I'm going to start by saying I know little (almost nothing) about this subject. Treat my ignorance with kindness, please!My husband and I road trip long distances and tent camp with our three kids several times each summer. We currently own a 2009 SE Grand Caravan and we're considering buying a 2014 Grand Caravan R/T. We love the versatility of the Grand Caravan's Stow-and-Go and the overall "bang for the buck". Our goal within the next year or two is to buy a pop-up camper which we could, in theory, tow with the new van.So, I know that this is possible, per the internet research I've done. What I can't figure out is whether I need a specific factory-installed Trailer Tow Group that "a load-leveling and height-control suspension." The Dodge website is sketchy on the details and doesn't seem to offer this package on the "build-it" feature. The dealership I am working with seems to think the vehicle can haul 3,600 lbs without any factory-installed tow package, and they seemed to doubt such a thing existed. Here's what I know about the car I'm looking at: 3.6 V6 engine, 6-speed automatic 62TE transmission, electronic stability control, trailer sway damping, anti-lock 4-wheel HD disc brakes, "performance suspension".My question to you: Would it be possible to take THIS vehicle and equip it to safely tow a pop-up, bikes, etc. on cross-country trips?Thanks!

Yes you need to get the factory towing package. This assures that you'll be able to tow the full 3600# rated trailer.

Roadtripper,"Towing capacity" per the on-line Dodge specs may be 3,600 lbs, but that's an almost useless number. What really matters is your payload and the tongue weight of the trailer you are planning to pull. Payload is the difference between the GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating - usually on a door sticker) and the actual weight of the vehicle after you have you, your family, a full load of fuel, and all the other stuff that will go in the van when you travel on board. (Many users on the forum will load up like they were heading out and have the vehicle weighed on the CAT scales at the nearest truck stop). For a pull-behind trailer, figure on 15% of the GROSS weight (not empty weight) of the trailer for tongue weight and add the weight of a weight-distributing hitch and its bars. I doubt seriously that you'll have much left over for tongue weight when all is said and done - and pop-ups are heavier than you think when loaded with food, fluids, propane, and toys.

Get the factory tow package factory installed. The dealership most likely wants to sell you something less they have on the lot. Sad but very probable.

For that 3600, you need the tow package. Don't trust people at the dealership who will tell you whatever they think you need to hear to induce you to buy.The Dodge dealer who sold me a Durango in 2003 also told me I did not need the factory tow package (didn't have anything with tow package in inventory). He told me the "maximum tow rating" was 6000 pounds with the particular engine installed. Truth turned out to be that number was reduced to 2500 without tow package, would have been 4800 with, because of the gearing. The 6000 rating needed different gearing.That 3600 pounds tow rating will be for a van with full fuel and only a driver (presumed to weigh 150 pounds). That is the Federal standard for advertising tow ratings. Everything else you carry reduces what you can tow. You need to be looking for a small, light popup, something maybe under 2000 pounds maximum weight (they can get over 3500 in large-box highwall units).

My question to you: Would it be possible to take THIS vehicle and equip it to safely tow a pop-up, bikes, etc. on cross-country trips?IMO, no, not 100% safely. There is more to towing than just the power and braking to move and stop the trailer or the suspension to handle the weight on the rear of the tow vehicle. In this case it is the Front Wheel Drive. If the rear wheels lose traction, you will be at the mercy of physics as to where the front end points and how a skid is controlled. You can prove this to your self by connecting to a trailer with the weights involved and perform a skid test in an area where there is no traffic (think large empty parking lot). Do the test on snow or rain days when traction is the worst.

Tow with 2014 Grand Caravan R/T? | Good Sam Community

bikendan
Explorer
Mar 24, 2015
westend wrote:
dodge guy wrote:
TXiceman wrote:
I would not waste money trying to modify the Caravan. Get a vehicle designed for towing.

Ken

Umm, the minivan is designed for towing!
It has design features that enable it to tow light trailers. It's primary design is to move passengers and light cargo. IMO, it's a poor platform for towing TT's but what do I know?

totally agree. a minivan is a front wheel drive unibody vehicle with gearing for hauling passengers for the best mpg.
a good tow vehicle is a ladder frame rear wheel drive vehicle with lower gearing for towing.
a minivan is great for what it's designed for, hauling a lot of people with good gas mileage but not for towing anything but a popup, A-frame, teardrop or Casita/Scamp type of trailer.
westend
Explorer
Mar 24, 2015
dodge guy wrote:
TXiceman wrote:
I would not waste money trying to modify the Caravan. Get a vehicle designed for towing.

Ken

Umm, the minivan is designed for towing!
It has design features that enable it to tow light trailers. It's primary design is to move passengers and light cargo. IMO, it's a poor platform for towing TT's but what do I know?
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Mar 24, 2015
TXiceman wrote:
I would not waste money trying to modify the Caravan. Get a vehicle designed for towing.

Ken

Umm, the minivan is designed for towing!
DrewE
Explorer II
Mar 24, 2015
According to the Dodge web site, the 2015 Grand Caravan R/T has:

Curb weight of 4510 lbs
GVWR of 6050 lbs
GCWR of 8750 lbs with the tow package (had to look this up in the owner's manual, which can be downloaded)
Maximum trailer frontal area of 40 square feet

Crunching the numbers, it appears you can tow 3600 pounds with a nearly empty minivan, or around 3000 pounds with maybe 750-800 ponds in the minivan without exceeding the limits, assuming the axle weights are okay. It's not an ideal tow vehicle, but it should be capable of towing a popup safely with a little care.
TXiceman
Explorer II
Mar 24, 2015
I would not waste money trying to modify the Caravan. Get a vehicle designed for towing.

Ken
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Mar 24, 2015
From what I remember, a Chrysler minivan fully loaded can still tow a full 3600lbs. I believe they allow for passengers and cargo with the tow rating. For some reason mini vans are rated like this.
chryslermastert
Explorer
Mar 23, 2015
if it has trailer sway control it has trailer package, now it may or may not come with a hitch. if you install an aftermarket hitch MAKE sure whom ever puts the hitch on to be careful on the right side as the rear A/C lines run right where the hitch mounts, I have seen many lines pinched and holes poked in them, not covered by warrenty
quasi
Explorer
Mar 23, 2015
Not wanting to start a rant here but the RV dealer is the last person you should rely upon to determine what you can tow. While there may be a few out there that have the requisite knowledge to give you a solid recommendation, most do not. When a dealer recommends a unit you can tow safely, ask him if he will write that down. Odds are, he will start backpedaling. Do your own research. You can contact Chrysler's customer service and ask them what a particular vehicle may safely tow and be sure to get all the numbers including tongue weight, GCVW (Gross Combined Vehicle Weight) and then go trailer shopping. Just to make it more confusing, be aware that not all trailer manufacturers' published weights are accurate. Pick the unit you think fits your needs, compare the published specs and then take it to have it weighed BEFORE you buy it. Check the tongue weight and leave some wiggle room.

Good luck and and good camping,

Jim
roadtripper740
Explorer
Mar 23, 2015
Thank you all! I'm glad I decided to dig into this a bit more. Any tips on how to buy with confidence as a newbie? It sounds like I need to identify the trailer that I'm interested in, then perhaps the RV dealer can help me find the right car to pull it?
westend
Explorer
Mar 23, 2015

My question to you: Would it be possible to take THIS vehicle and equip it to safely tow a pop-up, bikes, etc. on cross-country trips?

IMO, no, not 100% safely.
There is more to towing than just the power and braking to move and stop the trailer or the suspension to handle the weight on the rear of the tow vehicle. In this case it is the Front Wheel Drive. If the rear wheels lose traction, you will be at the mercy of physics as to where the front end points and how a skid is controlled. You can prove this to your self by connecting to a trailer with the weights involved and perform a skid test in an area where there is no traffic (think large empty parking lot). Do the test on snow or rain days when traction is the worst.

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