I am thinking about purchasing a 4x6 cargo trailer to pull some sound equipment in a couple times a month. Most trips will be less than 100 miles round trip. Our van does not have the tow package, but thru searching the forum see that evidently all of these have the tranny cooler, tow package or not.

Van is a 3.8

Trailer weight: 750 lbs
Cargo: 400 lbs in trailer
6 passengers in van

Will I be safe to tow this 1150 pounds with only adding the hitch? Don't want to harm the tranny.

Thanks!

 

any input?

 

You should read your manual... it has all the "RIGHT" information about your caravan... on page 398 of your manual, it states your GCWR ratings (7000lbs for your caravan) It also states that with 6 to 7 persons + luggage, you should only pull 1000lbs. So you are a 150lbs over weight... but you don't have that 7th person. If you want to be sure of not being over 7000 lbs, go weight your caravan with everyone in it with luggage and trailer loaded at a truck stop (Sometimes they have a free weight scale, sometimes you have to pay a couple of bucks...) then you are sure to know...

One thing is a must, however, since you have the six speed tranny, make sure you limit your transmission manually at 5th... that's where your transmission will break down, going back and forth between 5th and 6th while going up hills.

 

Just want to clarify to the OP that all vehicles with automatic transmission come with a transmission cooler. On the 2008+ Grand Caravan it is integrated with the A/C condenser, on some other vehicles it's integrated with the radiator. The question is whether the factory transmission cooler is good enough for your application. I've never seen the cooling capacity of the factory transmission cooler documented anywhere, so I'd recommend asking a shop that specializes in installing towing equipment. I don't think it would hurt to add an aftermarket transmission cooler even if it's overkill for your application.

 

I have ordered the hitch and wiring assy. I will be adding an extra tranny cooler. I will also be beefing up the rear suspension ( the inserts in the coil springs). To May knowledge this will essentially be like the factory tow package. I'm going to check the manual as stated.

 

According to specs, with the factory tow prep package, the GCRW is 8700 lbs, compared to the 7000 lbs without tow package. And according to them, the package includes heavy duty tranny cooler, load leveling suspension, and hitch. That also increases the tow capacity to 3600 lbs, compared to 1800 without. I won't even be towing the 1800.I realize I won't have the factory package but hopefully will be safe towing this weight with what I am adding to the vehicle. I will be mindful of the 5th to 6th gear change.

 

Might want to upgrade your brakes too if you haven't already. Most places I've read say go semi-metallic all around for towing. Probably should go with a better rotor too, especially on the rears which take a lot more heat when towing.