Towing a Uhaul trailer behind 1998 Dakota.
Question:
What about a trailer hitch? Uhaul said they'd have to see the truck to know if i need a permanent one or a temp. I looked in the Dakota manual and it was talking about Class 1 hitches, etc. I guess that's what I get (?). Would it be pretty easy for Uhaul to hook up a trailer (and hitch). Does it put alot of stress on the engine to pull this 400 miles?
Answer:
U-Haul is being conservative and they should be. Their trailers are pretty
heavy. The issue for You is weight distribution. and brakes. Your 318 if it
is a 318 is an 8 by the way.
If you don't have a hitch and you just put a ball on the step bumper then
yes, class 1 is about what you have. thats about a 1500 pund trailer. Class
2 gets to 2000/2500 pounds. Your Dakota simply won't have the brakes to deal
with anyting bigger.
Having moved more than once in the past 5 years, twice being across
the country let me issue a few words here.
1. Rent the truck that will get the move done with at one time and if
you need to go ahead and get a trailer for your pickup (only one
driver). Overall it's easier, quicker, and better for your truck. Do
not use a car dolly!
2. If your going to go with the trailer then go ahead and go get a
bolt on hitch from Reese or other amnufacturer. They are easy to bolt
on and you'll find it cheaper to buy it form Autozone or other shop
than UHaul. you will also need to grab a trailer light kit while at
Autozone which will connect right into your existing wiring with no
splicing.
3. Unless you are taking on some serious hills then get the largest
trailer UHaul has and just balance the weight out on each load. Don't
fill up one load with all books and then the next load with clothes.
Make sure to place the load 40-30-30, front to back in the trailer or
you will get real bad swinging.
4. While at Autozone go ahead and get an external tranny cooler. Even
at 400 miles you could cook your transmission (Auto). They are simple
to install and although those in here will tell you to build brakcets,
etc to install you can get away with the nylon connectors for now.
5. Run high test gas, don't drive during the hottest part of the day,
and give yourself plenty or room to brake.
I recently pulled the largest UHaul trailer across the country (across
both Applachian and Rocky mtns) with a Jimmy and had no problems at
all. Course I had a hitch and tranny cooler but was really pleased
witht the overall performance.
the only hitch you get is a trailer ball mounted in the back bumper.
Lights also need to be wired. If you are confident that U-haul has
the skill to install trailer wiring into your truck.....then go for
it.
But based upon your questions and the description of your Dak, I would
also recommend that you rent a large moving truck and do the move at
one go.
A V-6 318? I want one! Anyways YES they will prob put a temp hook-up on
for you. Plus their trailers have surge brakes on them. What that means is
that the trailers have there own braking system that does not depend on the
towing truck. When you slow down or stop the trailer surges forwarrd abit and
applies the local brakes. One of the downsides to this braking system is
backing up a steep grade, it tends puts pressure on the tongue and applies the
brakes as well.
I have a 99 Dakota CC 4X4 5.2 w/towing and heavy duty service package and
used it to haul my 86 mustang (about 3200 lbs.) on a 16' X 8' trailer (about
1000 lbs.) ( total of about 4200 lbs.) about 135 miles through the Ozark
Mountains in northern Arkansas. My Dakota impressed me. Did an excellent job
pulling and stopping the total of a 8600 lbs. (4200 load and the 4400
Dakota). DON'T GET ME WRONG, THAT WEIGHT IS 2600 LBS. OVER THE CAPACITY OF
THE TRUCK AND I AM NOT SAYING THAT IT IS SAFE TO DO THAT AT ALL AND WOULDN'T
ADVISE DOING IT. You have to know what you are doing and what your vehicle
is capable of when pulling a lot of weight. Take it easy and you won't have
any problems.
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