Towing an R-Pod with a Dodge Caravan advice
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Topic: Towing an R-Pod with a Dodge Caravan advice
Posted By: Pod Dragaon
Subject: Towing an R-Pod with a Dodge Caravan advice
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2020 at 8:15am
We just bought a new 2018 180, the TV is a 2016 Caravan with a WD hitch and Primus brake controller. Has anyone here had or have a similar setup? I would love to hear how it went over various terrains etc. ------------- Richard & Celine Nova Scotia, Canada 2018 R-Pod 180 2016 Dodge Caravan Crew Leave nothing except footprints and memories |
Replies:
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2020 at 9:28am
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A quick glance on the internet shows the Caravan as having a 3600 lb towing limit. That is too low in practice for a rp 180, because that limit assumes there is nothing in the Caravan. Weigh the trailer and also the Caravan as you actually want to travel. Check the tongue weight limit against the actual tongue weight of the trailer, you are likely to be over on that. Also check the max combined gross vehicle weight limit against the actual total weight of your rig, passengers, and contents. Also, I think the Caravan is front wheel drive which is not great for towing. The wdh will help you get some load and traction back on the front wheels but it won't do well on slippery surfaces. You really want RWD or AWD for towing. You can probably do it if you drive cautiously, pack very sparingly in both the Caravan and the trailer, and stay off steep and wind roads as much as possible, but it won't be a comfortable experience.
------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2020 at 11:23am
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Add to that, stay off dirt/gravel roads. Even with a WDH, it is likely you won't have as much traction as without the trailer. If you have to stop on a hill, that would make it very difficult to get moving again.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Pod Dragaon
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2020 at 11:29am
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Food for thought, thanks guys. Looks like i'll be looking for a new TV after this summer. Unfortunately the van will have to do for now, I will take your warnings into strong considerations. I still would like to hear from anyone who has a similar setup with a caravan. ------------- Richard & Celine Nova Scotia, Canada 2018 R-Pod 180 2016 Dodge Caravan Crew Leave nothing except footprints and memories |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2020 at 11:40am
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If it offers any comfort, I used to tow with a Ford Escape (2L Ecoboost engine) which was FWD and had a 3500 lb tow rating. We towed our 179 quite a bit with it until we hit ice with a crosswind and had an accident. Now we tow with a Frontier with a 6100 lb tow rating. This is to say that you can tow with your Caravan. Just be aware of the limitations.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: crw8sr
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2020 at 4:49pm
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Safety first. This isn't safe for you, your passengers and other drivers. ------------- Chuck & Lyn Izzy, Morkie. RIP Zoe Joy & Gracie, Yorkie 2018 R Pod 190 2019 Traverse In moments of adversity;when life's a total wreck, I think of those worse off than me and really feel like heck. |
Posted By: Capt Kidd
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2020 at 6:02pm
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------------- The Pirate's Pod |
Posted By: Capt Kidd
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2020 at 6:04pm
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I would look into upgrading to a Durango that is what I use to tow my 196. There Durango has a V6 which is plenty of power. ------------- The Pirate's Pod |
Posted By: podwerkz
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2020 at 6:07pm
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The salesman who allowed this to happen should be shot. ------------- r･pod 171 gone but not forgotten! |
Posted By: RoverPod
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2020 at 9:27pm
Advocating for violence certainly seems out of line.
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Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2020 at 10:53pm
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+1 to RoverPod. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2020 at 8:17am
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Podwerks is a Texan after all, you have to consider that shooting someone for a minor infraction is just a figure of speech in some parts of the country. The point is that the salesperson was negligent if he knowingly sold that trailer for use with that TV. I certainly wouldn't shoot him but I would advocate that he be prosecuted for negligent homicide if the worst were to happen. The question would be whether the salesman's act constitutes ordinary negligence or rises to the level of gross negligence. One can argue that it is possible to load that trailer and TV and be within specs while towing, but in practice anyone in the business should know that it's not practical. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2020 at 8:31am
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I am happy to say that when we replaced our Dakota, the sales person at the Ford dealership made a point of asking about the weight we proposed to tow and make it clear that he would not participate in a sale of a truck that could not handle the trailer weight. We don't know the circumstances of the sale were, but if the sales person knew that TV would be inadequate, he certainly should have cautioned against it. Maybe s/he did. And yes, saying that someone should be taken out and shot is a figure of speech that one does not take literally. I've used it many times myself. But under the present circumstances, perhaps, it is a metaphor that might be best left for another time. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |