Towing kit advice help

I have a 5x8 open trailer with a diamond plate floor (not wood like the Lowes ones).

It's on the books at the tag agency at 600 pounds empty.

My Dakota only has a bumper mount ball and it does fine.

I load the hell out of that trailer sometimes, and I do plan on getting a frame mount hitch if I can find one that clears my exhaust.

Frame mount hitches are super tricky on uni-body cars, esp with fuel tanks in the way. At least you don't have valance panels to work around.


You might consider a hitch that clamps to the bumper. Not pretty but better than 4 bolts in a 6 to 8 inch line on the same plane.

Also I'd check your bumper to body mount areas real thoroughly. That can be a rust prone area IIRC.