Towable with my minivan?

[lk123]

Hello everyone,

I have a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan and I want to tow a 16' scamp that weighs 2000 pounds dry. The Caravan has a max gtw. of 3250 pounds. Thoughts?

[honda03842]

I'll be towing our Scamp 16 with a Honda Odyssey, a similar tow vehicle. I had a transmission cooler added. Our Scamp weighs about 2500 lbs laded for extended travel.

[lk123]

Did you have a brake controller installed? What is the odyssey's gtw?

[honda03842]

Luks,

I'm taking the brake controller from our Honda CRV, a Tekonsha Prodigy 2. The Odyssey, like many of the more recent mini vans, is rated for 3500 lbs and 350 tongue weight.

Many people use them for towing fair sized Airstreams. It has Honda's V-6 with plenty of horsepower and torque. The more recent Odysseys are 6 speeds with a manual cutout switch reducing it to 4 speed on hills. Honda requires the addition of their optional transmission cooler. it's pretty large.

We previously towed with a 4 cylinder, manual transmission 2004 Honda CRV, sold it after 10 years and 225,000 miles.

I recall that Can-AM RV has used Grand Caravans to tow Airstreams.

[lk123]

Have you gone on any trips yet with the odyssey?

[honda03842]

I just picked up Saturday but typically tow 240 days a year. I have no doubts about it's ability. If you like I can find some links about it for you.

[honda03842]

Luke, If your read thru this thread you'll see at least one person who tows with an Odyssey.

http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...sey-65482.html

[honda03842]

Luke, You might find the following link interesting, Dan-AM talks about towing with mini-vans

Can-Am RV :: HH 38-1

Andy Thompson of Can-am RV has additional comments about towing with Odyssey like vehicles on the web, at the Can-AM site and in the Airstream forum.

[lk123]

Thanks I will check it out!

[Mike Magee]

Luke, go for it. Your van should be plenty capable. Keep the hitch weight under 350 lb. You can probably weigh the trailer tongue with a bathroom scale before you set out.

[lk123]

Will do! Does anyone else have experience towing with a minivan?

[Tom Trostel]

I tow a 17' Bigfoot with a 2006 Toyota Sienna. I've added a Prodigy brake controller, Derale series 8000 transmission cooler, Airlift 1000 rear spring helper air bags, McKesh towing mirrors, and Draw-Tite single bar weight distributing hitch. The trailer weighs 2500-2600 lbs. ready to travel and has a hitch weight of 340 lbs. The WDH is due to the hitch weight being so close to the max 350 lbs. The mirrors are due to the Bigfoot being 8' wide. We have towed several long trips from home in Texas to Dayton, OH; Durango, CO; and Orlando, FL. Power, control, and stopping are never a problem. Gas mileage averages 12 mpg at 60 mph (the trailer is a big square box). We love the Bigfoot and the Sienna.

Lake Bardwell, TX Photo by tomNjo | Photobucket

[Roger C H]

Luke, welcome to FGRV!

You should be fine. We towed Homelet 1840# for 5 years with a 2000# rated 2000 Subaru Outback.

We now have a 2014 Subaru Outback with a 2700# rating. It doesn't seem to be all that much better...

[MC1]

Originally Posted by lk123

Will do! Does anyone else have experience towing with a minivan?

Good day Luke. We have owned 3 Mini Vans in the last 20 years. I have nothing but good things to say about them especially when used as a TV.

In these parts it is common to see Mini Vans towing dual axle travel trailer. Our local RV Dealer "Rustins" had a demo combo set up. It was a Ford Freestar with a WDH towing a good sized TrailLite. As Norm pointed out we also have a towing specialist in Ontario who has set up a 1,000 or so M-Vans for towing.

Generally speaking they seem to stand up well. Work great for so many folks.

Based on what we have seen and my experience towing your small lightweight is a fair and reasonable proposal. Setting it up correctly is important.

I have a lot of info on this subject. Ask away if you want or need anymore info.

We towed with a Nissan for many years.... http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/CF105/airr.jpg

[honda03842]

Wayne, What are some of the basics for seting up a mini-van for towing?

From a new minivan tower.....

[MC1]

IMHO....

We see lots of M-vans towing various types of trailers Norm. They seem to require the same details to set up as any other vehicle but one thing that stands out is the rear sag issue. Many are sitting too low in the rear especially if they are not using a WDH.

In the pic below note the blue Chevy Astro towing the pop up. Rear end sag is noticeable and can affect handling and stability.

Getting a pro or someone who knows what they are doing is a good way to get any vehicle set up correctly for towing.

[honda03842]

I tested the Odyssey for rear end sag (I suppose spring rate) by setting on the rear bumper. I am nearly egual to our tongue weight and it sagged almost an inch. When we actually hitch up, probably later today I'll take a true measurement.

I don't imagine any secondary measures will be required with our relatively light weight trailer.

Do you inflate your tires beyond the standard recommended pressure? I used to significantly increase the CRV's tire pressure.

[Bob Miller]

Originally Posted by MC1

IMHO....

We see lots of M-vans towing various types of trailers Norm. They seem to require the same details to set up as any other vehicle but one thing that stands out is the rear sag issue. Many are sitting too low in the rear especially if they are not using a WDH.

In the pic below note the Chevy Astro towing the pop up. Rear end sag is noticeable and can affect handling and stability.

Getting a pro or someone who knows what they are doing is a good way to get any vehicle set up correctly for towing.

That is the strangest looking Chevy Astro/pop-up combo I have every seen. I guess that they make different models in the northern venues.

[Mike Magee]

My Highlander call for 30 psi. I routinely keep the tires between 35 and 38 psi for towing. The tire's max is 44, IIRC.

[honda03842]

Thanks Mike.

I used to keep the CRV's at 36 front and 39 rear, the manual called for 26.