Trailer Hitch and Wiring Recommendation for 2001 Dodge Durango

Question:

Hi - I want to tow an Aros 12foot trailer weight 250lbs. with a Polaris Ranger 1288lbs. using a 2001 Dodge Durango SLT 4x4. My towing capacity is 4100lbs although the Durango currently has no trailer hitch or connections for lights/brakes/etc. My question is: What would you recommend so that I could hook the trailer up? Also, I am hearing horror stories about trailers fishtailing with catastrophic results. Do you think I would need an anti-swap damper of some sort based upon my load? I will be driving from Southern California up to Washington. Thanks for your help!

asked by: Scott

Expert Reply:

If your vehicle has a 4,100 lb capacity and you plan to tow a trailer that weighs 1,538 lbs you would have no problem and we can help pick you out what you need.

You'd want to start with a hitch confirmed to fit like the Draw Tite part # 75081 which has more than enough capacity. For trailer wiring you then would want the part # 118334 which is confirmed as a fit.

Since you wanted to do some towing you might be interested in etrailer ball mount kit # 989900. It comes with 2 ball mounts; one with a 3/4 inch rise or 2 inch drop and one with a 2-3/4 inch rise or 4 inch drop. It also includes a 1-7/8 inch ball, 2 inch ball, hitch pin with clip, and a storage bag.

If the ball mount kit does not include a ball mount with the right rise or drop to tow the trailer level, check out the link I have included that explains how to measure to choose a ball mount to tow the trailer level.

As long as you get your trailer level and have the tongue weight of your trailer between 10 and 15 percent of the total trailer weight you won't have a sway problem.

We recommend sway control when the weight of the trailer is over 50 percent of the total capacity for the vehicle. Since you aren't at 50 percent yet a WD system wouldn't be necessary.