Community Forums

daryl989mich · 12-23-2016, 07:59 AM

My local Dodge dealership tells me I can tow my 2001 Dodge Dakota 4wheel drive with automatic transmission. But then added they will take no responsibility. I am looking for those who may have towed the same model in the past or present. Thanks for any response.

Flyboy757 · 12-23-2016, 08:27 AM

Check the owners manual to see what it says.

Route 66 · 12-23-2016, 08:43 AM

I agree with checking the owners manual.

It must be in writing, not what the dealer says.

Dutch Star Don · 12-23-2016, 12:45 PM

You need to find an owner's manual. Usually, you can find them online for free, but apparently that old of a model isn't free. If you can find one, there will be info under "Recreational Towing" if it's towable. Obviously, it has to be 4wd.

I owned a 2005 Dakota that I towed of a couple of years. It was easy to tow, just shift to 4wd.

RBeau1954 · 12-23-2016, 12:50 PM

I have a 2000 Dodge Dakota, 4 WD and have towed it 4 down with no issues, put the transaxle in neutral and that disengages everything. You will need to be concerned with the steering lock if you are gonna tow 4 down. I am not sure what I did but I eventually went to a tow dolly cause we have a couple different vehicles we tow so it was easier to deal with when the wife wanted our New Beetle on trips and I wanted my truck on trips.

Route 66 · 12-24-2016, 05:24 AM

Remco states that it is towable, but they also state to check the owners manual to confirm.

Store : Remco

hindsrc · 12-26-2016, 08:20 PM

I just traded off a 2007 Dodge Dakota 4x4 that we used for flat towing, ours you put trans in neutral, take a pen and push button to disengage transfer case, disconnect battery.

Need to check your manual, [moderator edit]

daryl989mich · 12-27-2016, 06:33 AM

Rick......did you have to stop and run engine after several hundred miles......or was there no concern about the transmission? Some vehicles are towable but require some attention on longer trips.

RBeau1954 · 12-27-2016, 11:18 AM

The few times I towed it was for a short distance, like 75 miles, so never did anything to it. Never had any issues.

lancslad · 12-27-2016, 07:35 PM

We have a 2003 Dakota 4x4 and this summer completed a 16500 mile trip to Alaska and back. We had no problems with the MH or Dodge. We tow 4 down and most times don't even know the towed is there. The truck has 166000 on the clock and has an additional 100k towing which does not show. I put a charge line on it from the coach 7pin.
To tow Put in Neutral, press the brake and using a ballpoint pen press the neutral switch. Put shift in park and turn key to accessory position. (this unlocks the steering wheel).
We have a Blue Ox brake which is powered from the plug in (hence the separate power line). When that operates it moves the brake pedal and puts on the brake lights. Disconnect the battery and you have no power to the brake lights or the aux braking system.

hindsrc · 12-28-2016, 05:47 PM

daryl989mich

No we did not run the engine, when you disengage the transfer case it disconnects from the transmission. One time I was on the phone while connecting, turned the key off and put the transmission in park, only towed about 300 feet when I realized what I had done, vehicle towed fine. Reason for leaving the ignition on is to prevent the steering wheel lock from engaging.