2007 DODGE DAKOTA weight

Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight
Ratings)
NOTE:For additional trailer towing information (maxi-
mum trailer weight ratings) refer to the following website
addresses:
•http:// www.dodge.com/towing.
•http:// www.dodge.ca(Canada).
Trailer and Tongue Weight
Always load a trailer with 60% to 65% of the weight in
the front of the trailer. This places 10% to 15% of the
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) on the tow hitch of your
vehicle. 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.Never exceed the maximum tongue weight stamped on
your bumper or trailer hitch.
Consider the following items when computing the
weight on the rear axle of the vehicle:
•The tongue weight of the trailer.
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5

•The weight of any other type of cargo or equipment
put in or on your vehicle.
•The weight of the driver and all passengers.
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 Tire and Loading Information plac-
ard in the Tire Safety Information Section of this manual.
Towing Requirements
To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle driv-
etrain components the following guidelines are recom-
mended:
CAUTION!
•Avoid towing a trailer for the first 500 miles (805
km) of vehicle operation. Doing so may damage
your vehicle.
•During the first 500 miles (805 km) of trailer
towing, limit your speed to 50 mph (80 km/h).
Perform the maintenance listed in Section 8 of this
manual. When towing a trailer, never exceed the GAWR,
or GCWR, ratings.
258 STARTING AND OPERATING

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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5

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

Fuel................................ 136
Odometer........................... 140
Speedometer......................... 138
Tachometer.......................... 139
Gear Ranges........................... 191
General Information...................... 18
Glass Cleaning.......................... 326
Grease............................... 322
Gross Axle Weight Rating...............248,252
GrossCargoWeight ...................... 247
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating................ 251
GVWR ............................248,251
Hazard Warning Flasher................... 272
Headlights............................ 333
High Beam........................... 96
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch......... 96
Lights On Reminder..................... 93
Passing.............................. 95Replacing............................ 333
Switch ............................... 92
Heated Mirrors.......................... 82
Heated Seats............................ 87
Heater, Engine Block..................... 189
High Beam Indicator..................... 137
High Beam/Low Beam Select (Dimmer) Switch . . . 96
Hitches
TrailerTowing ........................ 256
Holder,Cup ........................... 123
HomeLink(Garage Door Opener) Transmitter . . . 110
Hood Release........................... 88
Hoses................................ 315
Ignition............................... 12
Key ................................. 12
Ignition Key Removal..................... 12
Illuminated Entry........................ 19
Infant Restraint.......................... 58
384 INDEX

Chains.............................. 235
Changing............................ 273
Compact Spare........................ 230
General Information.................... 226
High Speed.......................... 229
Inflation Pressures..................... 227
Jacking............................. 278
LifeofTires .......................... 233
Load Capacity.....................222,223
Quality Grading....................... 375
Radial.............................. 229
Replacement......................... 233
Rotation............................. 237
Safety...........................218,226
Sizes ............................... 219
Snow Tires........................... 237
Spare Tire........................... 275
Spinning ............................ 231
Tread Wear Indicators................... 232Wheel Mounting....................... 278
Wheel Nut Torque..................... 281
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight.............. 257
Torque Converter Clutch.................. 195
Tow Hooks, Emergency................... 285
Towing ............................... 251
Disabled Vehicle....................... 286
Guide .............................. 257
Recreational.......................... 265
Weight .............................. 257
Traction ............................... 211
TrailerTowing .......................... 251
Cooling System Tips.................... 264
Hitches............................. 256
Minimum Requirements................. 258
Trailer and Tongue Weight................ 257
Wiring .............................. 261
TrailerTowingGuide ..................... 257
TrailerWeight .......................... 257
392 INDEX

Weight Load Carrying.................... 247
Wheel Alignment and Balance............... 234
Wheel and Wheel Trim.................... 325
Wheel and Wheel Trim Care................ 325
Wheel Changing........................ 273
Wheel Mounting........................ 278
Wheel Nut Torque....................... 281
Wind Buffeting.......................... 33
Window Fogging........................ 179
Windows.............................. 32
Power............................... 32Rear Sliding.......................... 124
Windshield Defroster..................... 177
Windshield Washers.................. 96,97,308
Fluid ............................. 96,308
Windshield Wiper Blades.................. 307
Windshield Wipers....................... 96
Wiper Blade Replacement.................. 307
Wipers, Intermittent....................... 97
Wrecker Towing......................... 286
YES EssentialsFabric Cleaning Procedure...... 325
394 INDEX