dodge caravan as a TV?

[car-go]

I am shopping for a small, used Airstream, my first. My current car is a 2006 Dodge Caravan (3.8L automatic). The manual says I can only pull 1,350 pounds with 3-5 persons and luggage. However, with Dodge's "trailer tow package", I could pull 3,350 pounds. Does anyone have experience with a Dodge Caravan as a TV? Is the "trailer tow package" something that could be added on? If so, which Airstream trailers would be under the 3,350 (with the recommended deductions)? Thank you for any advice!

[azflycaster]

Welcome to the forums.

Here is a list of dry weights. With the low towing limits you will be very limited as far as trailer selection. These are dry weights with out any options (Air Conditioner, awnings, hitch etc.) or personal items added to the trailer. It also does not include water or propane.

[RBolton]

car-go, I am a Dodge Dealer. Regardless of charts and ratings, I would not recommend towing more than about a ton with the Caravan and that is with the trailer tow pkg. Tongue weight is a real concern too.

There is not a "kit" for field installation of the Trailer Tow Pkg. It includes rear suspension, electrical system and cooling upgrades.

Roger

[Road Ruler]

Originally Posted by RBolton

car-go, I am a Dodge Dealer. Regardless of charts and ratings, I would not recommend towing more than about a ton with the Caravan and that is with the trailer tow pkg. Tongue weight is a real concern too.

I'm curious. Why is the tongue weight a real concern with the Caravan? Are they that bad of a vehicle? We see so many of them around here towing TT's. For many years our 93 Nissan Van easily handled the 600lbs of tongue weight on our 23'.

[pageclot]

Originally Posted by car-go

I am shopping for a small, used Airstream, my first. My current car is a 2006 Dodge Caravan (3.8L automatic). The manual says I can only pull 1,350 pounds with 3-5 persons and luggage. However, with Dodge's "trailer tow package", I could pull 3,350 pounds. Does anyone have experience with a Dodge Caravan as a TV? Is the "trailer tow package" something that could be added on? If so, which Airstream trailers would be under the 3,350 (with the recommended deductions)? Thank you for any advice!

Many Dodge Caravans came standard with the tow package upgrades (transmission cooler, heavy duty alternator, etc etc). Ours did, even though the invoice didn't specify the tow package.

We have the 3.8L automatic SXT, and after installing a weight distributing hitch (reinforced by CanAm), anti-sway bars, and brake controller (all vital parts of a good hitch), we were good to go for towing our '76 Overlander. Not ideal, but we weren't about to buy another vehicle before our current one is worn out. We take it easy, put it in 3rd gear and let it rev, and touch wood, we've been fine.

I do drool when I look at Dodge Sprinters, however, with their medium sized diesel engines and large interior roominess. When we win the lottery, we're upgrading our tow vehicle (and everything else).

Don't get discouraged, and best of luck on your search! I would look at older units that are lighter (and narrower), and maybe restrict myself to 25' or shorter.

-----
Kevin

[Denis4x4]

I just set up my wife's '08 T&C with 4.0 V6 and tow package to pull a new t@b that weighs 1600# empty. I went this route because the t@b and larger t@da both have surge brakes. For the record, I have to add the t@b to the list of quality trailers I've owned that includes our 25' Safari and a Featherlight car hauler with living quarters.

[car-go]

I guess I'm wondering if an Airstream is practical with my Dodge Grand Caravan, though I am heartsick to give up the idea. I've been told that even the old, lighter ones would be a strain. What are some good sources for used, lighter brands of travel trailers? I want to travel with my parents this year, while they are still able. Have appreciated all your replies and would appreciate further thoughts from anyone.

[Stefrobrts]

It sounds like you're worried about traveling with elderly parents, and for that I think you should consider the layout of the trailer for comfort and convenience for them as well. If you're just talking about taking a few trips through the summer, you might want to just rent a small motorhome. If you're talking about hitting the road for the entire summer, you might consider if they'll be comfortable sleeping on a pull out bed or a folded down dinette, which is what you'll probably have in any trailer small enough for your caraven to tow.

[richie rich]

I had a '01 Grand Caravan which in itself was a good camper.25 mpg and ample sleeping room with the 3rd seat removed and back seat folded down.Using it as a tv is another story.The transmission was nothing more than a dart/valiant trans turned sideways with the tail shaft removed.My brother had a '06 Caravan which he pulled a 4000 lb moving trailer from texas to florida.He burnt up the trans in Alabama so a Caravan as tv is only good if you are going one way-to the repair shop.Vans are good campers.Volkswagon campers in the 60's were killer,but I digress.Welcome to the forum.In passing,my first Airstream was delivered for I had no tv.

[Silvertwinkie]

Sorry bud, but yer pop-up or base camp bound. I can see no way possible you are going to be able to tow a trailer, cargo, fuel and passengers and keep it under 3600lbs......

[mutcth]

I also own a T@B that I tow with my Honda Odyssey minivan. (Pulls it great.) I admit to considering a larger trailer, particularly for the bathroom. You've got a few options, as I see it, if your goal is to stay anywhere near the towing limits:

- Old (and I mean old) Airstream - as in a 60s Caravel or Bambi. Not cheap when restored. But they're light - under 2000 lbs for the Bambi.

- 77-79 Argosy Minuet 20' - dry weight of 2500 lbs and a fairly light tongue weight.

- Newer Bambi 16' trailers are around 2900 lbs dry weight.

Given your goals - traveling with your parents - I'd actually consider something different. I'd look at (indeed I have been looking at) a Trailmanor. These hard-wall pop-up trailers are very light, and give the advantage of having a large bed at either end, great for adults sharing a trailer. You could also look at their new hard-sided fixed-wall Elkmont, a 24' trailer that weighs 2500 lbs and has a large fixed bed up front.

There are other "white box" trailers that combine light weight and decent space inside. Dutchman (part of the Thor congolomerate that includes T@B and Airstream) builds the Eco, a fully composite lightweight trailer.

I admit, these options aren't cool looking like Airstreams (or my T@B.) Vanity may be what ultimately sways me to indulging in aluminitus. But these trailers have some unique attributes for those of us who don't want to buy a heftier tow vehicle.

Tom

[mutcth]

Originally Posted by Denis4x4

I went this route because the t@b and larger t@da both have surge brakes.

The T@B has surge brakes - the T@DA does not. (It uses a different chassis from the T@B's European Al-ko chassis.)

Tom

[CanoeStream]

Dave and Pat tow a Minuet (the lightest out there) with a 2003 Caravan CT. If I recall the story john hd told, the CT is a commercial Caravan with somewhat higher capacities. I'm not finding much info on that model at Edmunds or Kelly Blue Book. That said, there are few significant mountain climbs within 1000 miles of Madison, WI. Such marginal rigs are for two people trailers max.

Without talking about the uncommon find of a lightweight Caravel or Globetrotter and your interest in significantly rehabbing a lighter vintage unit, what we're really talking about here is whether your adventure & life-changing Airstream choices should be frozen by a limited tow vehicle you will have for only a few more years.

More recent or older Airstreams will both require an investment (money vs. possible significant rehab time). Either way you'd be happier with a more significant tow vehicle. Remember how SUVs were parked with 'for sale' signs at the end of last summer? You'll end up putting more into an Airstream than you will in budgeting a mid to large tow vehicle. Make the Airstream 'for keeps.' Set up a plan for trading your Caravan and acquiring an Airstream? It might take more time than you'd currently wish but I'm sure you could get there.