2007 DODGE DAKOTA trailer

WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to an injury accident.
Follow these guidelines to make your trailer towing
as safe as possible:
Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer
and will not shift during travel. When trailering
cargo that is not fully secured, dynamic load shifts
can occur that may be difficult for the driver to
control. You could lose control of your vehicle and
have an accident.
•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.
•Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer. Always connect the chains to the
frame or hook retainers of the vehicle hitch. Cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow enough
slack for turning corners.
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade.
When parking, apply the parking brake on the tow
vehicle. Put the tow vehicle automatic transmission in
P for Park. With a manual transmission, shift the
transmission into reverse. And with four-wheel-drive
vehicles, make sure the transfer case is not in neutral.
Always, block orchockthe trailer wheels.
•GCWR must not be exceeded.
•Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
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2. GTW
3. GAWR
4. 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).
Towing Requirements — Tires

Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe
and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to the
Tires–General Information section of this manual on
Tire Pressures for proper tire inflation procedures.
Also, check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation
pressures before trailer usage.
Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage
before towing a trailer. Refer to the Tires–General
Information section of this manual on Tread Wear
Indicators for the proper inspection procedure.
When replacing tires refer to the Tires–General Infor-
mation section of this manual on Replacement Tires for
proper tire replacement procedures. Replacing tires
with a higher load carrying capacity will not increase
the vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR limits.
Towing Requirements — Trailer Brakes

Donotinterconnect the hydraulic brake system or
vacuum system of your vehicle with that of the trailer.
This could cause inadequate braking and possible
personal injury.
An electronically actuated trailer brake controller is
required when towing a trailer with electronically
260 STARTING AND OPERATING

actuated brakes. When towing a trailer equipped with
a hydraulic surge actuated brake system, an electronic
brake controller is not required.
Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over 1,000
lbs (454 kg) and required for trailers in excess of 2,000
lbs (907 kg).
CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (454 kg)
loaded, it should have its own brakes and they
should be of adequate capacity. Failure to do this
could lead to accelerated brake lining wear, higher
brake pedal effort, and longer stopping distances.
WARNING!
Do not connect trailer brakes to your vehicle’s hy-
draulic brake lines. It can overload your brake sys-
tem and cause it to fail. You might not have brakes
when you need them and could have an accident.
Towing any trailer will increase your stopping dis-
tance. When towing you should allow for additional
space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front
of you. Failure to do so could result in an accident.
Towing Requirements — Trailer Lights & Wiring
Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer size,
stop lights and turn signals on the trailer are required for
motoring safety.
The Trailer Tow Package may includea4and7pin
wiring harness. Use a factory approved trailer harness
and connector.
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NOTE:Do not cut or splice wiring into the vehicles
wiring harness.
The electrical connections are all complete to the vehicle
but you must mate the harness to a trailer connector.
Refer to the following illustrations.
Towing Tips
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping
and backing the trailer in an area away from heavy
traffic.
4 - Pin Connector
7- Pin Connector
262 STARTING AND OPERATING

If using a manual transmission vehicle for trailer towing,
all starts must be in FIRST gear to avoid excessive clutch
slippage.
Towing Tips — Automatic Transmission
The “D” range can be selected when towing. However, if
frequent shifting occurs while in this range, the “TOW
HAUL” feature should be selected.
NOTE:Using the “TOW HAUL” feature while operat-
ing the vehicle under heavy operating conditions will
improve performance and extend transmission life by
reducing excessive shifting and heat build up. This action
will also provide better engine braking.
The automatic transmission fluid and filter should be
changed if you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more than
45 minutes of continuous operation. See Schedule “B” in
section 8 of this manual for transmission fluid change
intervals.NOTE:Check the automatic transmission fluid level
before towing.
Towing Tips — Tow/Haul (If Equipped)
To reduce potential for automatic transmission overheat-
ing, turn the “TOW HAUL” feature ON when driving in
hilly areas or shift the transmission to Drive position 2 on
more severe grades.
Towing Tips — Electronic Speed Control (If
Equipped)

Don’t use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
When using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.
Use speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
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Change Engine Oil
Road conditions and your style of driving affect the
interval at which your oil should be changed. Check the
following to determine ifANYapply to you:
•Day or night temperatures are below 32°F (0°C).
•Stop and Go driving.
•Extensive engine idling.
•Driving in dusty conditions.
•Short trips of less than 10 miles (16.2 km).
•More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90°F (32°C).
•Trailer towing, Taxi, Police or delivery service (com-
mercial service).
•Off-Road or desert operation.
•If 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 “B” of the
Maintenance Schedulessection of this manual.
IfNONEof these apply to you, then change your engine
oil every 6,000 miles (10 000 km) or 6 months, whichever
comes first and follow scheduleAof theMaintenance
Schedulessection of this manual.
NOTE:Under no circumstances should oil change in-
tervals exceed 6,000 miles (10 000 km) or 6 months
whichever comes first.
4x4 Models, If Used Primarily For Off-Road Operation
Every 50 hours of use.
298 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

These power distribution centers house new plug-in
“Cartridge” fuses which replace all the in-line fusible
links previously used. The power distribution centers
also contain “Mini”fuses and plug-in “ISO” relays. These
fuses and relays can be obtained from your dealer.
CavityCartridge
FuseMini
FuseDescription
1 Spare
2 40 Amp
GreenIgnition Accessory
(ACC)
3 30 Amp
PinkElectric Brake
4 50 Amp
RedPower Seat
5 40 Amp
GreenIgnition Run Only
6 20 Amp
YellowIgnition Off Draw (IOD)
Cabin Compartment
Node (CCN), Radio
CavityCartridge
FuseMini
FuseDescription
7 10 Amp
RedPowertrain Control Mod-
ule (PCM)/Fuel/
RAD/AC Coils
8 10 Amp
RedCabin Compartment
Node (CCN)/Mirror/4x4
9 10 Amp
RedAirbag System #3
10 Spare
11 10 Amp
RedAC Clutch
12 15 Amp
BlueT Tow Lt Stop/Turn
13 15 Amp
BlueTrailer Tow Rt Stop/
Turn
14 20 Amp
YellowIgnition Off Draw (IOD)
#2
15 25 Amp
NaturalTrans/Powertrain Con-
trol Module (PCM)
328 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

CavityCartridge
FuseMini
FuseDescription
34 30 Amp
PinkFront Control Module
(FCM) 2 (Ext. Light # 2)
35 40 Amp
GreenHVAC Blower Motor
36 10 Amp
RedIgnition UNLK/RN/ST
37 10 Amp
RedCrank
38 20 Amp
BlueRun/Start
39 30 Amp
PinkStarter Solenoid
40 Spare
41 30 Amp
PinkWiper Motor
42 25 Amp
NaturalFront Control Module
(FCM) 5 (T-Case)
43 10 Amp
RedLt Park LampsCavityCartridge
FuseMini
FuseDescription
44 10 Amp
RedRt Park Lamps
45 20 Amp
YellowTrailer Tow Park Lamps
46 10 Amp
RedAirbag System # 2
47 40 Amp
GreenIgnition Run/Accessory
(Acc)
48 20 Amp
BlueSunroof/Sound Box
49 30 Amp
PinkTrailer Tow B+
50 40 Amp
GreenAnti-Lock Brake System
(ABS) Module (Pump)
51 40 Amp
GreenPark Lamps
52 Spare
53 40 Amp
GreenRear Defogger
330 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE