Dodge Caravan The Dodge Caravan is the best selling mini van from Dodge. How many Dodge Caravan owners here at DodgeForum.com would agree? Discuss it now!

Load Leveling feature

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 5, 2012 | 09:19 PM
  #1  
GaryC's Avatar
GaryC
Thread Starter
|
Rookie
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 63
Likes: 1
From: Chicago
Default Load Leveling feature

I noticed the 2013 RT doesn't come standard with load leveling rear.
I do see trailer sway assist though.
I am planning on buying a caravan to haul my motorcycle around with on a hitch hauler, and need the load leveling capability. how does it work?
 
Reply
Old Oct 5, 2012 | 09:49 PM
  #2  
thevalleyboy's Avatar
thevalleyboy
Amateur
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 46
Likes: 5
Default

what does the cycle weigh - unless you have a big trailer - a bike and small trailer should be nothing... but the load leveling is always nice, can always get an airlift for the back end, that is my plans, I think you mean all on the back end, total hitch weight, probably a problem from that alone, these unibodies just don't have that in them, or not legal
 
Reply
Old Oct 5, 2012 | 11:22 PM
  #3  
kingofwylietx's Avatar
kingofwylietx
Professional
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
Default

The load leveling is achieved by the shocks. As you drive, there is a mechanism in them that levels the vehicle. It doesn't work until you start moving.

You only need the shocks.
 
Reply
Old Oct 6, 2012 | 09:31 AM
  #4  
b1lk1's Avatar
b1lk1
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 340
Likes: 1
From: Lindsay, Ontario, Canada
Default

Any more than 500lbs tongue weight will rip the hit assembly from the frame. Might not do it right away, but that is too much for this style vehicle.
 
Reply
Old Oct 6, 2012 | 11:16 AM
  #5  
kingofwylietx's Avatar
kingofwylietx
Professional
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
Default

What is the the motorcycle?
 
Reply
Old Oct 6, 2012 | 12:18 PM
  #6  
b1lk1's Avatar
b1lk1
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 340
Likes: 1
From: Lindsay, Ontario, Canada
Default

I should add that I personally would never use a shock load leveling device for this. Only airbags will give proper load handling for over 300lbs tongue weight. Even then you are overloading.
 
Reply
Old Oct 6, 2012 | 02:15 PM
  #7  
steak59's Avatar
steak59
Record Breaker
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,873
Likes: 8
Default

The only difference is the Shock used. You can replace the shock to load leveling shock. Those Shock does look different, they are a lot bigger.
 
Reply
Old Oct 6, 2012 | 08:54 PM
  #8  
GaryC's Avatar
GaryC
Thread Starter
|
Rookie
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 63
Likes: 1
From: Chicago
Default

Originally Posted by kingofwylietx
What is the the motorcycle?
The bike is a Suzuki DR650which weighs 360 lbs. The carrier weighs 45 lbs.
I also have a small 3 rail trailer to tow more than one dirt bike.
When i ride by myself out of state, I would hang the bike off the back of my Dakota and sleep in the back of the truck.
The Dakota is gone now and i want to buy the Caravan RT to do the same, tow the bike and sleep in it with the seats stowed.
 
Reply
Old Oct 6, 2012 | 10:58 PM
  #9  
kingofwylietx's Avatar
kingofwylietx
Professional
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
Default

I would recommend a small trailer for the bike. Then you will have additional storage space and a way to carry extra fuel without stinking up your van. Also, we have a 12 Caravan R/T and love it.
 
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2012 | 09:51 AM
  #10  
b1lk1's Avatar
b1lk1
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 340
Likes: 1
From: Lindsay, Ontario, Canada
Default

Dodge Dakota is designed to have that kind of weight hanging off the frame while the Caravan is a unibody and is just not gonna do that. It would be unsafe. Time for a small trailer as suggested if you are going to make the switch.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:07 PM.