Towing a camper trailer (fwd)

From: Frank Ball (frankb@cougar.sr.hp.com)
Date: Wed May 01 1996 - 18:27:44 EDT


& 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.
&
& - 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?

The big Dakota mirrors look identical to the RAM mirrors.

& - 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?

Get a reciever hitch.

 
& - What is a good type/brand electric braking unit to use for the trailer?

Don't know. My bike trailer is anywhere from around 700 to 1400 pounds
depending how it is loaded. Trailer brakes aren't needed for that
weight. I pulled a trailer two weeks ago that was much heavier, I don't
really know how heavy but it had to have been at least 3000 pounds,
maybe more. I didn't have trailer brakes, and it really needed them.
So 2000 pounds is probably about the border line between needing trailer
brakes or not.

& - How well does a V6 handle pulling a 2000 lb trailer through hills and
& mountains?

It won't be fast, but it should make it.

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Frank Ball 1UR-M frankb@sr.hp.com (707) 794-4168 work
Hewlett Packard (707) 794-4848 fax (707) 538-3693 home
1212 Valley House Drive IT175, KDX200, XT350, YZF600R, Seca 750
Rohnert Park CA 94928-4999 '95 Dakota SLT Club Cab V8 5-Speed 2WD
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