2007 Chrysler Town & Country... Anyone else tow with?

[Hogger]

We tow our little jet boat with our van, but have noticed an odd noise that sounds like it's coming from the rear end, but we just can't pin point it.
I can almost always make it do it around 38-40mph, and it only does it with the boat attached, and not all the time, just periodically. Except holding around 40mph.
It sounds like something is slightly grinding, almost like a chain dragging, but I've checked that.
I started to think it could be a few different things, rear rotors, bearings, brake pads, etc... But it did it once while we were stopped.
So now I'm a little worried it might be the tranny, but the sound is coming from the rear.
Anyone else encounter this?

 

[109jb]

Re: 2007 Chrysler Town & Country... Anyone else tow with?

Yes. 2004 T&C. Bad drive axle joint. Would have sworn that it was coming from the back. Ours did it only at 50 mph, but without a trailer. Tried everything. New brakes, bearings, balance tires... The step that fixed it was replacing both drive axles.

 

[mickjetblue]

Re: 2007 Chrysler Town & Country... Anyone else tow with?

I had a '93 Chrysler mini-van, and I towed a variety of boats with it.
Never had a problem, although I didn't push it hard at all.
38-40 is when the overdrive kicks into 4th gear, and it sounds like the
transmission might be stalling from shifting at that point.

When you're stopped, there shouldn't be nothing turning in the back. The transmission drives through the front, and I'd get it checked. when you're
stopped, only the engine and tranny are turning, internally.

I added a transmission oil cooler, and a pint of tranny tune up, also.

Good luck!

 

[Bass Tracker TX17]

Re: 2007 Chrysler Town & Country... Anyone else tow with?

check to make sure your exhaust is not hitting the edge of the hitch.
i see it all the time. certain rpms or load will shift the exhaust and cause a grinding type noise. as the exhaust hangers get broken in they sag and shift. look for shiny spots. doing it while stopped eliminates drivetrain. the extra weight of the trailer on a T&C is enough to lower the rear and it sets up wierd stuff to happen.

A little detective work will go a long way in keeping cash in your pocket..

just a place to start