dodge guy
Chicago, western subs.
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Joined: 03/23/2004
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mike9447 wrote:One issue that's come up is vans with the hide away third row seats. The bottom is low enough so that some hitchs are really right on the ground.
Unless you get the hitch from mopar! they replace the rear bumper and you notch out the rear bumper cover. sits at a normal level and is a very clean install.
Wife kim
Son brandon 7yrs
Daughter marissa 6yrs
Dog shadow
07 Cherokee 32B
02 Excursion 4X4 V-10 4.30 gear
Reese HP dualcam,Prodigy brake controller,
Air lift air bags.
Better to have a bad day of
camping than a good day at work!
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Fast Mopar
Houston, TX
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Joined: 05/03/2005
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I have the fold flat 3rd row seat and a Draw-Tite hitch on my Freestar. It is completely hidden up behind the bumper. But, I have seen some low ones on Odysseys and Siennas.
2004 Ford Freestar 4.2 liter
2003 Jayco Qwest 12A
preserve the Second Amendment
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Road Ruler
Canada
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Joined: 09/11/2003
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I saw a newish Nissan Quest today with a 2" receiver. All was hidden except for the receiver portion. Looked good.
I know of a guy who had a pro set up 2008 Grand with the 4.0/6 speed. For a test run he took the Grand and a 28' Airstream to Florida and back (to Canada). I heard that it performed very well overall. This new Grand could be the best Magic Wagon ever as a TV.
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nfisherman
IL
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Joined: 04/17/2005
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If you plan to tow with it, you should try to find one with the factory tow package. It's costs around $600, but you get oil and transmission coolers, leveling rear suspension along with the hitch. It increases your towing capacity rating by quite a bit. Some car salesmen will say that it doesn't increase the capacity, but read the manual.
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burkehouse
Twin Cities Area, Minnesota
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Joined: 07/17/2003
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We have an '06 Chrysler Town and Country and it tows just fine (Fleetwood Timberlake). We used to have a Durango, and the only time I really notice a difference is when pulling up a big hill I don't have the power I had on the Durango. I LOVE the stow n go seats, the space below them is a great place to store items when going camping.
We did make sure to buy one with the tow package. When we hook up our camper the rear suspension doesn't move a bit and I can tell the transmission cooler helps. We had to do some searching for one, but wanted the larger towing capacity.
Enjoy!
Burke
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Caddywhompus
Southeast WI
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Joined: 06/27/2001
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mike4947 wrote:One issue that's come up is vans with the hide away third row seats. The bottom is low enough so that some hitchs are really right on the ground.
Interesting, I have the folding 3rd row seat, and my hitch is just behind it, with the receiver in EXACTLY the same place it should be.
'04 Ford Freestar (Primary tow vehicle)
'05 Subaru Forester (Backup tow vehicle)
'65 Bethany popup (best popups ever made!)
Looking for a tow vehicle
Minivan towing
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SAModricker
PA
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Joined: 10/18/2006
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I tow a 2500 GVWR Starcraft Galaxy PUP with a new 2008 Grand Caravan. It has the 4.0 engine and 6 speed trans. It feels like it could pull much more whereas my 1998 AWD with 133k on the original trans was starting to feel like it was too much weight. This 4.0 liter has power to spare and I feel like it really could pull the 3600 lbs that its rated for. The 98 was rated for 3500lbs but I'm not so sure it could have. I miss the AWD but still happy you get load leveling with the tow package. You also get a trans and oil cooler.
My only beef is that I get a very little bit of sway that is annoying me. The trailer place wants to put the friction style sway bars on. Its hard to believe that the aerodynamics are that much different. The weight in the trailer is definately not different. We pack the PUP exactly the same way.
I'm wondering if anyone else is having sway with an 08 caravan. Its very slight going around the rolling turns on the PA turnpike it wags side to side 1 or 2 inches.
It looks to me like the hitch is not centered by about 3/4". The trailer place thinks this couldn't have anything to do with it as the hitch is inserted into the factory bolts.
Anybody thoughts?
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mountaingoat
Windsor, Canada
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Joined: 03/11/2005
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I have 2008 grand caravan 5054kms with tow pkg. I pull a coleman seapine loaded about 3000 lbs no sway equipment pulls great just love it mountiangoat
Papabear, Mamabear, Coleman Seapine, Dodge Grand Caravan
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Guest
USA
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Joined: 08/02/2004
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Not a Caravan, but my Honda van has similar power and weight specs to the Caravan 3.8 engine. Makes a fine rig with our 2,700# loaded, 12 foot, low wall popup.
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burkehouse
Twin Cities Area, Minnesota
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Joined: 07/17/2003
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We have the friction sway bar, and the one time I forgot to put it on I could really tell because the trailer was all over the place. It does amaze me that something so small and simple makes such a difference.
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