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Tow question for Chysler T&C or Dodge Caravan Owners

Started by Camper Ron, Mar 14, 2006, 01:05 PM

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Camper Ron

Hi all,
I recently purchased a 2005 T&C and would like to know how to outfit it for towing my 2005 Fleetwood Colonial.  The PU with it's options weigh #1973.  The T&C does not have a towing package and has the 3.3 engine.  I am already going to put a tranny cooler on it but my real question is what hitch to use.  Should I get a Class III WDH or would I be alright with a Class II?  I was towing with a Class II on my old 1995 Caravan and it towed fine but if a Class III WDH would work better, I'd like to hear from you experienced Mopar owners.  Thanks in advance.
Ron

wynot

Quote from: Camper RonHi all,
I recently purchased a 2005 T&C and would like to know how to outfit it for towing my 2005 Fleetwood Colonial. The PU with it's options weigh #1973. The T&C does not have a towing package and has the 3.3 engine. I am already going to put a tranny cooler on it but my real question is what hitch to use. Should I get a Class III WDH or would I be alright with a Class II? I was towing with a Class II on my old 1995 Caravan and it towed fine but if a Class III WDH would work better, I'd like to hear from you experienced Mopar owners. Thanks in advance.
Ron
Ron,
 
I'm not a MOPAR person but...
If you have no hitch, get the Class III - there's just more stuff available for the 2" receiver, AND it is mounted stronger.  I don't know why you would necessarily have to get the WDH.  Will it work better?  Who knows...

HersheyGirl

I have a class II hidden hitch on my 2003 Grand Caravan.  It works fine and I don't want a larger one as it will hit every time I go over a bump in the road or go up my driveway.  I also put Timbren springs on the rear to keep it from sagging so much, as Caravans are known to do.  You will also need to get a full size spare if you don't already have one, don't want to tow with a donut tire.  I liked towing with my Caravan, but my driveway is so steep that the Caravan could not pull the camper up the drive, so I had to switch to a full size Chevy Van, which does do the job just fine.  One of these days I may get a smaller camper then I can go back to towing with the Caravan.

dthurk

We own a 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan and a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo.  Both are set up to tow.  Our camper fully loaded is 2140 lbs.  GVWR on the camper is 2440 lbs.  I believe the Caravan is rated for 2000 lbs without the tow package and 3500 lbs with a tow package.  We do not have a tow package.  We bought the Jeep for its 5000 lb rating, that it is more suitable for towing the camper.  I could have installed the tranny cooler, but I believe the factory tow package also includes beefier springs and a different differential.  You should be able to tow successfully, but you are right on the margin without the tow package.  Make sure everything is as good as you can make it with brakes, consider a sway bar over WDH, and keep it slow.  Do get the tranny cooler.

abbear

Check your owners manual!!!!  My Grand Caravan owners manual REQUIRED weight distribution on any trailer over 1000 lbs.  I don't think you can get that with a class II hitch.  You have a 2005 and I assume it is still under warranty.  Be sure you follow what the manufacturer says so you don't void your warranty.

tlhdoc

Check with a dealer to see what comes with the factory tow package and make sure you at least get a full size spare tire and tranny cooler for the van.  You will also have to get some wiring done to it.  I have used Timbren rubber springs on a Ford Windstar van and they helped a lot, towing or when the van was loaded.  Good luck and happy camping.:)

dthurk

Our (camper) dealer said we would have no problems towing with a Grand Caravan.    :yikes:  Where have I heard that before?

abbear

Quote from: dthurkOur (camper) dealer said we would have no problems towing with a Grand Caravan.    :yikes:  Where have I heard that before?

Yeah - ours told us the same thing.  The look on his face when I asked him where the wd was!!  He scrambled to get it added after I showed him that Dodge required it!

SpeakEasy

The assumption that I've operated on was that a front-wheel drive vehicle needs a weight-distributing hitch because without it the trailer takes too much weight off the drive wheels, making it unsafe. That's why so many mini-vans (which are almost all front-wheel drive) make poor tow vehicles. Correct me if I'm wrong. (Like you need to be invited to do that!)  :D

Camper Ron

You are all correct in stating that a mini van is not a good tow vehicle, that is for sure.  I've read PUX long enough to know that (along with personal experience) and I think most here spend much more time camping and towing than I do.  I don't really need a TV as much as I need a passenger vehicle that will tow my PU about 12 hours in an entire year. (As you can see, I don't get out much).  That said, making sure I understand what's written in the manual before buying a hitch, getting a tranny cooler and a full size spare is good advice.  Thank you all.  Ron.