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04-17-2008, 05:53 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 2
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I have a swb Dodge Caravan 3.3 with a listed towing capacity of 3600 lbs. I'm considering a 17 ft ultra lite with a wet wet of about 3000 lbs. Any advice or experience with "Minivan" towing?
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04-17-2008, 05:53 PM
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#2
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 2
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I have a swb Dodge Caravan 3.3 with a listed towing capacity of 3600 lbs. I'm considering a 17 ft ultra lite with a wet wet of about 3000 lbs. Any advice or experience with "Minivan" towing?
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04-17-2008, 06:28 PM
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#3
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Moderator Emeritus
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Bryan, TX when not traveling.
Posts: 22,948
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Welcome to iRV2.
I'm not a fan of towing with front wheel drive vehicles. The 3600# tow rating you have also does not take into count any passengers and cargo in the van beyond a nominal 150# driver. So from the 3600# you have to subtract the extra passengers and cargo in the van.
I would use a weight distributing hitch with sway control (on this trailer a friction type should work fine), a good brake controller (minimum of a Prodigy) and a larger external transmission cooler. Change your engine and transmission service to the extreme or severe duty cycle and keep your tires aired up to the proper amount. You won't win any races and tow with the transmission in 3rd gear (OD locked out)
Take it easy and be safe. Expect a drastic drop in fuel economy.
I will also link this to the new member check in for more exposure.
Ken
__________________
Amateur Radio Operator (KE5DFR)|No Longer Full-Time! - 2023 Cougar 22MLS toted by 2022 F150, 3.5L EcoBoost Tow Max FX4 Lariat Travel with one Standard Schnauzer and one small Timneh African Gray Parrot, retired mechanical engineer
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04-18-2008, 02:56 AM
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#4
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Moderator Emeritus
Country Coach Owners Club Appalachian Campers Gulf Streamers Club
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Chattanooga, Tn.
Posts: 12,060
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Walley, welcome to our website and forum. We are glad to have you join us. You hve gotten some good advice and I might add that vans cause some turbulances that will effect the handing more than a truck would. Take it slow and stay safe. Good luck an keep us posted.
__________________
Mike, RVIA & RVSA Certified Master RV Technician
Amy, Dr. Assistant - Roxie & Mei Ling, four legs each
2000 Gulf Stream Scenic Cruiser 450 hp & 1330# torque
06 Saturn Vue, 06 Chevy Z71 4x4 & 2014 Corvette Z51 M7
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04-18-2008, 06:37 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 1,545
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Question: Does that 3,000# "wet weight" include only a full fresh water tank and full propane tanks? Or does it include all the supplies you'll be loading into it?
If it's the former, I'd be looking at the trailer's GVWR, not dry or wet weight. Since what your van can actually safely tow is going to be less than 3,600# and what your trailer is going to weigh once you put all your supplies into it is going to be more than 3,000#, sounds to me like you'll be at, or exceeding, your van's capablities.
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2014 Winnebago Aspect 27K
2011 Kia Soul
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04-18-2008, 07:04 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Texas Boomers Club
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Cypress, Texas USA
Posts: 8,854
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First, welcome to iRV2.com. We're glad to have you join us.
You didn't mention the vintage of your Caravan, but it might be worth a Google search (for instance - "2002 Caravan transmission failure"). Some of the Chrysler minivan transmissions were pretty fragile, especially in towing applications.
By the way, I'm not anti-Chrysler products - see my signature.
Rusty
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04-21-2008, 12:49 AM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Bangor, Maine USA
Posts: 38
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Good advice - the Chyrsler transmissions in minivans (and my Sebring) have a high failure rate just riding around solo.
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