Towing Uhaul with 2002 Grand Caravan Sport?

A few questions for the pro''s

I am planning to get a hitch on the van @ Uhaul?? and then hauling a trailer 4x8 or 5x8 from MO to CA full of a product I am selling. Trailer and contents <2000 Lbs

My questions are
Must I have the towing package?
Extra tranny Cooler?
Does anyone have any idea on how this will change the mileage?
I read somewhere about not using overdrive?
What about using cruise control?

ANy input will be appreciated.

Thank you
Jan http://www.dodgetalk.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif

I have a '97 with the 3.8L. Last summer, we towed a 5 x 8 enclosed uhaul trailer from Oregon to Arizona. In Nevada, temperatures were upwards of 110 °F, and while climbing up hills (even moderate ones), we had to turn off the A/C to avoid overheating. I don't think we have the tow package (van had hitch when we bought it about 1-1/2 years ago). We didn't use overdrive, left it in 3rd the whole way, and had to drive a bit slower.

I'd estimate our weight at a bit closer to about 1200 Lbs. If I had a suburban or crew cab pickup truck that could fit the rest of the family, I'd use that, but I don't, and would use the van again in a pinch, but definitely not my favorite vehicle for the task.

IIRC, our mileage was around 11-13 mpg I think. Definitely not good.

I would very much get the transmission cooler, plus the the transmission filter & fluid before starting.

Also, get the cooling system serviced if it hasn't been serviced in the past 2 years.

I'd agree - anything you can do to ensure your cooling system is in top notch condition is a good thing, especially since you'll be towing during the hot summer months. I changed my transmission fluid and filter before and after the trip (partially because I'd recently purchased the van and didn't know the prior maintenance history)

I forgot to mention, my van has a transmission cooler, but I'm guilty of not checking it out thoroughly prior to the trip.

Chad

Thank You So Much everyone for your input :)

One more question plz. They will be travelling the I40 across to LA,Ca. Unsure of the grades that they will be getting into. They know not to drive in Overdrive but should they gear down for going down the mountains?
They are towing the 5*8 with @ 1500 lbs inside << As I write this I am trying to make sure they don't overload this trailer the extra weight sounds bad in all cases {handling/gas and engine/tranny}

It is the 3.3 NO tranny cooler :(

Please advise I am writing this for my friend that is actually leaving Kansas City today going west.
Thank You, Jan

Didn't get this until today, so probably not much help now. However, if they're loading an additional 1500 Lbs into the trailer AND have no tranny cooler, I'd be sweating bullets for sure. Unless I was certain that the cooling system was in PERFECT condition, I definitely wouldn't load in that much additional weight. Where I estimated my towing weight at 1200 Lbs, that included the weight of the trailer. The main cargo was a table and chairs , which obviously don't weigh a lot.

As far as gearing down for the mountains, I'd avoid it if I could. My theory is that brake pads and rotors are far cheaper to replace than a transmission, but there is a balance between overheating the brakes to consider as well.

At this point, their best bet would be to traveling through the night and morning hours. Oh, and BE SURE to change that tranny fluid when they get back as well, because it will have had a very hard life by then.

Thank You web
No not to late Yesterday they were all on flat which was good getting used to the feel of things etc.

They do have@ 2300 lbs including the weight of the trailer.
I actually have not been able to reach them today but I figure thay are around Albuquerque UGH Hot.

Yours is the first post saying not to gear down {I was on other forums as well} you reasoning makes sense tho. Not sure what to tell them at this point?

The vehicle was completely serviced before heading out and the trailer SHOULD be staying in CA with the cargo gone. SO I will tell her to get the tranny checked over good before heading back home.

I have passed on all the info I can to them and they are very protective of her van so lets keep our fingers n toes crossed that things don't heat up anymore today its around 90 right now . I will remind her again about the AC and frequent stops to cool things down

I wonder did you come down the coast and across the I40?

Thank you web it is always nice to get input from those that have been there n done it. :)
Regards
Jan

It could be that I need to service my cooling system on my van, but I just recall that in the hot weather (110°F) and going up a steep grade while towing, in addition to turning on the heater, the key was to just plain go slow. Yeah, the van was CAPABLE of keeping the same speed going up the hill, but it would tend to overheat if I made it do so. Going slower helped a lot in that regard. It won't make you the popular vehicle on the road, but better than the alternative.

In regard to shifting down in the mountains, they'll already be in 3rd gear, which pretty much limits you to about 50-60 mph to keep the RPM's under control to also avoid overheating. If I was going down a really LONG steep grade where I was seriously concerned about brake fade, then I would probably shift down in addition to braking, but my point was to use downshifting as more of a backup, and not your main plan while going down a grade. Like I said, brake pads are cheap and easy - transmission not so much.

Regardless of how things go, please post an update when their trip is over. I'd be curious to see how the trek turns out.