2002 Limited AWD Towing Package ?

[Jerry&Mary]

We bought a used 2002 AWD Limited T&C from a Chrysler Dealer last year. The salesman said it had towing package on it. There was a trailer hitch already attached. We bought a pop-up camper( weight including gear etc 2300#) and want to haul it to South Dakota.When we went in for an oil change, all the parts guy could tell us was that the car was equipped with load-leveling shocks.
Do we have the larger radiatior or do we need to add extra cooling to the trreansmission. Why didn't the service manager know how to answere our question. What was included in the 2002 towing package?

[vipergg]

Originally Posted by Jerry&Mary

We bought a used 2002 AWD Limited T&C from a Chrysler Dealer last year. The salesman said it had towing package on it. There was a trailer hitch already attached. We bought a pop-up camper( weight including gear etc 2300#) and want to haul it to South Dakota.When we went in for an oil change, all the parts guy could tell us was that the car was equipped with load-leveling shocks.
Do we have the larger radiatior or do we need to add extra cooling to the trreansmission. Why didn't the service manager know how to answere our question. What was included in the 2002 towing package?

If you have the tow package and it sounds like you do with the load leveling shocks you have everything you need , heavy duty cooling , tranny and oil coolers also , also you can check to see if you have the full size spare this was included in the 2004 tow package we have on our T & C .

[heuristik]

Originally Posted by Jerry&Mary

We bought a used 2002 AWD Limited T&C from a Chrysler Dealer last year. The salesman said it had towing package on it. There was a trailer hitch already attached. We bought a pop-up camper( weight including gear etc 2300#) and want to haul it to South Dakota.When we went in for an oil change, all the parts guy could tell us was that the car was equipped with load-leveling shocks.
Do we have the larger radiatior or do we need to add extra cooling to the trreansmission. Why didn't the service manager know how to answere our question. What was included in the 2002 towing package?

I just bought a 2001 Town and Country Limited AWD. It has load leveling shocks, but did not come with a trailer hitch. My question is this -- if we add a transmission cooler and a class-3 hitch and put in wiring, is there actually any difference between what we have and the "Towing Package." -- is there
anything different about the body/transmission/axle in a vehicle said to have the Towing Package? Or is it just in the cooling apparatus?

Matt Temple

[kope49]

Originally Posted by heuristik

I just bought a 2001 Town and Country Limited AWD. It has load leveling shocks, but did not come with a trailer hitch. My question is this -- if we add a transmission cooler and a class-3 hitch and put in wiring, is there actually any difference between what we have and the "Towing Package." -- is there
anything different about the body/transmission/axle in a vehicle said to have the Towing Package? Or is it just in the cooling apparatus?

Matt Temple

I am test driving a 2002 AWD with the package now. The sales manager showed me what is in the package. It consists of:

1. transmission and engine oil coolers
2. larger heavy duty radiator
3. larger alternator
4. extra wiring
5. Load leveling system

[heuristik]

Originally Posted by kope49

I am test driving a 2002 AWD with the package now. The sales manager showed me what is in the package. It consists of:

1. transmission and engine oil coolers
2. larger heavy duty radiator
3. larger alternator
4. extra wiring
5. Load leveling system

When I took my 2001 AWD T&C to our local mechanic, he said there was a factory-installed transmission cooler; there is a full-size spare; and I have the load-leveling feature. But the specs on this Van doesn't say it has a towing package. Our local Chrysler dealer was pretty clueless, surprisingly enough.

Did you see where the oil and transmission cooler were located. The engine compartment is pretty crowded, to say the least! We've had the car only
a few days, added the hitch and sway bars and electric brake controls. It
happily pulled our trailer and horse. People look amazed when I show up at horsey events pulling a trailer with a T&C. Our '94 finally developed a transmission problem at 168K miles, which seems ok even if you're not pulling a trailer. --- matt temple

[kope49]

Originally Posted by heuristik

When I took my 2001 AWD T&C to our local mechanic, he said there was a factory-installed transmission cooler; there is a full-size spare; and I have the load-leveling feature. But the specs on this Van doesn't say it has a towing package. Our local Chrysler dealer was pretty clueless, surprisingly enough.

Did you see where the oil and transmission cooler were located. The engine compartment is pretty crowded, to say the least! We've had the car only
a few days, added the hitch and sway bars and electric brake controls. It
happily pulled our trailer and horse. People look amazed when I show up at horsey events pulling a trailer with a T&C. Our '94 finally developed a transmission problem at 168K miles, which seems ok even if you're not pulling a trailer. --- matt temple

I haven't looked underneath for the oil coller. The radiator does have two cooling fans.

I forgot to mention the full spare tire.

I have to laugh at my friends with the SUV's. Other than towing capacity I see nothing to recommend them over my T&C with AWD unless you are going off road. There is better passenger room, it drives like a car and it gets better (although not that good) gas mileage.

[heuristik]

Originally Posted by kope49

I haven't looked underneath for the oil coller. The radiator does have two cooling fans.

I forgot to mention the full spare tire.

I have to laugh at my friends with the SUV's. Other than towing capacity I see nothing to recommend them over my T&C with AWD unless you are going off road. There is better passenger room, it drives like a car and it gets better (although not that good) gas mileage.

If you ever find the oil-cooler, let me know where it is.

And yup. I considered a 4-runner, but this just seemed like as better deal. And as I said, we've pulled a horse trailer with two horses (putting us a few hundred pounds over the load limit) with our previous T&C with never a problem. I like to keep long distances between me and other cars. The 2001 is several steps beyond the 1994. It's very comfortable and very quiet. I never thought I'd care about electric door and hatch openers, but my wife, who has rotator-cuff problems in her shoulder really appreciates these amenities.

I did find a note indicating there are 2 types of transmission coolers. Mine has two fans as well. My plan is just to tow as I always have and not drive too quickly, keep it in "3," and use the sway bars. There sure are a lot of green LEDs around the radio/AC area!
-- matt Temple