Towing with an '09 Grand Caravan

[mstephens]

Aage -
Great looking rig you have there. Did you mention what gas mileage you get?

[Aage]

Originally Posted by mstephens

Aage -
Great looking rig you have there. Did you mention what gas mileage you get?

Thanks! We like Henri a lot.

Nope, I didn't, for two reasons:

1. We decided that whatever it is, we were going to go anyways
2. I didn't calculate it.

[Ganaraska]

Some suggestions for happy towing:

Low profile tires will reduce sway, improve stability, and in effect, lower your gearing. Get the same size tires but if your standard tires are 70 series get 60, if you have 60 get 50

A trans cooler will make your trans last longer, and be more reliable. A change to synthetic fluid won't hurt.

A really good hitch, sway control, and brake control for safety and peace of mind. You never know when an emergency may pop up.

[PA BAMBI II]

Originally Posted by Aprilrivet

We tow our 25' Classic with our '08 T&C / 3.8 / 6 spd with very few issues other than comments from individuals that are convinced we can't do it. Proper weight distribution hook up and good tires are the key. You won't be the fastest on the roads but staying in the truck lane is ok. You should look at the hp rating and torque of 3rd gear in your 3.3 but with some confidence you should be ok

Does your '08 T&C 3.8 6 speed have the factory installed tow prep package including increased trans cooling, engine cooling, and suspension components? We are looking at similar vans to tow our '64 Bambi II and have been told/researched that the tow prep package gives the vans a tow rating of 3600 lbs. but it seems like many of you are doing well towing possibly without it.

[shadeemry]

Originally Posted by Aage

Here's a photo of our 1974 31' Sovereign and our tow vehicle, a 2007 Ford Freestar. The Freestar has a tough transmission and a 4.2L V6 engine, and can tow Henri the Sov about anywhere.



We went to Florida and back, stopping at the AS factory in Jackson Center, OH on the way down AND back, got to my brother's place in Atlanta, saw my wife's sister where she lives not far from Orlando, and spent a week in an RV park, with Henri parked over looking the Santa Rosa Sound in the Florida Panhandle.

A trip of over 4,000 miles, and the worst thing that happened was that Henri's WH sprang a leak and needed replacing.

Of course, we DO have a WD hitch, set up by Andrew_T of Can-Am RV...

what was your vehicle rated for? and whats the gvwr of that airstream you have? im thinking about using a 2008 dodge grand caravan with the 3.3.. i looked up general specvs and it says for yours right around 3,200..

[Aage]

The '74 and '75 AS TTs are about identical, IIRC. Ours was set up by Can-Am in London, ON, and the Grand Caravan with the 6-speed transmission was another vehicle Andy mentioned they have done a lot hitch work on for trailers like yours and mine.

You should talk to him though, not me. I just drive it.

[Alumaholic]

Originally Posted by aceflys

Thanks for the in info. The Airstream and Caravan have been put to bed for the winter. We are heading to FLA later this month but the AS is is not going. The Caravel will be heading to Frank's Trailer Works in Baltimore for re-buffing and seam sealing. I had a new axle installed this year and it towing like a dream. I have not got a WD hitch yet. I'm still on the fence.

Ace in PA

Attachment 173717

Can't tell you how much I enjoy this thread for its thoughtful presentation of information and great pictures.
I pulled a Volkswagon Jetta across the U.S. and back between duty stations using a Grand Voyager. I was delighted with the "Little Engine That Could" performance.
Now, please get off the fence get a weight distribution hitch for even better performance and safety.
You won't need a Hensley or a ProPride.
An Equalizer or a Reese will be fine.
MaxTow has so eloquently explained why you must do this, I won't try to offer any more compelling information. Just do it, please, in the name of risk management.

[MrUKToad]

Originally Posted by Aage

Here's a photo of our 1974 31' Sovereign and our tow vehicle, a 2007 Ford Freestar. The Freestar has a tough transmission and a 4.2L V6 engine, and can tow Henri the Sov about anywhere.



We went to Florida and back, stopping at the AS factory in Jackson Center, OH on the way down AND back, got to my brother's place in Atlanta, saw my wife's sister where she lives not far from Orlando, and spent a week in an RV park, with Henri parked over looking the Santa Rosa Sound in the Florida Panhandle.

A trip of over 4,000 miles, and the worst thing that happened was that Henri's WH sprang a leak and needed replacing.

Of course, we DO have a WD hitch, set up by Andrew_T of Can-Am RV...

Goodness me, I missed that lovely photo. We did a similar trip to you with the Sienna and the 28' International. Down to Orlando on the I75 (stopping at some great places), then back via New Orleans and my uncle's place in Knoxville. We also called in at Jackson Center on the way home, which was an experience.

[MrUKToad]

Originally Posted by MrUKToad

Goodness me, I missed that lovely photo. We did a similar trip to you with the Sienna and the 28' International. Down to Orlando on the I75 (stopping at some great places), then back via New Orleans and my uncle's place in Knoxville. We also called in at Jackson Center on the way home, which was an experience.

Oh, and all we had was a slow flat on the Sienna, repaired in Knoxville for the grand sum of $8!

[aceflys]

.

Originally Posted by Alumaholic

Can't tell you how much I enjoy this thread for its thoughtful presentation of information and great pictures.
I pulled a Volkswagon Jetta across the U.S. and back between duty stations using a Grand Voyager. I was delighted with the "Little Engine That Could" performance.
Now, please get off the fence get a weight distribution hitch for even better performance and safety.
You won't need a Hensley or a ProPride.
An Equalizer or a Reese will be fine.
MaxTow has so eloquently explained why you must do this, I won't try to offer any more compelling information. Just do it, please, in the name of risk management.

Well thanks for the kind words. I must say I'm still on the fence. I'm afraid a WD hitch will put unwanted stress to the all orig frame of my Caraval. Plus the stress to the Caravan's uni body. I leaning towards air bags and new SUV type tires. Please remember I'm not a newbie. I have 30 years of towing under my belt.

Here is a link for the tires I'm thinking about.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f238...ml#post1171824

Ace in PA

TAC PA-1
WBCCI 2169

[Midnightmoon]

You are thinking of the Firestone Destinations correct?

[Alumaholic]

For my tow vehicles, I prefer Michelins.

[Aprilrivet]

Ace, as others have said Andy T at Can Am is the towing expert. He set us up. We have an '08 T&C van, 3.8, 6 spd trans hooked up to a 25' 1996 Classic and have had absolutely no issues. You'll need good tires, a WD system, perhaps some anti sway bars. Our 6 spd trans has an advantage over your 4 spd but other than that you're good to go.
Good luck

[aceflys]

I have been towing with my 09 Grand Caravan for 2 years. I have been very happy overall. The ride is smooth and the gas mileage ranges from 12-17 mpg. The only issue is that I don't like to use the cruise on any hilly roads. It downshifts too much and makes me worried I'll overheat the transaxle. I just came back from The Bash. The van was loaded with my Trail 70 and 3 loaded coolers and tons of camping gear. The Caravel was not carrying much. I ran 70-75 mph the whole way with AC running and got 13.5 mpg on the 160 round trip. I do not use a WD hitch. I'm still very pleased with my Dodge as my tow rig.

Ace In PA

[Aage]

To me, the first (left) photo clearly shows that you need a WD hitch.

You are removing needed weight from your front wheels. This is dangerous. Did you notice any tendency to wheelspin when starting off from a complete stop?

Please get a professional to help you with the setup.

[aceflys]

Originally Posted by Aage

To me, the first (left) photo clearly shows that you need a WD hitch.

You are removing needed weight from your front wheels. This is dangerous. Did you notice any tendency to wheelspin when starting off from a complete stop?

Please get a professional to help you with the setup.

Aage thank you for your input. I am will in the spec for my van to be towing my Caravel. My trailer weighs under 2500 lbs and the tongue weight is around 260 lbs. My van is rated to tow 4000 lbs. and a tongue weight limit of 400 lbs. After consulting Andy I have installed a reinforced class 4 hitch and lower profile SUV tires. I have had no tire spin or steering problems. As I have stated before I'm choosing not to use a WD system because I do not want to over stress the lighter duty frame my Carvel was built on.