Newbie help! - 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan

[wizards8507]

Hello everyone. I've searched the forums a bit but haven't found an answer to my specific question so I'm hoping some of the experts here can help. Last night, we negotiated the purchase of a CPO 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT with about 16,000 miles on it. One of the things I got the dealer to include with the purchase is the installation of the OEM towing equipment, including hitch receiver, wiring, and labor.

My understanding was that the towing capacity of this vehicle is 3,600 lbs. I know there's some math involved to get to "true" towing capabilities, but this should be more than enough to tow a small pop-up tent trailer we plan on purchasing.

My question is that Mopar part 82213168AC, Dodge Grand Caravan Hitch Receiver, has the following blurb in the description: 3,500-lb tow rating with weight distributing equipment, otherwise 1,800-lb tow rating. However, I can't find anything on the Mopar site that you'd call "weight distributing equipment." What does this mean for me? The dealer hasn't installed the hitch yet and I'd like them to include whatever OEM equipment is needed to get up to 3,500 lbs but I don't know what to ask for.

[handye9]

wizards8507 wrote:
One of the things I got the dealer to include with the purchase is the installation of the OEM towing equipment, including hitch receiver, wiring, and labor.

My understanding was that the towing capacity of this vehicle is 3,600 lbs. I know there's some math involved to get to "true" towing capabilities, but this should be more than enough to tow a small pop-up tent trailer we plan on purchasing.

The additional equipment, being installed by the dealer, is only part of the OEM towing package. The full package would include an auxiliary transmission cooler.

The math used to determine "true towing capacity", is to calculate the weight of all the people, pets, and cargo, you will be taking on your camping trip. Add another 100 lbs for a weight distributing hitch, if you need to use one. Look at the tire and loading sticker, on your drivers door post. It will show a max occupant / cargo weight.

Now, subtract your family / planned cargo weight from both, the max occupant / cargo weight number, and from the max tow rating. What you have left (on the occupant / cargo number) is the payload you have available to carry the trailer's tongue weight. What you have left on the max tow rating, is your true tow capacity.

Example:

Say your numbers are:

Max occupant / cargo weight rating 1100 lbs
Max tow rating 3600 lbs
Family and planned cargo weight of 700 lbs

Your "true tow capacity" would be 2900 lbs (3600 minus 700) and your capacity to carry hitch and tongue weight would be 400 lbs (1100 minus 700).


Note 1: There is a post above, recommending a brake controller, that would only be required if the pup had electric brakes. Many do not have them.

Note 2: Primary purpose of a weight distributing hitch is to restore lost weight on your front axle. When you hang the trailer tongue weight on the hitch, it makes your vehicle sag like a see saw, adding weight on the rear axle and removing weight from your front axle. Too much weight off the front axle can cause steering problems. The distributing hitch uses leveraging to push some (in some cases all) of that lost weight back to the front axle. You probably won't need this either.

[colliehauler]

You will need a brake controler as well. Reese makes a light duty WD hit for a popup if needed.

The rv dealer should be able to set up the vehicle for proper towing if you don't want to do it.

[mbutts]

Also, FCA sets the 3,600 lbs. limit "if properly equipped."

My last Town & Country had the trailer tow package which included automatic leveling, trailer light wiring, transmission cooler, but NO hitch.

I towed our pop-up with it and it was an awesome tow vehicle for a pop-up. Got great gas mileage, too.

[dodge_guy]

That WD hitch in the link is overkill for a PuP and could damage the frame. Some PuP's aren't designed to have a WD used. However they do make light duty WD hitches which is a single WD bar. My buddy has a Mopar hitch that I put on for him on his 07 Caravan. It is rated at 3500lbs. No where did it state anything about using a WD hitch. You would never need a WD hitch for 3500lbs even with a minivan.

[wizards8507]

Thank you gentlemen.

This was a lot easier when I was six and my dad was in charge.

[kzspree320]

Just an example of what we are talking about in something light enough to work. There are others.

CLICKY HERE

[Mortimer_Brewst]

donn0128 wrote:
What are you thinking you can tow with it? Realistically once you have family loaded in your going to be limited to a really small tent trailer. So be sure which way your going.

The OP already stated he was looking at small pop-ups.
For the OP: the weight distribution hitch attaches to the trailer. The hitch receiver is mounted to the tow vehicle. The dealer will be putting this on for you. You will need to buy a weight distributing hitch. You can see some examples of them on etrailer.com. It's not the worst idea to have the dealer throw one in when you buy your trailer. Best to educate yourself about them first.

[donn0128]

What are you thinking you can tow with it? Realistically once you have family loaded in your going to be limited to a really small tent trailer. So be sure which way your going.

[wizards8507]

Thanks kzspree320. It's odd that OEM equipment would reference non-OEM equipment as a necessary component to use a vehicle as it's intended to be used. I found this as an available option from Dodge:

TRAILER TOW GROUP — Includes trailer tow wiring harness, Class II hitch receiver and load-leveling / height-control suspension

Again, all of this language is new to me. If they install the Trailer Tow Group as outlined here, am I correct assuming that "load leveling / height-control suspension" is the same thing as "weight distributing equipment"?

[kzspree320]

The weight distributing equipment used by most is not made by the vehicle manufacturer. It's made by Curt, Reese, Equalizer, Blue Ox and other manufacturers that specialize in towing equipment. I often buy from etrailer.com.

You can go to their website, enter your vehicle year, make, etc, and it will show you what might work. and the costs involved. While the receiver is OEM, the rest is not usually. Take a look. Hope this helps.