sneak_e_pete Posted June 4, 2012 Report Share Posted June 4, 2012 Hi there....really close to signing on a new boat. Just making sure on a couple of things. My Grand Caravan is rated for 3,500 (with 2 people and their luggage). The boat package I am looking at would be about 2,900 with gas and gear....do you see any issues? Ramp I will use 99% of the time is in good shape and relatively flat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jer Posted June 4, 2012 Report Share Posted June 4, 2012 Just my opinion, but I wouldn't want to tow much more than 2000lbs with a Caravan. You'll really be pushing it to it's limit with that kinda weight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercman Posted June 4, 2012 Report Share Posted June 4, 2012 (edited) If its eqipped with a tow package, ie tranny cooler and HD shocks etc, then you should be good to go.Is it a newer model? or is it one of the ones with perpetual transmission problems Edited June 4, 2012 by mercman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
workwear Posted June 4, 2012 Report Share Posted June 4, 2012 front wheel vehicles have a hard time pulling your boat up a ramp....tounge is pushing down at the back of the van lifting the front wheels up a little....on a wet steep ramp...ya aint gonna do it!!! not only will you have problems...but you will definitely wear that tranny out ....just speaking from experience Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davey buoy Posted June 4, 2012 Report Share Posted June 4, 2012 I also heard front wheel drive is not the best way to go if you want your vehicle to last. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krixxer Posted June 4, 2012 Report Share Posted June 4, 2012 I tow with a minivan. My 4L uplander has no problem with my little boat. Fully loaded I'm just shy of 2000lbs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sneak_e_pete Posted June 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 Its a 2011 3.6 litre. Gvwr is 6050lb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIFTER_016 Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 If you're going to tow close to the limit like that do yourself a big favour and get a weight distribution hitch. It will make a huge difference in the way the van handles as well as effectively taking 1/2 the tongue weight off the rear wheels and putting it on the front driving wheels. This will get rid of the rear sag and give you better traction on the front driving/steering wheels. Your van will corner better when hauling the boat and get better traction when pulling the boat out of the lake. One similar to This should do the trick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archer379 Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 I tow my 1750 crest liner not sure of the weight of it but would think it would be over 2 with fuel with are 2002 caravn 3.3 liter all the time when we camp I use the truck to launch it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pikeslayer Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 If you're going to tow close to the limit like that do yourself a big favour and get a weight distribution hitch. It will make a huge difference in the way the van handles as well as effectively taking 1/2 the tongue weight off the rear wheels and putting it on the front driving wheels. This will get rid of the rear sag and give you better traction on the front driving/steering wheels. Your van will corner better when hauling the boat and get better traction when pulling the boat out of the lake. One similar to This should do the trick. Do those 'arms' reach the 'A' section of the trailer? How do they transfer weight to the front driving wheels? Curious, as I pull a 3350 lb package (not with a Caravan). Thx, Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tb4me Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 Do those 'arms' reach the 'A' section of the trailer? How do they transfer weight to the front driving wheels? Curious, as I pull a 3350 lb package (not with a Caravan). Thx, Simon x2...lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIFTER_016 Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 Do those 'arms' reach the 'A' section of the trailer? How do they transfer weight to the front driving wheels? Curious, as I pull a 3350 lb package (not with a Caravan). Thx, Simon Yes they reach the A section of the trailer on campers but you need a pole tongue adapter for boat trailers. Pole Tongue Adapter Here's a good article on how weight distribution hitches work. There are also smaller weight distribution hitches for trailers 3500#'s or under (I really should have linked to that one for the OP but couldn't find it at the time) http://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Distribution/Reese/RP66024.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Handlebarz Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 I had no issues with any of my caravans towing any boat. My newest boat is 17' Starcraft super fisherman I would load it with all camping gear and head to Cameron lake a good long drive down the 401 and then back roads. Before that we would head way north elk lake Sudbury and other places north. The only problem I would have is in the late fall here in LSC I would get stuck pulling out of the launch as there is a drop off all trailers get hung up on but there would be someone around to pull me out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sneak_e_pete Posted June 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 Thanks for the posts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msp Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 I tow with a 2002 Grand Caravan ( 300 000km ) The total boat weight is only 1600 lbs. I have been towing for about 4 years and have not had a problem yet. ( knock on wood ) A couple of sketchy launches but everthing was fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikemcmillan Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 multiple Caravan owner and I like them, I have a 2007 and tow a 18 foot aluminum bowrider, power is ok but my big concern is braking. Your newer van has had brake issues from day one, (sorry don't mean to be so blunt) and towing a 3000 pound load is taxing those brakes big time. I also agree with the launching issues, in is no problem but getting out sometimes is. shocks me that that van is 6000 pounds. what ever you decide good luck with the new boat and enjoy the ride. KW Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cast-Away Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 Remember to only tow in 3rd gear and never in overdrive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovetofish Posted June 6, 2012 Report Share Posted June 6, 2012 I towed my 17.5' 1988 bass tracker with my 1997 dodge caravan and it was a 3L for 5 or 6 years. No problems Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassfighter Posted June 6, 2012 Report Share Posted June 6, 2012 mine is a 1998 grand caravan with 3.3 L engine had a transmission cooler and 275000mileage. I tow with my 16 foot trihull fibreglass boat with 85hp engine. No problem towing my boat, just eat 7km/L of gas while towing. sometimes I wish it had more power to get up hill. driving without towing is 9km per L. Owning a 4x4 vehicle might have more power when towing our boat, but can also eat unnecessary gas when we are not towing our boat during regular driving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoty Posted June 6, 2012 Report Share Posted June 6, 2012 (edited) Owning a 4x4 vehicle might have more power when towing our boat, but can also eat unnecessary gas when we are not towing our boat during regular driving. Only use 4x4 when you have to...have it off the rest of the time. Edited June 6, 2012 by Stoty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smally21 Posted June 6, 2012 Report Share Posted June 6, 2012 4wd vehicles dont have any more power than their 2wd counterparts. i think the minivans GCWR was listed at 6000# not its actual weight.. 7km/litre sounds like a great number for towing a small boat, 100L tank on a full size truck getting 700kms/tank sounds great to me! Its an unusual way to list a mileage factoid but a quick conversion gives me only about 5km/litre in my tacoma pulling 3000lbs. As mentionied, you are within the specified weight limits - keep things well maintained and everything should be fine. Hardly the first guy towing with a minivan, enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityfisher Posted June 6, 2012 Report Share Posted June 6, 2012 4wd vehicles dont have any more power than their 2wd counterparts. i think the minivans GCWR was listed at 6000# not its actual weight.. 7km/litre sounds like a great number for towing a small boat, 100L tank on a full size truck getting 700kms/tank sounds great to me! Its an unusual way to list a mileage factoid but a quick conversion gives me only about 5km/litre in my tacoma pulling 3000lbs. As mentionied, you are within the specified weight limits - keep things well maintained and everything should be fine. Hardly the first guy towing with a minivan, enjoy. yeah lots do it... just pick good boat launches:) if not a truck or a jeep will help u out. ( i did it last weekend, front tires kept spinning on a guy with a minivan) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raf Posted June 6, 2012 Report Share Posted June 6, 2012 (edited) 4wd vehicles dont have any more power than their 2wd counterparts. the torque or pulling power at the wheels is a measure of engine torque * gear ratio * final drive and in a 4WD equipped vehicle * the gear reduction in the 4WD transfer case (4HI vs 4LO) so your statement is false. a 4LO equipped vehicle does have more pulling power than vehicle with only 2WD, AWD or even 4HI only eventhough though their engine/transmission/rear-end specs are otherwise the same (which, often times, they are not between 4wd/2wd) Edited June 6, 2012 by Raf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smally21 Posted June 6, 2012 Report Share Posted June 6, 2012 (edited) of course 4WD has more pulling power in 4LO. so would a 35hp tractor. either option limits top speed to next to nothing. the 2 vehicles out on the highway in 2WD are the same. one doesn't have more power than the other. a simple statement hardly needs dissecting. the statement is not false. no one said anything about pulling stumps... Edited June 7, 2012 by smally21 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishinmortician Posted June 7, 2012 Report Share Posted June 7, 2012 I have a 2009 dodge journey, same breaking system as caravan. Feels like boat is going to come through back window as break system is poorly designed for towing. Wouldn't suggest if your caravan is a 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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