factory towing package vs. 3rd party equipment?

[LeonardS]

Yeah, you might get a custom bumper with the tow package, to integrate with the hitch. Another reason to go factory installed. Beats someone trying to trim plastic, or mounting the hitch lower to clear the existing bumper trim.

[Elly G]

Good point. It's getting harder and harder to custom cars/vans.

[Elly G]

Originally Posted by Joe MacDonald

From the chrysler web page:
Class II Receiver Hitch
Load Leveling & Height Control
Trailer Tow Wiring Harness

Doesn't mention tranny or steering cooler, My Lumina did get those with the factory pkge, you might have to delve deeper into the website to get that info

Thanks Joe. I'm really leaning to going factory installed towing package. Seems to be priced right, covers any warranty issues, no cobbling retrofitting equipment, and if it needs servicing theoretically any dealer could do it.

I have also heard that it may jack up my insurance premium -- but we'll see.

I had a Lumina and loved it! Traded in with 150K miles on it. My kids called it The Mothership!

[monB]

Go for the factory install because then you are covered for transmission repairs.

I might say, my transmission had to be replaced at 47,000 miles, 8 months after I bought the van and **BEFORE** the van had anything installed for towing. It must have had a VERY rough life in the 20 months it was with its prior owner!

Mon

[Paul O.]

Ahh, those backroads of Utah, they are something. Your post #16 reminded me of our drive up the Shafer Trail in the Canyonlands NP. I wasn't towing anything then, and I do not think I would tow anything up or down that road now. We had a rented Jeep and we were exploring. Shafer Trail used to be a seasonal cow path that was made into a road in the 1950's in order to move uranium ore out of the valley by trucks. Neither I nor my wife will ever forget that drive!

[DaMScampers]

Factory tow package is not only my vote, but it seems to be the overall winner of all respondents. You asked a good question. You are getting clear feedback. I'd call that success!

[Elly G]

Yes! Success. I have a clear plan. Can't wait to hit the road!

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Fiberglass RV mobile app

[MC1]

Originally Posted by steve dunham

Many of the better tow packages (IMHO) contain a larger radiator

So true Steve and I have found that out from my own experience.

Our 1993 Nissan Mini van GXE model came with a factory tow pkg. It had a huge 4 core rad. Worked fine for the 14 years we drove the van.

We then replaced the van with the 2003 G35 sedan. No tow pkg was available.
It is interesting to note that both vehicles towed our TT many years with no cooling issues.