RE: 1998 Chrysler Town & Country GCWR

[SactoCampers]

 I try to pass on useful information when I find it.....
 
 Since it wasn t anywhere in my owner s manual, on my door jamb sticker, nor anywhere on the internet, I decided to contact Chrysler Customer Assistance directly yesterday via e-mail to find my groww combined weight rating and they responded today (unexpectedly good customer service). I had been assuming an 8000 lb GCWR.
 
 While most people in these and other forums have been assuming a GCWR of 8000 lbs, it turns out my GCWR for a Town & Country LXi AWD with tow package is 8300 lbs. An unexpected, but nice, surprise.
 
 Unfortunately, I forgot to inquire about frontal area restrictions so I sent a follow up.
 
 So this opens up another can of worms. I either have a 4100 lb tow capacity (8300 GCWR - 4200 lb dry minivan weight), or a 3500 lb tow capacity with 600 lbs of cargo and gear in the minivan.
 
 I m well below my previously assumed 8000 lb GCWR, but it s nice to know I have a little more cushion.
 
 Here s a link to my website with the information:
 http://sactocampers.tripod.com/sactocamperswebpage/id18.html

[birol]

 SactoCampers
Hi Sactocampers,
 
 Shouldn t you be using the curb weight to calculate the tow capacity ? I bet that would put you right at or around 3,500 Lbs.
 
 Sincerely respectfully yours []
 
 
 

[SactoCampers]

 birol

ORIGINAL:  birol
 
 Hi Sactocampers,
 
 Shouldn t you be using the curb weight to calculate the tow capacity ? I bet that would put you right at or around 3,500 Lbs.
 
 Sincerely respectfully yours []
 
 

 Depends how you re defining curb weight. If it s just me in the car, then I take 8300 lbs - 4200 lbs curb weight - 175 lb Sactocamper = 3925, so I guess you re right. I inadvertently assumed a 150 lb driver in the 8300 GCWR, which is incorrect. GCWR is the GCWR period. So from the 3925, I would subtract all people and cargo to determine my true *remaining* tow capacity.
 
 
 Trying to guess how much weight we really have in the minivan is more difficult than finding what we have to work with and not exceeding it, giving plenty of cushion, and then going and weighing it. To me, GCWR is the most important figure.
 
 What this means is that it throws to the wind the assumption of 3500 lbs *minus* all people and cargo. The reality is that it s somewhere near 3900 lbs using that assumption OR 3500 lbs *plus* a few hundred pounds of people, cargo.
 
 
 BTW, I received a response to my follow up question about frontal area and the frontal area restriction is 32 sq. feet.[&:][]
 

[Red neff Barchetta]

 SactoCampers
Brian -
 You hurt my brain when you talk like that!

[birol]

 SactoCampers
Curb weight : Teh weight of the vehicle when it has no passengers, but has full complement of all fluids/liquids and stuff necessary for it to run. That s how I was thought ......
 
 
 You are right about the GCWR - Curb weight calculation though ....
 
 
 Respectfully yours once again ...

[SactoCampers]

 birol

ORIGINAL:  birol
 
 Curb weight : Teh weight of the vehicle when it has no passengers, but has full complement of all fluids/liquids and stuff necessary for it to run. That s how I was thought ......
 
 
 You are right about the GCWR - Curb weight calculation though ....
 
 
 Respectfully yours once again ...
 

 I shouldn t have said dry weight. I meant curb weight. From all the sources where I have collected the weight of the minivan, it was expressed as curb weight. I suppose I just meant unloaded weight, and used the RV term " dry weight"  rather than curb weight.
 
 Have fun in your MOAT at the Eastern Rally. I think we should all pool together into a Paypal account so we can help finally get you into a popup! Nobody should have to go as long as you have without a popup [&:][].
 

[birol]

 SactoCampers
I was just teasing you little bit, I am glad tyou took it the way it waw meant to be
 
 I will enjoy the Eastern rally tremendously ! Kids are really looking forward to it, so am I !