Towing with my van

[df909]

Not sure if this is the right place to ask, but here goes. I have a Chrysler Town & Country van with a 3.3L engine. According to the specs it has a towing capacity of 3,700. This surprises me as the van doesn't seem to be a power wagon. My boat and trailer is right about 3,400 pounds. If I take everything off the boat and keep the tank close to empty, do you realistically think the the van can handle about 3,500 pounds? Will I begin to wear parts (engine & trans) if I tow close to its limits? Thanks guys.

 

[oceansbreeze]

Re: Towing with my van

I would be checking with my dealer if I was you. My dodge Caravan has the 3.0L and I went to the dealer, they verified the serial # with the Chrysler database and told me I could tow 2350lb. I therefore set out to buy a boat lighter than that of course..

I would want to know if you had the tranny cooler (it's an option, not standard) which would help immensely.... and also, are you going for long hauls, or just a mile or two...

I would think (and I'm not an expert on transmissions or engines) but it would be pushing it, but doable, if not long hauls.... I'd also want to be careful the first time I backed down a ramp.... you may want hydraulic brakes on the trailer as well.... would be wise I would think... just my 2 cents

 

[df909]

Re: Towing with my van

I'll call the dealer in the a.m. It doesn't have anything needed to tow except a class III hitch. I'd be towing up to 200 miles at a time, so I'd put in a trans cooler for sure.

I'm just worried that I'll make the van wear out and break down a lot quicker if I tow more than a rinky-dink trailer. To be honest, I was pretty surprised that it's supposed to be rated so high.

 

[slasmith1]

Re: Towing with my van

you also need to deduct weight of passengers/cargo in the van from that number.

 

[df909]

Re: Towing with my van

That's true. I'm going to put everything (cargo & most of the people) in my truck. I plan on towing our heavier trailer with my truck and my wife towing the boat in the van. Ok, so how crazy am I to have my wife tow the boat?

So, it'll just be her and the boat- with me watching from behind. Don't want anything to happen to boat, you know?

I'd probably have to put spring helpers on the van too. Anyone know of any good suspension parts that will help with rear end sag?

 

[Paul Ryan]

Re: Towing with my van

I agree with Breeze...Check and make sure of tow specs...If you are under than there is no issue. But!!! you are pushing the high end of the spec. Trans cooler? Must have! Trailer brakes? I'd put them on real fast. First time you feel the boat pushing you when your having to brake hard, your butt gets that pucker thing going on and you'll understand trailer push. You will want to change the engine and trans fuilds more often with hauling large loads. I dont see keeping the fuel tank(s) empty...Sooner or later they are going to have to be filled and your going to haul them. Not unless your talking about a very short boating day???

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Towing with my van

My opinion for what it's worth.
Too much load for a FWD minivan. Would it tow it, yes. Will it put undue stress on the vehicle, yes.
A few years ago I towed our outfit (2,000 lb) around Ontario with a Windstar 3.8 litre, "heavy duty tow package" from the factory and all the towing bells and whistles including the tranny cooler. I always drove it gently, not in overdrive and only accelerated hard when joining the highway and matching the speed.
Tranny exploded !!!! with no warning, the warning light flashed twice and on the second flash it exploded.

 

[Knightgang]

Re: Towing with my van

It will do it, but I would not recommend it. Those Mini Vans are not very good tow vehicles In my opinion. Short hauls you might be okay. If you are doing that 200 miler very often, I would look at upgrading that tow vehicle...

 

[Philster]

Re: Towing with my van

Where are you getting these 'specs' on the Town and Country?

 

[frankie g]

Re: Towing with my van

your gonna kill the van... get a smaller boat or bigger tow vehicle. that vans not made to carry and pull what you've got. very dangerous for you and the other people on the road w/ you!

 

[NYBo]

Re: Towing with my van

Are you planning doing this on a regular basis? If so, I agree with those who say it's a bad idea. The transaxle won't be happy.

What year is the van? If it is older than a 1996, you can't use helper springs because they will interfere with the functioning of the rear brake proportioning valve- it works by sensing ride height.

 

[jdsgrog]

Re: Towing with my van

Not sure what year you have, but I have a 2006 Dodge grand caravan with the 3.8 liter engine. It has a tow rating of up to 3500 lbs, but only with the factory tow package. Otherwise, it is 2000 lbs. Based on the chrysler website the 3.3 liter motor for the 2010 says that it has a tow rating of 1600 lbs (http://www.chrysler.com/en/2010/town_country/performance/towing/). Not sure where you are getting your info from.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Towing with my van

It would appear that California also requires trailer brakes for any trailer with GVW of 3000lbs or more.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Towing with my van

I wouldn't do it. Something else to consider is launching and loading. Is the van stout enough to hold the boat against the slope of the ramp when launching, and does it have enough whoopie to pull you out. Not sure whether the front wheel drive is an asset or hindrance in pulling out?

Mark

 

[jdsgrog]

Re: Towing with my van

That's true. I'm going to put everything (cargo & most of the people) in my truck. I plan on towing our heavier trailer with my truck and my wife towing the boat in the van. Ok, so how crazy am I to have my wife tow the boat?

So, it'll just be her and the boat- with me watching from behind. Don't want anything to happen to boat, you know?

I'd probably have to put spring helpers on the van too. Anyone know of any good suspension parts that will help with rear end sag?

Why don't you tow the boat with the truck and put all your cargo into the minivan? I'm pretty sure if the truck is at least a six banger, it'll be a better tow vehicle than the minivan.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Towing with my van

Why don't you tow the boat with the truck and put all your cargo into the minivan? I'm pretty sure if the truck is at least a six banger, it'll be a better tow vehicle than the minivan.

He wants to tow a heavier trailer at the same time as the van is towing the boat.
Camping maybe.
California allows triples I think.

 

[jdsgrog]

Re: Towing with my van

i see. didn't catch that.

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: Towing with my van

Tripples dont change the towing capacity.

200 miles once a year. I'm a gambling man. I'd say it would be fine. Provided it is at or below the actual max towing capacity. 200 miles isnt that far, keep the spped down - stay out of the mountains.

Have fun!

PS - Wouldnt want my wife towing it.

 

[109jb]

Re: Towing with my van

I've had Chrysler minivans of several years from mid-80's through 2006. I have also towed with them quite a bit.

There has been some misinformation first of all. The tow rating is the tow rating. That is the maximum loaded trailer weight that can go behind the van. You have to consider whats in the van too, but tow rating is tow rating.

The number you use to consider the van contents is the GCVWR (gross combined vehicle weight rating.) The GCVWR is van + van contents + total trailer weight.

having said that, the 3.3 is a good engine. No problem there. Not going to win any races, but it is a good little motor. The weak link for towing with these vans is the transmission and the brakes. The transmission can be compensated for by installing a good trans cooler, a trans temp guage, monitoring trans temp while towing and keeping your foot from getting too far into it. Keep the trans temp within reason and it will do fine. Then change fluid more often. As for brakes, you need brakes on the trailer for the boat you described.

 

[boat1010]

Re: Towing with my van

My opinion is that if it is within the towing capacity of you van >>>go for it<<< Some of the people on iboats think that you have to have a 1 ton dually to pull a 1600 lb trailer. Will it shorten the life of the van. Maybe. Will something go wrong? maybe. But the same thing could go wrong if you never pulled a trailer. As far as brakes. Does the trailer have surge brakes? If so you are fine. One said something about surge brakes to help at the boat ramp. That will do nothing. If you are backing the trailer down the ramp the surge brakes will never engage. Other than that I think you will be fine.