How is the caravan for towing

[sparky65]

Looking at buying an 07 grand caravan with the trailering package. How do those load leveling shocks work. We tend to overload our vehicles so the Chevy system for load leveling is nice but that van has other issues. Is there any issues with the grand caravan as it relates to towing. How is the strength of its trans?

[vipergg]

Caravan is ok to tow stuff up to like 3000 lbs , don't think I would go over that much if you are loading up the van . The tow package comes with what they call Nivomat self leveling shocks . These are completely hydraulic and they some how raise the rear end as you drive thus adjusting the rear end where it should be , they seem to work ok as I tow a 3500 lbs boat for short distances and the rear end really doesn't sag much . If it has the tow package it will come with a heavy duty tranny and oil cooler and radiator along with a full size spare . The bad part to nivomat shocks if you tend to keep your vehicle a long time and ever have to replace those , at the dealer they get $400 a "piece" to replace those , thats for parts not labor too .If you look at them they are "huge" shocks look like they belong on a half ton truck . I have seen them a couple places for a little over $200 a piece . If you are going to tow replace tranny fluid every 30k miles .

[corning_d3]

A minivan wasn't made to tow. If you insist on towing, do as vipergg said and replace the fluid often. Another MUST DO is to install a auxilary transmission fluid cooler if it doesn't have one. Still, your asking for trouble....Dodge automatics aren't known for being super solid...

[HeadlessHorseman1]

Originally Posted by corning_d3

A minivan wasn't made to tow. If you insist on towing, do as vipergg said and replace the fluid often. Another MUST DO is to install a auxilary transmission fluid cooler if it doesn't have one. Still, your asking for trouble....Dodge automatics aren't known for being super solid...

Yeah, what corning said... I insist on towing and I've replaced my transmission twice in seven years... I used to tow a 2000 Coleman Utah (2800lbs). Still do, but only two or three times per year, 20 miles or less. Trust me... transmission lasts WAY longer this way.