Welcome to Selecting a Hitch for Newbies!
I've gone to 3 places for info on getting a hitch for my Grand Caravan. I'm not mechanical (yet) so I tell them I want info/prices on everything I need to pull a sm trailer (3K lbs - 17', 7 pin). I've...
Forum Discussion
the simplified version:
you will need a receiver hitch (the part that stays on the vehicle) likely class III or IV. this will be a square tube. with this you will need a 7 pin trailer plug installed (the part you plug the wire from the trailer into)
this will likely be cheapest at a place like u haul
you will need a brake controller (mounts near driver in the van. this controls the trailers brakes. any mechanic can install and they are available everywhere. id recommend not getting a cheap one that works off time delay, get one that is intuitive.
you will need a hitch (likely a weight distributing hitch) this comes off the van when not towing and goes into the rectangular receiver mentioned above. many different makes and models to choose. do some reading and get the best you can afford. if it does not have integrated anti sway (some do some don't, get it if you can) then you will need a friction anti sway bar that works with this hitch. this should come from a trailer dealer or online. easy to set up but any dealer can install for you if you need it.
examples below are for visual reference only and may or may not be the best. option.
receiver hitch
brake controller
weight distribution hitch
if needed friction anti sway bar.
as far as running out of payload. the vehicle is rated to carry so much weight.
the weight of everything in the van and the weight of the hitch should be subtracted from this number, the remaining weight carrying payload needs to carry the tongue weight of the trailer which should be about 15 percent of the trailers weight. don't look at dry weights they mean nothing, take the gvwr listed for the trailer and multiply by 0.15. if that number is larger than whats left of your payload you don't have enough tow vehicle regardless of the listed towing capacity. very few cars and light trucks can tow all the way to their towing capacity with a travel trailer since they run out of payload to carry the tongue weight first.
you will need a receiver hitch (the part that stays on the vehicle) likely class III or IV. this will be a square tube. with this you will need a 7 pin trailer plug installed (the part you plug the wire from the trailer into)
this will likely be cheapest at a place like u haul
you will need a brake controller (mounts near driver in the van. this controls the trailers brakes. any mechanic can install and they are available everywhere. id recommend not getting a cheap one that works off time delay, get one that is intuitive.
you will need a hitch (likely a weight distributing hitch) this comes off the van when not towing and goes into the rectangular receiver mentioned above. many different makes and models to choose. do some reading and get the best you can afford. if it does not have integrated anti sway (some do some don't, get it if you can) then you will need a friction anti sway bar that works with this hitch. this should come from a trailer dealer or online. easy to set up but any dealer can install for you if you need it.
examples below are for visual reference only and may or may not be the best. option.
receiver hitch
brake controller
weight distribution hitch
if needed friction anti sway bar.
as far as running out of payload. the vehicle is rated to carry so much weight.
the weight of everything in the van and the weight of the hitch should be subtracted from this number, the remaining weight carrying payload needs to carry the tongue weight of the trailer which should be about 15 percent of the trailers weight. don't look at dry weights they mean nothing, take the gvwr listed for the trailer and multiply by 0.15. if that number is larger than whats left of your payload you don't have enough tow vehicle regardless of the listed towing capacity. very few cars and light trucks can tow all the way to their towing capacity with a travel trailer since they run out of payload to carry the tongue weight first.
