HELP: newbie safe towing w/minivan?

[mobrien207]

I'm at my wit's end trying to find reliable information.  We have  2005 Chyrsler T&C minivan, 3.8L V6 207hp, no towing package.   GWVR 5700, Max tow is 3800lbs with tow package, 2000 without.  Nobody in our area had a minivan with a tow package.  We'd prefer to buy a hybrid but will settle for a pop-up.  I'm told from rvwholesalers that we really can't tow anything, in large part because of the FWD of the van.  We will install the hitch and any other safety features recoemmended to bring us up to par so that we could tow a 19' hybrid, but can't get a straight answer as to whether we can do that and if towing will be safe.

If you have any advice or references/referrals to help us solve this problem I'd greatly appreciate it.  Otherwise we're back to tenting...which means never.  Chrysler and all the local dealers have been on help.  TIA,
mobrien207
NJ

[towrod]

You should install a transmission cooler before attempting to tow any trailer.  How much does the Hybrid trailer weigh?  
How much does the gear/water that you will have in the trailer weigh?  
How many people/gear/pets will be in the minivan while towing?
 
FWIW we had a 19' Hi-Lo Towlite that we pulled with at 2002 Honda Odyssey for several seasons with no trouble.   Had the Honda Dealer install the tow package(tranny cooler & hitch) on the Odyssey.  Dry weight of the trailer was ~2750 lbs.  Towrating on the minivan was 3500 lbs.

[GeneF]

mobrien

Use the search button and type in minivan.  You should get about 6 or 7 threads that have discussed this topic.

Towing with a minivan is oft debated and you will find a lot of pros and cons.

I pulled four popups with four different minivans, one  had the tow package and the others did not.  I never had any problems.

Major problem was my 2000 Sienna and 98 Mesa.  I could not tow it without a sway bar but it towed fine with the sway bar.

Personally, I would stay with a popup with a minivan but then that is my opinion.