Towing with a Dodge Caravan 06

[joey2525]

I have purchased my first pop up.  Its a starcraft starliner. We are very excited and now are beging the process of setting up my hitch.  Everyone I have spoken with says I should have no problem because I am rate for 3500lbs. I have the factory installed transmission cooler.  I am getting no shortage of advice about types of hitches and have had one friend strongly suggest a sway bar. Another says thats crazy its just a pop up.  Any suggestions and reccomendations? Also recommendations for electric brake control on my TV?

We will towing the pop up, two adults, and three young kids.

[motoboss2002]

Hi,

Congrats on your purchase. Not too long ago I had similar questions. I got good advice here on this forum, as well as from my dealership. My 2 cents are simple: safety first. I got a sway bar and I am glad I did. I also went for the Prodigy brake controller and I am really glad I did. When I brought the pup home from the dealer I got cut off by a driver who missed an exit. So glad I had the brake controller.

As for loading up to go, my wife and I have been avid tent campers for many many years and have learnt to go light. You'd be amazed what you really don't need to bring. With gas prices what they are, 100 lbs less is a good thing.

Happy camping.

[GeneF]

Prodigy  Yes
Sway Bar Yes

The sway bar will be extra protection but worth the $100.

Ford Windstar I towed with, I didn't need a sway bar.
Toyota Sienna I towed with, needed the sway bar.

[brainpause]

... one friend strongly suggest a sway bar. Another says thats crazy its just a pop up.  

That friend has never had even a small trailer to get away from him.

I didn't use a sway bar with my popup when we had it, but our popup was particularly very heavy on the front end. I also had a stiff suspension in a 4WD truck. There was likely 20% or more tongue weight, and the thing NEVER swayed.

However, this is quite unusual. With a front wheel drive van (isn't yours?), sway might be more likely to happen, although this is debate-able. Also, the softer suspension of a van makes it more likely to sway.

My advice: As others, $100 is cheap insurance. Better yet, load properly, drive no faster than the speed limit, keep popup tires at their max pressure, no sudden moves, and you'll arrive safely.

Oh, and don't take any more advice from the guy that says a sway bar is crazy on a popup.

Larry

[PattieAM]

My dealership installed a friction sway contol, and explained that it helped prevent the sway especially when being passed by semi's on the road.  It is a nice 'insurance' when towing not to have the sway.  

I feel it's well worth the expense - safety first.  Kinda funny - I often tow my riding tractor on a flatbed utility trailer - almost want to have a sway bar installed on that to lessen the 'bounce'.  Stability is nice.

[Clarabelle]

I pulled our Flagstaff 228 all over Idaho and into Wyoming and Montana this summer with a '91 Dodge Caravan.  I had trailer brakes (a must in my book) but no sway bars.  We were in some pretty good winds at times and had no trouble at all.  Sway bars are great with bigger trailers, but I found no need with my PUP.

[fallsrider]

There are many factors, apparently, that affect sway on a trailer. But some trailers are just more prone to sway. Our Jayco has never swayed once. It's TW is only 10% at best, we tow it with a Sienna minivan, and it has never been a problem. From what I've read on these forums, some trailers are prone to sway and some aren't. I guess we are fortunate.

[HersheyGirl]

I towed my Jayco trailer with my Caravan and did not have any problems with sway.  My Palomino is terrible with sway.  So, it all depends what trailer you end up getting.  Jayco's that have surge brakes need special sway bars, if you need one, but other trailers most often do need friction sway bars for safty sake.  Good luck.

[tlhdoc]

Congratulations on the new camper.  I remember how excited I was when I purchased my first PU.  Sway bars don't prevent sway, but when sway starts the sway bar helps stop the sway.  There are many factors that go together to produce sway.  If the tires are not properly inflated (soft side walls can contribute to sway), if the camper is not loaded evenly side to side, if there isn't enough tongue weight, road conditions, weather conditions (if wet leave your sway bar a little bit looser), the speed you are traveling, the camper itself and the tow vehicle.  Some of these variables change every time you tow.  To be on the safe side I would go with a friction sway bar (unless you have surge brakes like Hersheygirl said).  One other thing about sway bars, take them off before you back up.  You can cause some damage by backing up with one on the rig.

[woodthumb]

assuming your starcraft is around 2000 lbs... the caravan will do great... I tow a 2200 lb coleman with my 06 town and dont know its back there....( we are in flat FLA tho )  I too have the factory tow prep and opted for the mopar hitch which actually replaces the original bumper assy... very nice, hidden, heavy duty, but about 450 installed.. by the way, I hate the seats in this thing....you ?  biggest vehicle mistake I ever made... uncomfortable seats... oh well learn and figure it out... 14 days to Daytona !    be safe