Originally Posted by RichR

Your towing experience can only get better from that, that was the absolute worst setup you could have. Once you get a good hitch, brake controller, and mirrors towing will be a much better experience.

If I had my druthers I would have a dealer install and setup everything. You may pay more for it there but it will be done correctly. Ordering hitch parts comes with a hefty shipping cost whereas the dealer usually gets that delivered by a supplier at no cost to him. At least get an estimate for the hitch and controller installed. Setup with the trailer could be included with the cost of the hitch. If you install it and have to get him to make the adjustments you will be paying for it. Installing the brake controller if you are not already wired for it can be a pain also, but I believe you already have a plug under the dash that accepts a pre-made wiring harness. Look here:Brake Controller for 2002 Dakota by Dodge | etrailer.com

Originally Posted by Rolff

OK - I dug out my info from when I bought it and learned some stuff. I have a 3.92 with the Tow Package and a class IV hitch. What Dodge printed out for me with those specifics was that my tow limit was 5750# and a max tongue weight of 1200#. With a combined max weight of both at 10,500#. It also states the 15% rule. I weighed the truck when getting a load of rocks and PopRichie has the same trailer and had weighed it at 3400#. I don't have a bunk which is 150# not sure if Richard said his did.
FYI -You will have to buy the plug from Dodge for the brake controller and a brake controller from someone else.

Thanks so much for the numbers. Your axle is bigger and limits are higher but I am confident that our Dakota is going to do just fine. I called the manufacturer and found out my GCVW is 9200 and my tow limit is 5250 (not 5050 as I thought). My curb weight is 3777.

What is the 15% rule?

Too much info?

Nope. Very thankful for the info.


Driving down narrow streets with out mirrors is scary with the wide turning radius - Dakotas turn like they are 50 feet long anyway. If your husband had towed it on the open road he would have felt like it wasn't even there. The confidence and comfort happen with experience. If you do get it - drive it around on a quiet day to get used to it and tell him it gets easier backing it... eventually. I am quite happy with mine. As you can see from my profile they look good together on the road.

Yes, they look very nice. I showed my husband your pictures last week after we tried to tow the hi-lo. You were my proof that it could be done! When he saw the picture of yours in the snow he started believing me. Also, he commented on how nice it looks with the shell. We don't have a shell but I think we might get one eventually.

He had to back it into the people's driveway that own it. It was a super narrow street and a super narrow driveway and it only took him two tries. I was mighty impressed.


Also to consider: We have about 200# of clothes and gear. The food and drinks another ~200. The water tank when full is 150# 2 20# propane tanks. Unless it's winter I don't carry both propane full and if water is availabe I fill up at my destination and dump the holding tanks and water at the first opportunity on the way home.

Originally Posted by sam

If you decide to have the Rv dealer set you up for towing you could take cellphone pictures,camera pictures or video. Take notes as to what number he uses on the chain. It can be tricky even for an Rv dealer. They set us up one way and then somemonths later one of the mechanics made a correction. They had the devil of a time getting our sway installed correctly. Get your truck all set up then bring in the HiLo to make sure all is well with your towing setup. Should be no charge for the second check if you had them do the wdh and brake controller. Yes,you pay the RV mechanic and along with that comes a warranty for parts.

Originally Posted by Rolff

Cheryl,
Be careful asking questions you'll hear all you want to know. What you should have guessed by now Hi-Lo owners have a great passion and loyalty for their trailers. That says volumes. I hope it works out for you.

Originally Posted by inthepink

Replies to your post are in bold above.

Thank you again for all of the helpful info. I'm so glad you had pics of your Dakota pulling your Hi-Lo. They totally helped my husband to reconsider.

Originally Posted by Rolff

The 15% Rule - Sorry it is the same as PopRitchies 85% rule. Dodge had posted - 15% less than max - Richard had said 85% of max - Sorry for the confusion.
Tell your husband that I live in SLC and tow up Parley's canyon on I-80. It is a 13 mile continuous upgrade with 5 and 6 % grades. My Dodge handles it fine.
I live on a narrow street with a narrow drive. Backing it in w/o mirrors on 2 tries is impressive.

Originally Posted by Rolff

In the pictures in the snow we were about 4 miles up a reasonable dirt road. We packed up in a hurry to leave before the snow melted. We drove out with about 20 feet of visibility being carefull of where all 8 of the wheels went. It took about 45 minutes to get out. When we got to the highway the sun burst out and it was beautiful and the road turned to mud. The nest town we hit - Loa, Ut I bought foam insulation tubes to seal off some of that wind that snuck in. The foaks at the Ace Hardware told us we had camped at a place known by the locals as "windy ridge".
I'll post a few more photos in my albums.

Originally Posted by inthepink

Speaking of tow mirrors... Do you have any that you particularly like for your Dakota? We need to order some.

Originally Posted by inthepink

That drive out sounds really scary.

Originally Posted by inthepink

Speaking of tow mirrors... Do you have any that you particularly like for your Dakota? We need to order some.

Originally Posted by sting32

What year dakota? Mine (a 2000 model EXT cab v8, sport) has the same mirrors as the "normal" or STD mirrors that were availble on a 1500 (& the 2500 diesel we own--> that doesnt have upgraded mirrors) so I share the ones that slide over existing mirrors to extend, I like them.

Amazon.com: CIPA 10500 Dodge Custom Pair Towing Mirrors: Automotive

I Sourced them last year, I believe from another site, but with ship was under 60 near xmas time (gave them to Father for xmas, knowing I needed them too! .

Depends on the existing factory mirrors of course. Goto CIPA CIPA-USA - Your one-stop source for mirrors and aftermarket accessories see if your stock mirror matches?