grand caravan - Event Date: 06 Feb 2017 - 02 Dec 2017

ok Thanks again

You just put it in drive and go.Sounds like the 2013 caravan might shift into 6th gear or overdrive when cruising at 1500-1800 rpm. 

When you say yours does the same, are you referring to the 1 1/4 lowering of the caravan back bumper?

 

Leo , wonder if you would be so kind as to express your learned opinion as a grand caravan podder to a few questions. I bought a 178 rpod and towing with a 2016 dodge caravan 283 hp.

Is it best to tow in the 'manual shift" mode or fully automatic?

It runs in 5th gear at about 2000 rpm on more or less flat highway at 55 - 60 mph.. I can not get the trans to shift to 6th while towing.  Is this ok? Is this to be expected?

Back of van pitches down about 1 1/4 inch with trailer attached. I do not have the tow package. I use a 4" rise ball mount which rides the trailer near level and very slightly pitched down at the tongue. Is this ok?

I feel and see a little trailer sway when trucks pass, do you get that too? (I have no sway control or WD).

When you are towing the 179 in mountains how fast do you go , in what gear? at what rpm?

Thanks a ton

thank you for the info

Originally posted by malkbean2 thank you so much for your very reassuring response !! Is it necessary to add after market cooling to the engine or trans or reinforced suspension? (I did not purchase a tow package from the dealer which appears to consist of only the hitch assembly, lighting and trailer brake equipment.  Installed after market hitch instead. The dealer says the Caravans come with extra trans and engine cooling as standard equipment.) I plan to purchase a 177 at Couches in Indiana. Do you know if this is a good dealer? Do you know if there is a good time of the year to purchase when prices trend lower? 2016 Grand Caravan 283 hp

A "factory tow package" is different from "dealer supplied towing equipment".. good choice to buy aftermarket, I am sure it's less expensive for the same gear. If you have upgraded cooling for engine and transmission, that is usually the most important part of a tow package. they also usually include either a 4 pin or 7-way trailer connector. You will need a 7way installed.

Couches is one of the largest dealers of FR RV's in general, and the largest seller of pods. At one point the factory told me Jeff Couch accounted for almost 25% of all Goshen factory R-Pod orders.

Couches prices are steady year 'round, doing the volume they do, they discount consistently.

Understand, if you buy from Couches, if you live near them, no problem. If you live near another dealer, and have warranty issues, they (local dealer) most probably WILL NOT work on your pod, but tell you to have the selling dealer handle it.