The 2018 Dodge Caravan is a minivan that has made its mark as a multi-purpose utility vehicle capable of handling anything that’s thrown at it. It’s been more than 35 years since the Dodge Caravan was first released, and it’s undergone a lot of changes over the years. However, despite the many changes, one thing that remains consistent is its reputation for quality and reliability. In this article, we’re going to be looking at the 2018 Dodge Caravan towing capacity. Much like any other vehicle, the Dodge Caravan is able to hook up and tow a trailer. This comes in handy for those who need to move larger items, but don’t want to separate their family. The towing capacity may vary from Dodge Caravan to Dodge Caravan, depending on the model year and the trim level you’re driving. In this article we will be talking about the specifications of the minivans that are approved for towing, and what it really means for your vehicle.
Minivans are fantastic vehicles that cater to a wide variety of needs. And the Dodge Caravan is a people’s favourite for its uniqueness, versatility and not to mention its great towing capacity. Among all of its unique capabilities, what makes the Dodge Caravan extra special among the people is its price. Beginning at $27k, the Dodge Caravan is one of the least expensive minivans available.
What is the Dodge Caravan Towing Capacity?
Over the years the towing capacity for the Dodge Caravan has been inconsistent. But for the last decade, the Dodge Caravan’s towing capacity has maintained a constant towing capacity of 3600lbs. For context, an average cow weighs around 1200lbs, this means the Dodge Caravan can comfortably tow three average cows.
When considering the towing capacity of the Dodge Caravan, there are things you must consider. The most important one of them is the weight of the object you intend to tow. Kindly note that the 3600lbs towing capacity is calculated with no passenger or cargo in the vehicle.
To get the accurate towing capacity of the Dodge Caravan, you need to subtract the weight of the people or/and the cargo in the vehicle. This means if you have 1100lbs worth of cargo and people in your Dodge Caravan, the towing capacity becomes 2500lbs as opposed to the 3600lbs that is the maximum towing capacity.
Read More: What Kind of Tire is Best For My Vehicle.
What is Under the Hood of the Dodge Caravan?
The Dodge Caravan has a beautiful exterior, but underneath that astonishing exterior, the Dodge Caravan has enough engine power to support its incredible towing capacity.
The Dodge Caravan has an engine that was built for execution. Underneath the hood is an incredible 3.6litre Pentastar V6 with 283 horsepower and 260-pound feet of torque. With this incredible engine, the Dodge Caravan was built to go long miles with a massive towing capacity to haul heavy duty. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvXTMECxJss
Does the Dodge Caravan come made to Tow?
The Dodge Caravan is capable of towing over 3500lbs but it doesn’t come premade to tow. That is unless the vehicle has a tow package.
A tow package also known as a tow hitch is a device that is attached to the chassis of your vehicle. Before you tow anything on your Dodge Caravan, it’s important to first install a tow package. The type of tow package to install in your Dodge Caravan depends entirely on the size of the load you’ll be towing.
Tow packages generally come in four segments. The first three being light-duty, medium-duty and heavy–duty and the last segment being extra heavy duty. The last segment will not be necessary for Dodge Caravan as towing capacity is 3600 pounds, this is because the extra heavy-duty tow package is for towing capacities above 3600 pounds.
What Kind of Trailer can the Dodge Caravan Handle?
While the Dodge Caravan towing capacity is impressive, it will not be ideal if you’re looking for or already own a trailer that weighs over 3600 pounds. If you own a large trailer, a Dodge Caravan may not be the best option for you.
The 3600 pounds towing capacity isn’t just for the trailer, it’s the total weight of everything in the trailer. This means that when purchasing a trailer, you need to be on the lookout for a trailer that weighs less than 3600pounds.
When deciding the type of trailer to use, you need to select a light trailer. Light trailers are made from fibreglass as it is significantly lighter compared to stick-built trailers. Stick-built trailers are made with wood and are over 900 pounds heavier than the average fibreglass trailer. Considering the Dodge Caravan’s towing capacity trailers made out of fibreglass are generally better in terms of weight.
Safety Information for Towing with Dodge Caravan
While the towing capacity of the Dodge Caravan is worthy of applause, there are some tips you have to bear in mind before towing anything on your Dodge Caravan.
- When towing a trailer, weights must be distributed between the front and the back of the trailer. Weights in the trailer must be distributed unevenly inside the trailer so that 60% of the weight is in the front while 40% of the weight will be in the back to avoid swaying when the Dodge Caravan is towing.
- Objects weighing more than 1000 pounds must have their independent brakes. This is a safety measure that must be properly implemented. This is important so that whenever you press the brake pedal on the Dodge Caravan, the trailer does not continue rolling. This is why having independent brakes are important to engage the brakes of the trailer when those of the minivan is engaged.
- Do not overload the trailer. By overloading the trailer, you risk damaging the trailer and the minivan. This can cause loss of control While driving as too much load can cause parts of the trailer or the minivan to come apart in transit.
The Dodge Caravan’s towing capacity is incredible and can tow a travel trailer effectively. If you’re in the market for a minivan that doubles as a towing vehicle, the Dodge Caravan has all you need.
Conclusion
After everything about the Dodge Caravan’s towing capacity has been said, the most important cargo is inside the van. This is why safety is an important aspect when discussing the Dodge Caravan’s towing capacity and any vehicle in general.
With some towing vehicles, navigating on murky or icy terrains are cause for worry, but with Dodge Caravan, you’re behind the wheels of a vehicle that maximizes all-speed traction. This is made possible by the trailer sway bar control system that increases stability while hauling heavy trailers and loads.
So, if you’re on the lookout for efficiency and value in a towing vehicle, the Dodge Caravan has everything you need.