Towing Capacity of a 2003 Dodge Dakota with 4.7L V8 Engine

Published 07/02/2018

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"

(315)

$223.18

etrailer Ball Mount Kit for 2" Hitches - 7,500 lbs

(1364)

$89.69

Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller - 7-Way RV and 4-Way Flat - 10 Gauge Wires

(3284)

$124.38

Hopkins Plug-In Simple Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector

(10)

$38.33

Hopkins Tail Light Converter with 4-Way Flat Trailer Connector

(47)

$30.87

Tekonsha Primus IQ Trailer Brake Controller - Up to 3 Axles - Proportional

(2126)

$99.62

Question:

Could you help identify the products I may need if I get a trailer with electric brakes too? I know Ill need a different harness and a "box" in the cab.

asked by: Tom

Expert Reply:

The white tag inside the driver's door jamb of your 2003 Dodge Dakota does not list the gross trailer weight (GTW). However, it does list the gross combined weight rating (GCWR) and the gross vehicle weight (GVW) which if you subtract the GVWR from the GCWR will give you the GTW.

In order to tow a trailer with your Dakota you are going to need a trailer hitch, wiring harness, and ball mount/hitch ball. For the trailer hitch I recommend the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver part # C13280 which is a direct fit and has a concealed crosstube for a clean look. Then for the wiring harness I recommend the Hopkins Plug-In Simple Vehicle Wiring Harness part # HM42205 as long as you do not have more than one tail light per side on the trailer. If you do have more than one tail light per side on the trailer then you will want to use the Hopkins Tail Light Converter Kit part # HM48895 instead.

For a ball mount/hitch ball the Ball Mount Kit part # 989900 should work well for you though you will need to verify the rise/drop of either ball mount is correct using the attached help article. I have attached an install video of the hitch for you as well.

expert reply by: Conner L

Tom

7/2/2018

Could you help identify the products I may need if I get a trailer with electric brakes too? I know Ill need a different harness and a "box" in the cab.

Conner L.

7/2/2018

Absolutely! In addition to either of the above Hopkin's 4-way wiring harnesses you are also going to need a 4 to 7-way adapter. For this, I recommend the Universal Installation Kit part # ETBC7 which comes with everything you need to install a brake controller (7-way, wires, circuit breakers) with an existing 4-way in place. The 7-way that comes with the kit also maintains a 4-way trailer connection point. Then for a brake controller I recommend the Tekonsha Primus IQ Trailer Brake Controller part # TK90160. This is a proportional brake controller that senses the braking pressure applied in the tow vehicle and exerts that same force to the trailer. It has built-in integrated safeguards to protect both the trailer's and vehicle's wiring in addition to containing a continuous diagnostic check process. I have attached a sample install video which you may find useful as well.