I've got an '05 Caravan with the big six cylinder engine. It doesn't have the towing package so I think it's limited to a total of 2000 lbs in tow (including passengers).
I think the towing package raises that to 3800 lbs.
We'd like to get a small pop-up trailer but 2000 lbs is not enough. Is there a practical way to add the towing package (or its equivalent) to this van?
Thanks in advance,
-B
bw03
07-24-2009, 07:29 AM
Practical way? It certainlty sounds possible. Of course the cost may not be cheap.
included load leveling and height control, a heavy-duty radiator, a trailer-tow wiring harness, and an upgraded 600-ampere battery
Wrenchgear
07-24-2009, 11:22 PM
Belrix...
I too wanted to get more towing capabilities out of my GC 2001. I do not have the towing package either. I tow a 19.5 ft bowrider fiberglass boat with a big 6 cyl merc. in it. I have asked a spring/suspension shop, (up here in Canada) if they would put heavier springs in the back. They said "no" as they figure it will raise the rear of the vehicle too high and affect the handling characteristics of the van. They also said that "everybody buys a caravan because they ride like a car and if he was to change that, I would come back a complain about it". I told him that I would take all responsibility for the ride, I just want it to handle the boat better. When he heard that, he told me to get a truck to handle a big boat. ***hole.
I bought some "Timbren" suspension rubber helpers that replace the factory bump stops on the rear axle. They are taller so they contact the axle before the body has a chance to sag too far down. Very easy to install at home in 10 mins. They do make the ride a little "hoppy" in the back, but I've gotten use to it. $250 up here. I like them.
I don't think that a small pop-up trailer should be any concern for your van. I also pull an ATV trailer with 2 quads on it with no problems at all.
Wrench
Rick99
07-25-2009, 10:22 AM
The factory wire harnesses come up on eBay every once in a while-- the tow package vans were shipped without the harness installed-- just stuck in the back, so people often sell them cheap. They're great because they just plug in to your tail light harness. An additional transmission cooler placed in front of your radiator is always a good idea for towing-- not too expensive either-- I got a B&M Supercooler plate-style for about $50 and it works great on my Durango.
I have to say, I'd be hesitant to use our van to tow 3800 lbs, even with a few mods, but I can see that you might want to do that if you don't have another vehicle. You may also consider a brake controller if your trailer has electric brakes--- they make towing much safer and easier especially if you're on the heavy side.
Also, consider if your trailer is going to have a separate battery-- you may want to run a power wire back there from your van's battery so it will charge while under way.
Wrenchgear
07-25-2009, 12:19 PM
Belrix / Rick99
I agree that a trans cooler is a great investment, especially given the history of Caravan transmissions. However when I looked into putting one on my 2001 GC, there was already a dedicated cooler on there. The trans fluid bypasses the rad altogether and only goes through the cooler. The cooler is about 1/3 the size of the rad so its a pretty decent size. I beleive that Dodge went this route because of all the probs that these trannys were having.
One quick thing to note although -- take the top plastic cover off the top of the rad saddle (only a couple of bolts, 5 mins job) and have a look down in there at the cooler squished between the rad and the A/C cond. The aluminum rivets that hold the cooler to the brackets have a tendency to rot away allowing the cooler to slip out of the top bracket and lean up against the rad. Road vibrations then let the cooler rub a hole through the rad. It happened to mine. New rad, $200. I fixed up bro-in-laws and also Pop-in-laws vans. Both were in the same condition but haden't rubbed a holes in their rads yet.
Wrench
RetsaM
07-26-2009, 08:29 PM
I have install my self my towing package... with the timbren suspension all electric wire, brake controler, hitch class 3,
