Hello. I have a 2005 Grand Caravan. Next Spring, we are hoping to get a pop up camper to pull behind it. It is rated at 3,800lbs towing and I don't plan on getting a camper that weights more than that. I'd just like to have some extra pulling power especially for going up hills on the highway.

We had a 2001 Coleman pop up that was 2,500lbs which we pulled behind our 2001 Cherokee that was rated for 5,000lbs towing. The Jeep pulled it fine but couldn't keep speed up going up hills on the highway without putting the pedal to the floor.

So with a vehicle rated at 3,800lbs towing pulling a 2,500-3,800lb camper is going to be even worse than the Jeep which was rated for 5,000lbs towing.

I'd like to find a larger throttle body. I know they make bolt on ones for my Jeep but can't find any for the van. All I have found online was some computer chips, cold air intake and flow through exhaust. Along with adding more engine power, I'm going to install cross drilled/slotted rotors, beef up the rear suspension, large tranny cooler and install a trailer brake controller.

Any ideas? Thanks

 

Get a truck!!!!!!!

 

That didn't really answer my question but thanks for trying

 

what you want to do is dangerous and stupid. GET A TRUCK!!!!! use a vehicle appropriate for the application!!!

 

 

What I am doing is not stupid. As stated before, I AM NOT getting a camper rated for more than what the van can tow stock. I just want more power to keep up with the speed limit while going up hills on the highway. I don't see how that can be stupid.

 

all the people you'll be holding up, while climbing the hill would dissagree with you

 

what goes up must come down and the brakes on a minivan are not designed to effectively stop some camper tacked on the back!

People that treat a car (which is all a minivan is) like a truck need to get off the road!. it does NOT have the chassis, frame, suspension, brakes to properly handle towing loads!!!!!! The trailer hitches on these vehicles only bolt to sheet metal there is no frame structure.

I say this after seeing a dead family splattered all over the interstate because they lost control towing a camper with an undersized vehicle. They passed me at the top of the big hill on Interstate 57 near Marion IL. by the bottom of the hill they lost control, rolled numerous times and I watched little kids ejected and killed on the expressway.

So when it comes to this subject, I'll say it the way it needs to be said. you want to tow, get a truck!!!!

 

Hi Aaron , Go to your favorite tire store an buy 2 front tires 205 x 40 or 205 x 45 or 205 x 50 . This will give you very "low towing gears" that you can eaisly change back to normal tires { 225 x 60 x 16 } when you come back from camping . the very low side wall tires will give that xtra power that will only affect your van when you need it with no ill effects from modifications that will get deep in your pockets .You will need 2 new or used wheels . This will be the cheapeast way to go with out making costly mod's to your engine & power train .Any of these tires will make you think you have a v-8 under the hood . Your speed sensor will keep your odometer correct . My thoughts Duane

 

that is stupid, dangerous and totally false statements! your abs will be affected, the load rating of low profile tires is less, the speedo and odometer will be way off.