bcpalmer
California
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My daughter and son-in-law are thinking about buying a Chrysler Town And Country minivan. They also have plans to buy a folding trailer in the future. Now I believe that bigger is better, but not wanting to but in on their business, this time anyway, I was wondering if anyone here has any experience towing with this minivan and if so their opinions and the weight they tow.
2004 Dodge Ram 2500 CTD / 2005 Crossroads Cruiser 28RL / B&W hitch
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Chris Stapleton
Weber City VA USA
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Joined: 04/04/2002
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In a word, yes. The T&C will tow any popup on the market. If they are buying new, tell them to GET THE TOWING PACKAGE! It includes an oversized radiator that will give them a max of 3800 lbs. Without it, they are limited to 3500 lbs.
Also, they need to assess their tastes. If the minimum pop-up they can live with is a 14' box with a slide, bathroom, and AC, they may want to think about a bigger vehicle, because they are at the limit of this one with thier "minimal rv".
When towing with a van, there are a few things to remember. Most vans wiegh 3500-4200 lbs. That's not a bunch over the max trailer weight, so its good to keep as much wieght in the van and the trailer as light as possible. And FWD makes the rear lighter than it is on a truck or SUV, meaning it can be yanked easiler. I've pulled my 8' box and a small U-haul with my van. It was fine as long as I am careful and mindfull of my speed and braking distances.
'96 Mercury Villager/class II Hidden Hitch
'66 Apache Buffalo full tent top fold up
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frankusa
East Providence, RI USA
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I tow with a 95 t&c awd with tow pack. I tow a 98 coleman sunrigde 12' plus storage trunk, is 19' from rear bumper to tow ball. trailer dry weight is 2300lb tows great up to 70mph then a little sway may develop. I have anti sway bar but havent setup my reciever with the 3/4" ball yet, I probably be able to go even faster without sway. as far as the van goes it doesnt even break a sweat towing the camper gas mileage suffers by about 1-2 mpg.
*This Message was edited on 29-Apr-02 03:53 PM by frankusa*
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Chris Stapleton
Weber City VA USA
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Frank,
It seems to me that some people are a little paranoid about towing popups, have you noticed this? My family has always towed a popup with no real vehicular modifications, yet on this site I often hear peopel swearing buy trailer breaks and 3 ton trucks in order to tow. The essence of popup camping to me is that you don't have to buy a special vehicle to camp. You can use what you have, to a point.
Do you agree?
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frankusa
East Providence, RI USA
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I agree that some people get wrapped up in modifications. the camper does not sway below 70mph, thats about as fast as I will go. I havent setup my sway-bar that came with the camper because there is no apparent need for it. The vans brakes stop the camper without hardly any effort. I have electric brakes on the camper but no controller in the van so, they are not being used. I do planning on buying a brake controller, but see no immediate need for it. Best advice is to try a few local trips with the camper, and if you feel the vechicle is not performing safely then consider some modifactions. dont go to town and buy every gagit on the market.
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bcpalmer
California
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Thank you both for your replies. I wasn't clear in what information I was seeking. I wasn't paranoid about my daughter towing a folding trailer with a minivan. What I was concerned about was if the T & C had enough power and how such things as the transmission and brakes seem to hold up. I know Chrysler rates them capable of towing but you can't rely to heavily on the manufacturers ratings. I far as trailer brakes go, I think they should be used when ever possible. Most vehicles such as cars, minivans and mini-trucks don't have alot to spare in the brake area. I have towed small trailers without brakes also with no problems but all it takes is one accident avoiding situation and you'll wish you had all the brake you could get. To think otherwise is foolish.
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JIMMY034
Springville, NY (S. of Buffalo)
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Joined: 04/30/2001
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While I wouldn't agree that the T&C can tow ANY pop-up on the market (the larger Colemans are rediculously heavy) it can tow just about all of them, but I certainly wouldn't tow anything larger. You need to tell them to make darn sure they are not going to want to upgrade to a TT before they dump the minivan, as that is what I did and it made for a bad experience overall. It did the job, but really struggled at times.
The Town & Country is, in my opinion, the nicest, most capable and most well equipped minivan on the market, hands down. Actually it's not opinion, but fact, just look at the sales figures of the (all Chrysler minivans including the Caravan and Voyager) Chrysler minivans.
The T&C with the factory tow package and the 3.8 V-6 now has the highest towing limit of any minivan, at 3,800 pounds. Of course I wouldn't advocate coming close to that number, as it is quite generous as all manufacturers tow ratings are.
2005 Silverado 2500HD 4X4 C/C/6.0/4.10/Pullrite Super 5th/Prodigy.
2004 Puma 249RBS fifth-wheel bunkhouse.
Jim, Darlene, Michael, Sam, Brian and Hollyann, and cats Biscuit and Stardst USAF/GULF WAR VET.
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