Justin,
Here's what I know about the following questions:
>>> Justin Bouillet <justin@energy-ex.com> 05/01/96 09:50am
>>>
I'm planning on going camping the next long weekend and I want
to pull a trailer which is approx. 2000 lbs.
- My bumper hitch is rated at 2000 lbs. Should I get a hitch
set-up that attaches to the frame or is the bumper hitch sufficient
for pulling the trailer?
- Where can I find wiring instructions for building a wiring harness
between the truck and trailer?
+++++++++++++
Major manufacturers, like Draw Tight, make a bolt-on Class III
hitch for the Dakota. I got one put on at U-Haul for $149, inc.
wiring harness. The harness, marketed by U-Haul, was a special
double-stack flat connector made for connecting regular 4-wire flat
connectors and the special 8-wire double connectors, like those
used on U-Haul trailers with electric brakes. You might need to
add a bigger fuse to that circuit (only while extra load is
connected!) and a heavy-duty blinker unit.
If your trailer weighs in at the bumper's rated limit, I would not use
the bumper hitch. The trailer gets heavier at times, due to inertial
forces, and may temporarily exceed the rating. The hitch and
harness is cheaper than a new bumper that was bowed in or out
by a too-heavy load.
The Class III retailed for about $100 and the harness was about
$25, which made the installation about $25. They did it in about
30 min. I think it was worth the money to pay for the installation.
BTW--the hitch can be removed and put on the '97 Dakota you
(hopefully) plan to purchase <grin>.
Hope this helps...
Ken
attached mail follows:
Howdy y'all!
I have an 87 Dakota LE with a 3.9 carb'd V6. I don't know what my rear
axle ratio is (I think it's a 3.90). I'm planning on going camping the
next long weekend and I want to pull a trailer which is approx. 2000 lbs.
My truck isn't adequately equipped with all the equipment for pulling a
trailer. Here are my questions:
- I have those silly kiddy mirrors. Can I pull a set of full size mirrors
off a full size Ram Truck or Van and put them on, or do I have to get a
set from a wrecked Dakota?
- My bumper hitch is rated at 2000 lbs. Should I get a hitch set-up that
attaches to the frame or is the bumper hitch sufficient for pulling the
trailer?
- What is a good type/brand electric braking unit to use for the trailer?
- Where can I find wiring instructions for building a wiring harness
between the truck and trailer?
- How well does a V6 handle pulling a 2000 lb trailer through hills and
mountains?
Thanks in advance!
-- ------------------------------------------------ Justin Bouillet justin@energy-ex.com Energy Exchange Inc. http://www.energy-ex.com
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