To Tow or not to Tow... 3600 lbs REALLY?
#1
To Tow or not to Tow... 3600 lbs REALLY?
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!
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!
#2
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.
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.
#3
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/
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/
#4
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.
Last edited by kuyabribri; 07-02-2013 at 11:49 AM. Reason: removed a statement
#5
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.
And my 2005 3.8L SXT with tow package get mes 27.1 mpg cruising 70 mph at 2100 rpm on the hwy.
#6
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.
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