Towing 2 sleds with a Caravan?


make sure it has a sufficient hitch that has been properly installed. Check the bolts and what they are bolted to/thru. I have seen many minivans/cars (we sell them) with rotted out bolts and/or unibody mounting points. Keep in mind that you aren't bolting to a frame rail, and some drilling may be required when mounting a hitch on a unibody vehicle.

Class I: 2000/200
Class II: 3500/350
Class III: 5000/500
 
Should me fine--- You are towing less (a lot less) then 2,000 lbs, and any nidsize car can do that.
 
Well

I pulled a 3 place with my Bravada, and it is only a 3.3. My caravan is a 3.3, and it seems to run better than the bravada. I'd say stay out of OD watch all fluid temps and levels, and go for it.. Guys gotta do anything to find snow anymore. Maxdlx
 
Thanks guys.

He does have the larger engine offered in the Caravan so he should be OK. He'll take it to the hitch guy this week and check it out.

If it was a Bravada, i'd be no issue, that is a full frame truck 8)

That'll teach him to turn in the Durango lease and get a Lincoln LS instead 8)
 
Is it a covered trailer?

I had a '97 caravan back a few years ago for work and it was bit under powered unless the RPM's were over 5K. He might see a lot of 2nd gear towing if it is covered and there is any wind or hills. Change the oil in the caravan to synthetic for the winter to help reliability. if it starts shifting funny pull over asap and let the tranny cool off.

good luck.
 
I wouldn t run special oils etc. The full frame you compare to has no effect at 2000lbs As an example - Subaru is rated for 2000lbs, but a Maxima is only 1,200---They both have sub frames, but the max is biiger--why -- It has a lot to do with control including the brakes, and in this example awd.

This is not a concern at all, and I like to dot my t's...
 
you'll be fine. like I said, make sure your hitch is all set. check your fluids like you normally would. give the tranny fluid a sniff after each tow to make sure you aren't burning it....and go find some snow.

Our shop pull cars, trucks and SUV's all over our hilly little county with a 97 Buick lesabre with 170K miles on it and the original tranny. Other than getting pushed around a little by the SUV's, it works out fine.
 
Caravan tow rig

I am a Master Auto Technician FWIW. The Chrysler mini vans are famous for bad transmissions. My local dealer isn't big and he keeps 12 in stock. I have changed many and seen many junked because the trans repair exceeded the value of the van, lots of problems with the 3.0 motor also. In fact I have a 96 right now in my shops yard that has a bad 3.0 engine and a bad trans, customer is probably gonna junk it. Start saving now for a trans and you'll be OK. Good luck: DT
 
Well I will have to agree with daytripper. I own a driveshaft company and lets just say I would not use this as a tow vehicle. I don't care what manufactures numbers say for towing. No matter what vehicle it is. Just think you have a few hundred pound junked up in the back and then add the weight of the sleds. These things sit low in the ass anyhow. Now you take weight off the drivewheels and change the angles of the driveline. Pre 96 Caravan's pop axles out of the trains like lake effect snow in Munising. Most caused by poor motor mounts and changing of DRIVELINE angle. Post 96 the engineers got smarter, oh wait maybe not, the axles on the 96's snap in half. Usually caused by a computer glitch and the trans locking. Now in theory you should be able to tow w ith this vehicle, but in real world, I would save it for Soccer mom's. As far as Bravada's Don't go there same crap different maker. It's all part of the lets make things as light as possible. I think we know some sled manufactures like that. BUT!!! If that's all he has to get to snow. Runwatyabrung baby.... :lol:
 
caravan

yep, weak trannys in those, under normal conditions many don't make 100k, we put a factory rebuild in ours for about $2000.
 
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