I'm new here and have a few questions with regards to a trailer hitch.
I own a 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan minivan with the 3.3L engine. I do not have a tow package installed. The GTW for this vehicle is 1800lbs. With this maximum trailer weight, I assume a Class I hitch will be adequate. I plan to buy a used very small trailer such as a Cadet, Boler or Trillium about 13 feet in length. The weight of those I have in mind are 800 to 1000lbs dry. I expect I will be driving on mountain roads some of the time.
Will I need to install a transmission oil cooler?
Will I need a weight-distribution hitch?
Will I need an anti-sway bar - either friction type or something more elaborate?
A transmission oil cooler can't hurt. As far as the weight goes, remember that everything inside the van, including, your passengers, your dog, your gear and your beer, all count toward the total weight rating. I'd lean toward the lighter of the trailers with that tow vehicle. You probably won't need a weight distribution hitch (10-15% should be the tongue weight) so your tongue weight shouldn't be more than 150 pounds. As far as sway control, some of that depends on how the trailer is loaded/balanced. If it sways, adjust the load. If it still sways, get a sway bar.
Welcome aboard!
Glen
2004 Dutchmen 27BG, Rocky Mountain Elk Edition
2002 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 8.1/Ally
2 boys, 13 & 15
a friendly black lab
a couple of decks of cards
a cold beer
I think you will find that your minivan is very underpowered. Even though the trailers you're looking at are small & light, they will still catch some wind, which makes towing harder on the vehicle (by quite a bit) than pulling, say, a popup which will have a lower profile. We had a Dodge minivan WITH the tow package and larger engine (3.8L comes to mind) and it could pull the popup pretty well, though did bog down some in the mountains. Remember, the weight of passengers & cargo has to be subtracted from your tow rating, which doesn't give you a lot of wiggle room.
I'm thinking you will need, at the very least, sway control and a transmission cooler. You'll also need to have wiring installed for trailer brakes (VERY important). Rather than do that, you might consider changing tow vehicles - or going with a small popup instead.
I had a 2000 Ford Ranger V6, 200 Hp. and started off w/a small popup. I live in a mountainous area. It did pretty good until I moved up to a 15 ft. popup. Then I was forced to make some mods., Air intake, exhaust etc,etc, wasn't worth the expense. A year later I purchased a used 25 ft. Keystone Zepplin. I had to sell the ranger and get a Full size F150. Point here is - your way under powered to pull anything, if your going to spend money on mods. go ahead and buy a decent tow vehicle and then the camper. It will be cheaper overall.
burl2009 wrote: ... I expect I will be driving on mountain roads some of the time.
Will I need to install a transmission oil cooler?
Will I need a weight-distribution hitch?
Will I need an anti-sway bar - either friction type or something more elaborate?...
I towed a 19' Starcraft for a year with a 2003 3.3L Grand Caravan, and then for another year with a 2005 3.8L Grand Caravan (both had the tow package, which, along with some other things, includes a transmission cooler), so I feel qualified to give the following opinion:
Flat land towing will be okay, but you'll quickly be wishing for a lot more power in the mountains.
Yes you should definitely install a transmission oil cooler.
You shouldn't need a WD hitch as long as you stay at the weight range RV you noted.
Yes you should install a friction anti-sway bar.
Also, without the tow package your Caravan probably isn't pre-wired with the necessary electrical connections, so that'll be harder getting that all set up correctly.
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