Tow with 2014 Grand Caravan R/T?

[roadtripper740]

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!

[2gypsies1]

Have you gotten the specs of some pop ups that you would consider purchasing? Study the weights and compare them to what the car says you can tow. You need to include passengers, food, clothes, camping gear, etc.

[dodge_guy]

Not sure about the new ones, but the older minivans Chrysler) with a factory tow pkg didn`t come with a hitch. that was added on after you bought it, it may still be that way?

[manualman]

If it doesn't, it's still worth looking into just what IS included in the "tow package." It's entirely possible that all that's different is the receiver, the 4 pin and the rear suspension airbags. Not saying that's true, but saying it should be looked into. If that's all that makes up the factory tow package, then it's all doable aftermarket. Like I said above, that's a LOT different than trucks that come with different axle ratios!

Some homework required...

A good way to check is to go to the parts department and see if they have different parts numbers for tow vs non-tow radiator, engine oil cooler, battery, alternator and drive axles. If none of those parts are different, you can probably retrofit aftermarket (including an ATF cooler).

[bikendan]

manualman wrote:
The Grand Caravan today makes a wonderful popup tow vehicle.

totally agree, IF it has the factory tow package. but be careful, there are some bigger popups out there that weigh close to a small TT.

[manualman]

Welcome to the wonderful world of RV camping where everybody "knows" everything, even if they have no personal experience with it whatsoever.

The Grand Caravan today makes a wonderful popup tow vehicle. It's built more robustly in almost every way than my 2003 Honda Odyssey which we've had since new and towed our pup for nearly 20,000 miles of its 210,000 mile life. All original powertrain too. Original fuel pump too (yeah I'm talking smack to YOU, diesel boys!). We've had our rig over Rockies, Appalachians, Black Hills and countless wind swept plains. Tows FAR better than most half ton truck/TT combinations ever will.

But it's not completely plug and play either. A few things to know. Minivans aren't like trucks when it comes to the tow rating. NOBODY offers multiple gear ratios or different transmissions or such insurmountable differences. Some do include special coolers (oil or ATF) or suspension upgrades (usually coil spring air bags), but not many.

My recommendation is as follows:
1. Get a Caravan with the factory tow option, which includes the receiver, 4 pin wiring and ATF cooler.
2. Buy a popup with a 12 foot box, low wall and no front trunk or slides. This will have a "dry weight" of about 2,200# and should hit the road well under 3,000# unless you collect big rocks!
3. Skip the bikes. They'll add hassle, windage and mpg loss at best. Get hiking boots instead. Bikes are OK for close trips, but skip them for the epic journeys.
4. Custom wire the van for an electic brake controller. Years ago Tekonsha Prodigy or P3 was the best, ask others HERE what to get nowadays. DON'T trust the RV dealer on this. Cheap brake controllers kill.
5. Install a Reese 350 mini or 400 single bar weight distributing hitch (wdh). A hassle every time you hook up, but worth it in spades on the road for control.
6. Make sure the trailer you buy has electric brakes and a box frame (not C channel) on the tongue. C Channel often can't take a wdh.
7. Ignore the guys who tell you a minivan can't tow. It can tow a popup FAR better than most half tons can tow the average TT these days. Wave to them as you pass them on the long mountain grades! 😉 (Oh and at the fuel pump when you're getting 19 mpg TOWING)

[roadtripper740]

Thank you all for the responses! Sounds like I need the factory-installed package for the Grand Caravan or to consider an SUV that's better suited to towing. As a beginner, I'm hesitant to play around with anything that's borderline or that I need to be overly careful with. Some wiggle room will ease my mind as my husband and I figure this out. That said, I've learned a lot from your posts about the numbers I need to crunch and the features I need to consider.

[FLY_4_FUN]

I have had 4 Dodge Gr Caravans and towed with 2 of them. The first I added a hitch and nothing else....and it was ok. By far the best was an 02 with the factory hitch, wiring harness, optional transmission cooler and brake package. It pulled our Jayco 12SO tent trailer well with 2 adults and 2 kids. The trailer had surge brakes, and I wish now it had electric but that's what it came with. Stay within weight limits and I think its a capable tow platform.

Daryll

[bsinmich]

double post sorry.

[bsinmich]

sch911 wrote:
Yes you need to get the factory towing package. This assures that you'll be able to tow the full 3600# rated trailer.

Check out this guy's occupation and trust him. He works for Chrysler. I would definitely have brakes on the trailer. Surge or electric will both work for you. I have had a couple of the Dodge/Chrysler vans and loved them.

[dodge_guy]

And yet the manuf. Gave it a "tow" rating!

[bikendan]

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]

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]

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]

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.