Can anyone explain why the 2017 Dodge Journey Crossroads Tow Capacity is lower than the Grand Caravan when both have the same 3.6L V6 engine and VVT transmission? 3,600 to 2,500 is a huge drop if only based on base curb weight or wheel base.

 

Completely different platform.

 

yep, gotta consider gvwr.
...and awd would lower the towing capacity due to the added weight and the rear drive unit is pretty small.

 

Dodge installed tires rated for 1,709 lbs. on the Journey. Both vehicles seat 7 passengers. I understand tongue weight is normally based on 10% of the load being towed. Dodge has given the Journey a meer 2,500 lbs towing capacity.
If I load 7 passengers in my Journey, I have put more weight on the rear axle than the 250 lbs of maximum tongue weight Dodge gives the Journey for towing.
My Journey is156 lbs lighter than the Grand Caravan. Has less surface area which creates less drag. Has the exact same engine and transmission right down to the final drive axle ratio of 3.16. The power to weight ratio should be in the Journeys favor for towing heavier loads. Did Dodge use steel and or fasteners with lower shear and deflection strengths in the chassis of the Journey?

 

Quite possibly yes. Probably need to pose these questions to the design engineers to get the answers you want.

 

Chassis design seems to be the only possible variable to explain the low tow capacity on the Journey compared to the Grand Caravan. That seems unlikely though considering Dodge categorizes both the Journey and Grand Caravan as 7 passenger vehicles. You could take towing completely out of the equation and design engineers would have to provide the same platform design aspects to support the same passenger capacity. How do I get an answer from an official Dodge engineer if not through the Dodge forum?

 

engineers don't have time to answer dealer tech questions let alone a forum that is not associated with fca other than the title.

maybe you should google factors that go into calculating towing capacity.


the twist beam rear axle designof the caravan is stronger than irs of the journey.

 

The rear axle twist beam compensates for axle deflection relative to weight distribution or uneven surfaces. As I mentioned previously, I would have more weight on the rear axle with 7 passengers than I would have with me and the 350 lb tongue weight of my boat and trailer. The torque required to pull is transfered from engine to transmission to final drive axle to chassis. My Journey is FWD so no torque is transfered to the rear axle. I believe Grand Caravans are the same. The chassis has to be the weak link. I just cant understand why they determined to de-rate the chassis when both have to support 7 passengers. I would assume more people tow with SUV's than with mini vans.

 

its part of the equation. the axle supports the weight of the entire vehicle. Look at pickups; solid front axle have greater load capacity than ifs.

the limiting factory is not engine and trans. even the 1500 and 2500 use the same engine trans combo: 04 to 08 gas pickups.