Towing with '99 T&C 3.8L AWD ?

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Brigitte - 11 Apr 2005 14:36 GMT

I'll be purchasing a camping trailer, and I'm not sure if I should tow it
with the above-mentioned vehicle.

Anyone have any experience towing with a like-equipped van? Please share
with me your experiences. How much weight can this vehicle tow?

I'm not sure this vehicle has the tow package or not. I purchased the
vehicle used and don't have an owner's manual. With a visual inspection,
how can I tell if it is included on the vehicle? There is a hitch, but not
sure it's original.

Any comments/advice are greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Brigitte

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Mike Behnke - 11 Apr 2005 14:47 GMT

Your owners manual will state how much you can tow and the max tongue
weight allowable.

Advisable to install an additional trans cooler to keep the trans fluid
cool.

> I'll be purchasing a camping trailer, and I'm not sure if I should tow it
> with the above-mentioned vehicle.
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> Thanks,
> Brigitte

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Brigitte - 11 Apr 2005 16:59 GMT

> > I'll be purchasing a camping trailer, and I'm not sure if I should tow it
> > with the above-mentioned vehicle.
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> > Thanks,
> > Brigitte

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Brigitte - 11 Apr 2005 17:01 GMT

> I'm not sure this vehicle has the tow package or not. I purchased the
> vehicle used and don't have an owner's manual. With a visual inspection,
> how can I tell if it is included on the vehicle? There is a hitch, but not
> sure it's original.

The vehicle is labeled "LXi". Would that tell me whether it came originally
equipped with the tow package?

Thanks again,
Brigitte

> Any comments/advice are greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Brigitte

It's an LXi, if that

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Mike Behnke - 11 Apr 2005 20:39 GMT

Missed the part where you indicated you didn't have the OM.

Take the VIN in to a local Chrysler dealer and ask if they'll run a
report on how the vehicle was built new. Should give an indication as
to the options selected.

>>I'm not sure this vehicle has the tow package or not. I purchased the
>>vehicle used and don't have an owner's manual. With a visual inspection,
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>
> It's an LXi, if that

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PT_Sean - 14 Apr 2005 02:35 GMT

I have an 02 AWD. According to the VIN, and DCX h.q., it did NOT come with
the tow package. My neighbour however, DID order the tow package, $600 I
think, it listed the tranny oil cooler, full spare, Heavy Duty flasher. I
pulled the fan cowl open, and saw that I have the SAME tranny oil cooler
that he has- same part #.

I concluded after MUCH debate, that the AWD did come with the tranny oil
cooler. combined with the full spare, levelling shocks, I determine that my
GCWR is about 8500 pounds (van + luggage + trailer).

I have added an electric brake and class 2 hitch (3500 pound).

P.S. tonguw weight is determined mostly by the hitch. The GAWR (gross axle
weight rating) also determines the tongue weight but make sure the hitch can
handle the weight first.

Here are some pics of the oil cooler that I am talking about, as well, some
documentation regarding tow capacities...

(scroll down 2/3rd the way:
http://members5.clubphoto.com/sean336792/1240248/owner-5f8d.phtml)

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Brigitte - 21 Apr 2005 15:55 GMT

> I have an 02 AWD. According to the VIN, and DCX h.q., it did NOT come with
> the tow package. My neighbour however, DID order the tow package, $600 I
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> (scroll down 2/3rd the way:
> http://members5.clubphoto.com/sean336792/1240248/owner-5f8d.phtml)

Thank you very much for your informative response to my question. I
appreciate your pictures too. I hope they help me to determine whether my
van has the tow package or not.

I'm going to look under the hood of my van today. Hopefully I'll see the
same thing you saw under yours.

I called the dealer yesterday and had them run the VIN number. They said
that the information on the computer says that I don't have the tow package.

I found an owner's manual for my van on ebay. I'm not sure I understand
what it says about towing capacities, though.

It basically says the same thing as the charts you have shown on your
website.

Assuming I have the tow package, and 3.8L engine with AWD, I have a GCWR of
8,600#. What does that number represent, exactly? I assume it means that
the combined weight of the van, its contents, and the trailer and it's
contents cannot exceed 8, 600 pounds. Is this accurate? If so, how do I
know the weight of my van, before loading it. Is that information in/on my
van somewhere?

Thank you,
Brigitte J.

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PT_Sean - 22 Apr 2005 04:58 GMT

> Assuming I have the tow package, and 3.8L engine with AWD, I have a GCWR
> of
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> Thank you,
> Brigitte J.

I checked my VIN with DC as well, they said NO to my towing package,
however, I have EVERYTHING that makes one up- full spare, 160A alternator,
h.d. tranny oil cooler, ... Hmmm

The GCWR is indeed the combination of EVERYTHING! Do NOT go over that- it
protects the engine, drivetrain and suspension!!

I stopped at a truck scale (it was closed) on a highway once and weighed the
van. With 2 young girls, wife, full tank o gas, and german sheppard dog,
the van weighed 2330 kgs, about 5000 pounds. This is probably off by 10%-
those scales are built for 50,000 pounds, not feather weights like me. 5000
is a good start.

One time, with my Coleman Sun Valley, fully loaded for a weekend away, I
stopped at another scale that measures at each axle- F: 1180 kgs (2600 lbs),
R: 1410 kgs (3100 lbs), trailer at the trailer wheels: 1270 kgs (2800 lbs).
Total would be 8500 pounds (plus/minus the scale error)!!!!!!! Yikes. I
drove slow.

Curb weight- According to another chart that I have, the curb weight for an
02 GC, AWD, is 4506 pounds. Non AWD reduces the weight 300 pounds (drive
shaft).

Good luck...

Here is another place to ask your weight q's... www.popupexplorer.com

Sean

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