weight DODGE DAKOTA 2011 3.G User Guide

Trailer Tongue Weight (TW)
The tongue weight is the downward force exerted on the
hitch ball by the trailer is the tongue weight. In most
cases it should not be less than 10% or more than 15% of
the trailer load. You must consider this as part of the load
on your vehicle.
Frontal Area
The frontal area is the maximum height multiplied by the
maximum width of the front of a trailer.
Weight-Carrying Hitch
A weight-carrying hitch supports the trailer tongue
weight, just as if it were luggage located at a hitch ball or
some other connecting point of the vehicle. These kind of
hitches are the most popular on the market today and
they are commonly used to tow small- and medium-
sized trailers.
Weight-Distributing Hitch
A weight-distributing hitch works by applying leverage
through spring (load) bars. They are typically used for
heavier loads, to distribute trailer tongue weight to the
tow vehicle’s front axle and the trailer axle(s). When used
in accordance with the manufacturers’ directions, it pro-
vides for a more level ride, offering more consistent
steering and brake control thereby enhancing towing
safety. The addition of a friction/hydraulic sway control
also dampens sway caused by traffic and crosswinds and
contributes positively to tow vehicle and trailer stability.
Trailer sway control and a weight distributing (load
equalizing) hitch are recommended for heavier tongue
weights and may be required depending on vehicle and
trailer configuration/loading to comply with Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR) requirements.
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WARNING!
•An improperly adjusted weight-distributing hitch
may reduce handling, stability, and braking per-
formance, and could result in a collision.
•Weight-Distributing Systems may not be compat-
ible with surge brake couplers. Consult with your
hitch and trailer manufacturer or a reputable rec-
reational vehicle dealer for additional
information.
EXAMPLE — Without Weight-DistributingHitch (Incorrect)
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EXAMPLE — With Weight-Distributing Hitch (Correct)EXAMPLE — Improper Adjustment ofWeight-Distributing Hitch (Incorrect)
318 STARTING AND OPERATING

Trailer Hitch Classification
The rear bumper is intended to tow trailers up to
2,000 lbs (907 kg) without added equipment or altera-
tions to the standard equipment. Your vehicle may be
factory equipped for safe towing of trailers weighing
over 2,000 lbs (907 kg) with the optional Trailer Tow Prep
Package. See your authorized dealer for package content.
The following chart provides the industry standard for
the maximum trailer weight a given trailer hitch class can
tow and should be used to assist you in selecting the
correct trailer hitch for your intended towing condition.
Refer to “Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings)” for the website address that contains
the necessary information for your specific drivetrain.Trailer Hitch Classification DefinitionsClass Max. Trailer Hitch Industry Standards
Class I - Light Duty 2,000 lbs (907 kg)
Class II - Medium
Duty 3,500 lbs (1587 kg)
Class III - Heavy Duty 5,000 lbs (2268 kg)
Class IV - Extra
Heavy Duty 10,000 lbs (4540 kg)
Fifth Wheel/
Gooseneck Greater than 10,000 lbs
(4540 kg)
Refer to the “Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum
Trailer Weight Ratings)” for the Maximum Gross
Trailer Weight (GTW) towable for your given drive-
train.
All trailer hitches should be professionally installed on
your vehicle.
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Trailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings)
NOTE:For additional trailer towing information in-
cluding maximum trailer and tongue weight rating for
your vehicle, refer to the following website addresses:
•http:// www.ramtrucks.com
•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 sway severelyside 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 collisions. Consider the following items when computing the
weight on the rear axle of the vehicle:
•The tongue weight of the trailer.
•The weight of any other type of cargo or equipment
put in or on your vehicle.
•The weight of the driver and all passengers.
320 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING! (Continued)
•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 a collision.
•When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not
overload your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can
cause a loss of control, poor performance or dam-
age to brakes, axle, engine, transmission, steering,
suspension, chassis 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.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•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 PARK. For four-wheel drive ve-
hicles, make sure the transfer case is not in NEU-
TRAL. Always, block orchockthe trailer wheels.
•GCWR must not be exceeded.
•Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer so that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
2. GTW
3. GAWR
4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch uti-
lized (This requirement may limit the ability to
always achieve the 10% to 15% range of tongue
weight as a percentage of total trailer weight.)
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Speedometer........................ 181
Tachometer ......................... 182
Gear Ranges ........................... 253
General Information ................... 1 18,301
Glass Cleaning .......................... 386
Grocery Bag Retainer ..................... 165
Gross Axle Weight Rating ...............313,315
Gross Cargo Weight ...................... 312
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ................ 315
GVWR ............................... 312
Hands-Free Phone (Uconnect™) .............. 88
Hazard Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water ...................... 265
Hazard Warning Flasher ................... 334
Headlights ............................ 392
High Beam ......................... 138
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch ...... 138Lights On Reminder
.................. 135
Passing ............................ 137
Switch ............................ 134
Heated Seats ........................... 129
Heater, Engine Block ..................... 251
High Beam Indicator ..................... 180
High Beam/Low Beam Select (Dimmer) Switch . . 138
Hitches Trailer Towing ....................... 319
Holder, Cup ........................... 162
HomeLink® (Garage Door Opener) Transmitter . . 153
Hood Release .......................... 132
Ignition Key ............................... 12
Illuminated Entry ........................ 20
Immobilizer (Sentry Key) ................... 15
Infant Restraint ........................ 63,64
Inside Rearview Mirror .................... 85
438 INDEX

Tire Safety Information.................... 275
Tires ............................ 80,284,429
Aging (Life of Tires) .................. 291
Air Pressure ........................ 284
Chains ............................ 293
Changing .......................... 335
Compact Spare ...................... 288
General Information .................. 284
High Speed ......................... 286
Inflation Pressures .................... 285
Life of Tires ........................ 291
Load Capacity .................... 280,281
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ......... 296
Pressure Warning Light ................ 189
Quality Grading ..................... 429
Radial ............................ 287
Replacement ........................ 292
Rotation ........................... 295
Safety .......................... 275,284Sizes
............................. 276
Snow Tires ......................... 295
Spare Tire .......................... 337
Spinning ........................... 290
Tread Wear Indicators ................. 290
Wheel Nut Torque .................... 344
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .............. 320
Torque Converter Clutch .................. 257
Tow Hooks, Emergency ................... 351
Towing ............................... 314
24-Hour Towing Assistance ............. 102
Disabled Vehicle ..................... 352
Guide ............................. 320
Recreational ........................ 328
Weight ............................ 320
Towing Assistance ....................... 102
Traction .............................. 264
Trailer Towing .......................... 314
Cooling System Tips .................. 327
446 INDEX

Hitches............................ 319
Minimum Requirements ................ 321
Trailer and Tongue Weight .............. 320
Wiring ............................ 324
Trailer Towing Guide ..................... 320
Trailer Weight .......................... 320
Transaxle ............................. 252
Automatic ....................... 12,252
Manual ............................ 14
Operation .......................... 252
Transfer Case ........................... 381
Fluid ............................. 403
Transmission ........................ 253,378
Automatic .................... 249,253,378
Fluid ............................. 403
Maintenance ........................ 378
Transmitter Battery Service
(Remote Keyless Entry) .................... 24 Transmitter, Garage Door Opener
(HomeLink®)
.......................... 153
Tread Wear Indicators .................... 290
Trip Computer .......................... 147
Trip Odometer .......................... 183
Trip Odometer Reset Button ................ 191
Turn Signals ................... 137,179,392,394
Uconnect™ (Hands-Free Phone) .............. 88
Underhood Fuses ........................ 387
Uniform Tire Quality Grades ................ 429
Universal Transmitter ..................... 153
Unlock, Auto ........................... 31
Untwisting Procedure, Seat Belt .............. 46
Utility Rails, Rear Cargo Area ............... 167
Variance, Compass ....................... 152
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) ............ 6
Vehicle Loading ...................... 281,312
10
INDEX 447

Vehicle Modifications/Alterations.............. 7
Vehicle Storage ......................... 391
Voice Recognition System (VR) .............. 118
Warning Lights
(Instrument Cluster Description) ............. 179
Warnings and Cautions ..................... 6
Warranty Information ..................... 426
Washers, Windshield ..................... 141
Washing Vehicle ......................... 383
Water Driving Through ..................... 265
Weight Load Carrying .................... 312
Wheel and Wheel Trim .................... 384
Wheel and Wheel Trim Care ................ 384Wheel Changing
........................ 335
Wheel Nut Torque ....................... 344
Wind Buffeting .......................... 35
Window Fogging ........................ 242
Windows .............................. 33
Power ............................. 33
Rear Sliding ........................ 169
Windshield Defroster ................... 78,240
Windshield Washers .............139,140,141,368
Fluid .......................... 140,368
Windshield Wiper Blades .................. 367
Windshield Wipers .................... 139,140
Wiper Blade Replacement .................. 367
Wipers, Intermittent ...................... 140
Wrecker Towing ......................... 352
448 INDEX