Trailering with Dodge Caravan 4.0

[Mark W]

Anyone with experience pulling an aluminum bass boat with this vehicle? Please note that it does NOT have the tow package. Its the larger V-6.

Several boats I am considering weighing (total package) 1550 to 1900 pounds.

Any feedback appreciated.

 

[wrechin2]

It will tow that with no problem. I had the 3.3 and it was around 3300 tow capcity with out the tow package. I worked at Prebul. Looks to be a 07 0r 08 with the 4.0. I will look up the capcity for you.

 

[wrechin2]

I mean a 08 or 09. Looks like the 6 speed kills the capacity and it only has a capcity of around 1,000- 1600lbs depending on final ratio. If you have the window sticker it will be on there. Post it. The tow package is basicly a trans cooler. It may not be that expensive to upgrade.

 

[Guest]

Hey I tow mine with a scion xb (if you all see me out there it the little blue box with the cff sticker). You add the 55 hp engine and mine together our output is 166, whoo wee. I have no trouble and mines a 15 ft fiberglass trihull. I'm not supposed to pull it by the "book" but its all I got. I don't think youd have any touble.

 

[captXtreme]

I tow my 24ft pontoon boat and my Stratos with my 93 Caravan 3.3 no problems

James

 

[wrechin2]

James,
What makes this one weak it has a 6 speed auto. That van you have is a different animal. I agree a little over and shouldn't be a issue.

 

[Shark]

I have a question about this thread.

Towing seems to always be about having the power to get the boat from point A to B.
But I was always lead to believe the towing was rated by how well the vehicle can stop the load, thus the rigs weight is where the rating comes into play.

Is there any truth to this - how well the vehicle can safely stop the rig?

 

[Guest]

Most towing problems are caused by making the car or truck do a lot of shifting going up and down hills, if the vechickle has a pretty good sized engine, the shifting problem won't be so bad.

 

[wrechin2]

Shark,
here is the section out of his owners manual assuming it is a 2008. If you read all 12 pages it will give you alot of what is going on. It is pretty interesting and confusing at the same time.

 

[Jason F-18]

Shark - 4/16/2009 11:00 PM

I have a question about this thread.

Towing seems to always be about having the power to get the boat from point A to B.
But I was always lead to believe the towing was rated by how well the vehicle can stop the load, thus the rigs weight is where the rating comes into play.

Is there any truth to this - how well the vehicle can safely stop the rig?

I would second this:

I used to work for a construction company in Atlanta. I usually drove a F-250 to pull our bobcat and mini excavator on a steel 24' trailer. one day I had to take my boss's Dodge Ram 1500. Hooked up the trailer loaded with concrete forms. Pulled onto the highway and didn't seem the truck had any problem pulling it. Until I went down the ramp at Fulton Ind Pkwy (some of you may be familiar). I hit the brakes and nothing happened. I was sliding down the ramp at 50 mph with two 18 wheelers stopped at the light!!! I steered it to the ditch, passed the trucks, missed a telephone pole and ended in the middle of the intersection. I have never been so scared in my life.

Moral of the story:

Just because your car car will pull something up a hill with little trouble, doesn't mean it will stop it when you go back down. Don't risk your life, follow your owners guide.

 

[wrechin2]

Like the attachment out of the owners manual, it states anything over 1,000 they suggest trailer brakes and anything over 2,000# trailer brakes are required.

Easy to go and hard to whoo!!!LOL!!

 

[Shark]

Jerry,

Thanks for info. I saved it for future reference.

 

[wrechin2]

Jerry?????

 

[Shark]

UMMMMM, yeah Jerry........ he's your invisible twin brother. Only I can see him and know he exists. lol ok so that's stupid. emoBang

Sorry James....

 

[Punisher]

Shark - 4/17/2009 9:22 PM

UMMMMM, yeah Jerry........ he's your invisible twin brother. Only I can see him and know he exists. lol ok so that's stupid. emoBang

Sorry James....

.....your starting to act like andy your hero there shark emoPoke emoPoke

 

[wrechin2]

I thought I had missed something!!!!LOL!!

 

[captXtreme]

James you are very right, it is a different animal. and to add to what has been said just because you can tow a large boat or? does not mean you should.

 

[wrechin2]

Will see you tomorrow I guess. I will make you a copy of that manual for you also. Later!