Anyone towing a Dodge Caravan with Class A gas motorhome?

[COCO2009]

I have been extensively researching whether I can tow my Dodge caravan with a 32 foot or shorter Class A gas motorhome. I need to tow this van as it has a wheelchair lift and hand controls which I need to be able to drive when parking the motorhome.

I have been having trouble getting definitive answers from companies about whether I can tow my van (mostly concerned right now with towing capacities.)

Any help appreciated.

Mike

[Tha_Rooster]

Does your research show if it came be towed four down? Or are you worried your van weights to much?

[Algoma]

Depends upon which particular motorhome you are considering as they have different towing capacities. Don't know any less than 32' that would give you wheelchair access. There is a lube pump kit that would allow the van to be towed 4 wheels down but it would probably invalidate any manufacturer warranty.

[gnrenfeld]

Originally Posted by Algoma

Depends upon which particular motorhome you are considering as they have different towing capacities. Don't know any less than 32' that would give you wheelchair access. There is a lube pump kit that would allow the van to be towed 4 wheels down but it would probably invalidate any manufacturer warranty.

Can not answer the question concerning motorhome but with info on the motorhome the manufacturer or someone on this site will help you. As to towing a Dodge Minivan we have two friends towing 4 down and are doing it with the pump as indicated above installed. One is Chriysle and the other a Dodge.

[RVThere]

Mike,

What year is your Caravan?

I tried to tow my 2008 Town and Country with a Remco trans pump and have had nothing but problems.

[smith45]

I towed a 1997 Dodge Caravan with a Remco Lube Pump for several years and had no problems. I am now using a Remco Pump on a 2009 Ford Escape and it works just great. However' I have a 36' DP to tow with.

[COCO2009]

I currently have a 2003 Dodge Caravan but will be buying a 2012 soon.
I understand the need for the pump as I want to tow with all 4 down. The motorhomes I have been looking at seem to all berated at 3500 towing capacity but I need 5000 pound capacity. I don't really want to go over 32 feet but maybe that is what I need to do. Haven't settled on a particular model yet.
Frank: how was your hitch originally rated? 5000 pounds? If a hitch is rated at 3500 pounds from the factory, does adding plates or another hitch fundamentally change the rating?

Mike

[Algoma]

The tow rating is based on the GVWR and GCWR of the motorhome not the strength of the hitch. 3500 is not going to do it for your Caravan.

[kcir]

We towed a Windstar on a dolly , 5 k hitch with no problems for many years

[BFlinn181]

Mike, you will need at least a Class III (5000 lb rating) hitch on the RV. You will also need to check the weight ratings of the RV. The Gross Combined Weight (GCW) is the loaded weight of the RV + the toad. This must not exceed the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) which is on a label near the driver's seat. The GCWR includes toad, motor home, fuel, water, propane, supplies and passengers. These capacities are set by the manufacturer, but still need to be checked at purchase. Any additional equipment or modifications can change these numbers.

Modifying the hitch doesn't change the capacities in the law's eyes, so welding plates to a hitch won't be helpful if the law or insurance is involved.

You'll find folks on here who will give anecdotal testimony as to, "I towed XX thousand miles and never had a problem." to suggest it's OK to modify a hitch or exceed the GCWR, but unless they offer to defend you with an insurance company or court I'd follow the limits listed for the equipment.

A Caravan can be made to tow with a transmission lube pump, but I'd also have a warning light on the dashboard of the RV to monitor it. You could also consider a tow dolly with brakes, eliminating the need for the lube pump and auxillary brakes in the toad.