I guess the question is not whether or not to tow, but how much to tow. We will be getting a pop-up of some kind either today or tomorrow. I get such conflicting information about how much weight my 2012 Grand Caravan SE can tow.

website says 3600 lbs with the tow package. So I call the dealer to find out what exactly comes with the tow package and they tell me the wiring and the hitch. That's IT. No tranny cooler, bigger alternator...etc. So I'm assuming that 3600 lbs is the max it can tow, regardless. I was under the assumption that adding the tow package from the dealer ups your towing capacity by around 2,000 lbs, so without the package you can only tow 1,600 lbs. But how can you tow anything without a harness and a hitch???

I'm so confused. We added a hitch and wiring last year from Uhaul to tow a 12 ft. pop up, and it towed great. No problems. We got rid of that one and are looking at getting a newer 12 ft. pop-up WITH a slide out, so total weight of this pop up would be about 2,100 lbs. Am I still safe to tow that???? We are a family of 6.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

http://forum.chryslerminivan.net/sho...th-CREW-or-R-T

It sure doesn't look good when a 2013 SE is listed to tow only 1600 lbs: http://www.dodge.com/en/2013/grand_c.../#/performance

-- That's sure worse than my 99 Sport which was loaded and also towed a fully loaded 5 x 10 Uhaul cargo trailer, from Houston to Chicago.

My 2005 G.C. SXT with tow package can tow 3700 lbs, 100 lbs more than the current Dodge / Chrysler minivan with the tow package.

 

Wow... that's certainly confusing. Elsewhere on the website (multiple places) says 3600 lbs for all models. Dealer also says 3600 lbs.

I went and talked to mechanics and a Dodge sales manager at the dealership and they both say the Grand Caravan already comes with a transmission cooler, and the only thing I could consider getting would be load leveling suspension for the rear to help with not bottoming out.

http://www.dodge.com/hostc/vsmc/vehi...Code=CUD201305


http://www.dodge.com/en/2013/grand_c...rmance/towing/

 

This requires some clarification. All vehicles with automatic transmission come with a transmission cooler out of the factory, but for many non-heavy duty vehicles the factory cooler is integrated with either the radiator or the A/C condenser (the latter in the case of the Grand Caravan). Usually in the context of towing when one talks about a transmission cooler they are talking about a separate unit mounted on the front of the condenser that works in series with the factory cooler to increase the cooling capacity. You can look down behind the grille and see if there is a smaller unit mounted to the front of the A/C condenser with hoses sticking out of it. If there is, then that is most likely a transmission cooler.

Whether or not you absolutely need an aftermarket transmission cooler is up for debate; most websites I've read recommend installing one, but I've heard of people who have had no problems towing with a Grand Caravan without an aftermarket cooler.

 

I think your stuck towing only 1600 lbs with a 2012 SE. I think you have to upgrade to a better uplevel model with the tow package or maybe downgrade to a 2005 to 2007 SXT or Town & Country with a tow package. The 4th gen minivan are 2.6 sec slower 0 - 60, but they can tow 3700 lbs with stow n go seats... 100 lbs better towing than a 5th gen.

And my 2005 3.8L SXT with tow package get mes 27.1 mpg cruising 70 mph at 2100 rpm on the hwy.

 

This is a catch 22 really. Yes, it would help with bottoming out. However, if you ever needed to replace them, they are very expensive.

Additionally, although I don't know much about the latest generation of vans, the 4th gen vans were/are notorious for transmissions eventually tanking. If the latest are anything like the 4th gens, I would be hesitant to put additional load on the tranny.

 

This is very strange, why did they drop the towing capacity 2000lbs for several trims in the 2013 lineup? I have a 2012 SXT which clearly states a 3600lb towing capacity, but I want to be sure I'm not doing anything potentially harmful to my transmission before I go pushing it.

 

http://forum.chryslerminivan.net/sho...-duty-radiator

 

Thanks, that's a great thread. I confirmed that all 2012s can tow the full 3600. It seems that the 2011s have the tranny cooler, but probably lack the improved shocks if you don't have the two pack. Maybe they changed back to that for the 2013 lineup. I thought it was great that everything could tow the full capacity last year and was a big reason we bought dodge.

 

Hello,
I appreciate anyone who can provide their experience towing, tips, tricks, or advice to not tow. I am about ready to sign papers to buy this beautiful small travel trailer that will max out on towing specs it says my vehicle can tow. But, after going up the mountains with my boys for a weekend trip to the lake, I am concerned. It doesn't seem like my van has a lot of power even on the flat road, but definitely was struggling when going up the mountain and down the mountain. Is it safe to tow something? Thank you for sharing your experiences and/or information to help me ensure safety.