Check Dodge Dakota's owners manual to find how much weight your vehicle can pull to determine the right size of the fifth-wheel camper. Do not overload the camper. Follow the limits set forth in your Dakota's manual.
Check the air pressure in tires of Dodge Dakota as well as fifth-wheel camper for the required pounds per square inch in the tires of both vehicles.
Move the fifth-wheel camper's trailer to set its kingpin to the proper truck height.
Open the locking bar on the Dodge Dakota. Connect the camper's kingpin with Dakota's locking bar and secure it. When done, reverse the truck until the two lock together.
Walk around the entire trailer to check if all lights and turning signals are working properly.
Load the camper and follow the weight limits set forth in your Dakota's manual.
Put your Dodge Dakota in forward gear but do not give it any acceleration at this point. Knock the locking bar connected with camper's kingpin to ensure it is properly locked with camper.
Raise the fifth-wheel camper's landing gear. Start your Dodge Dakota and pull out slowly. Follow speed limit and traffic rules and always remember that you have a heavy load on the back of your vehicle.
