailer on a vehicle
scale. The entire weight of the trailer must be supported
by the scale.
258 STARTING AND OPERATING

Tongue Weight is the weight placed on the vehicle’s
trailer hitch by the trailer. Always load a trailer with 60%
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).Also, there are maximum tongue weight ratings that are
not to be exceeded, as follows:
•Class IV (the receiver hitch type) 1100 lbs (500 kg)
Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating (GCWR)
The Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating (GCWR) is
theMAXIMUMallowable weight of the towing vehicle,
including passengers and cargo, and the weight of the
loaded trailer. Calculate the maximum trailer weight
(MTW) by subtracting the towing vehicle’s weight, in-
cluding passengers, and cargo from GCWR.
Trailer Towing—Hitches:
With a Class IV Hitch, you can tow a trailer with a Gross
Trailer Weight of up to 7, 000 lbs. (3175 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. Tongue weight must be
equal to at least 10% of GTW, but no more that 15% of
GTW.
STARTING AND OPERATING 259
5

NOTE: When towing a trailer, the following require-
ments must be adhered to:
•GCWR must not be exceeded
•Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
(4) ratings are not exceeded:
1.GVWR
2.GTW
3.Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch utilized
(This requirement may limit the ability to always
achieve the 10% to 15% range of tongue weight as a
percentage of total trailer weight.)
4.GAWR ratings
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. (907 kg) without added equipment or
alterations to standard equipment. Your vehicle may be
factory equipped for safe towing of trailers over 2,000 lbs.
(907 kg) with the trailer tow package.The electrical part of
this package includes an instruction sheet and wiring
pigtail for an aftermarket electric trailer brake controller.
These items are stored in the glove box.
260 STARTING AND OPERATING

Gross Axle Weight Rating.................. 253
Gross Cargo Weight...................... 252
GVWR............................253,255
Hands-Free Phone........................ 84
Hazard Warning Flasher................... 272
Headlights............................ 330
High Beam........................... 119
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch........ 119
Lights On Reminder.................... 117
Passing............................. 119
Replacing............................ 330
Switch.............................. 116
Heated Mirrors.......................... 84
Heated Seats........................... 112
Heater, Engine Block..................... 198
High Beam Indicator..................... 153
High Beam/Low Beam Select (Dimmer) Switch . . 119Hitches
Trailer Towing........................ 259
Holder, Cup........................... 143
Homelink Transmitter.................... 133
Hood Release.......................... 112
Hoses................................ 316
Ignition............................... 13
Key ...............................10,13
Lock................................ 13
Illuminated Entry........................ 15
Infant Restraint.......................... 59
Inflation Pressure Tires.................... 241
Inside Rearview Mirror.................... 81
Instrument Cluster....................... 152
Instrument Panel and Controls.............. 150
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning............. 328
Interior Appearance Care.................. 327
Interior Lights.......................... 114
382 INDEX

Load Capacity.....................229,230
Radial.............................. 236
Replacement......................... 240
Rotation............................. 244
Safety...........................224,233
Sizes............................... 226
Snow Tires........................... 243
Spare Tire........................... 276
Spinning............................ 238
Tread Wear Indicators................... 239
Wheel Mounting....................... 278
Wheel Nut Torque..................... 282
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight.............. 258
Torque Converter Clutch.................. 203
Tow Hooks, Emergency................... 286
Towing............................... 256
Disabled Vehicle....................... 287
Guide.............................. 260
Recreational.......................... 264Weight.............................. 260
Traction.............................. 269
Trailer Towing.......................... 256
Cooling System Tips.................... 262
Hitches............................. 259
Minimum Requirements................. 260
Trailer and Tongue Weight................ 258
Wiring.............................. 261
Trailer Towing Guide..................... 260
Trailer Weight.......................... 260
Transaxle............................. 199
Automatic........................... 199
Operation........................... 199
Transfer Case........................... 323
Fluid............................... 345
Transmission........................199,320
Automatic......................196,199,320
Filter............................... 322
Fluid.........................320,322,345
390 INDEX

Maintenance.......................... 320
Manual........................196,204,320
Shifting............................. 205
Transmitter Battery Service.................. 26
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener............ 133
Transmitter Programming................... 25
Tread Wear Indicators.................... 239
Trip Computer.......................... 127
Trip Odometer.......................... 155
Trip Odometer Reset Button................ 159
Turn Signals...................... 118,152,336
Universal Transmitter..................... 133
Unlock, Auto........................... 18
Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses................. 316
Variance, Compass....................... 132
Vehicle Identification Number................ 5
Vehicle Loading......................230,252Vehicle Modifications/Alterations.............. 6
Vehicle Storage......................... 329
Warning Lights (Instrument Cluster Description) . 152
Warnings and Cautions..................... 5
Warranty Information..................... 370
Washers, Windshield..................... 121
Washing Vehicle......................... 325
Weight Load Carrying.................... 252
Wheel Alignment and Balance............... 241
Wheel and Wheel Trim.................... 326
Wheel Changing........................ 274
Wheel Mounting........................ 278
Wheel Nut Torque....................... 282
Wind Buffeting.......................... 31
Window Fogging........................ 188
Windows.............................. 29
Power............................... 29
Windshield Defroster...................74,186
INDEX 391
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