towing capacity DODGE CARAVAN 2007 4.G Owners Manual

This placard tells you important information about
the:
1) number of people that can be carried in the vehicle
2) the total weight your vehicle can carry
3) the tire size designed for your vehicle
4) the cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear,
and spare tires.
Loading
The vehicle maximum load on the tire must not exceed
the load carrying capacity of the tire on your vehicle. You
will not exceed the tire’s load carrying capacity if you
adhere to the loading conditions, tire size, and cold tire
inflation pressures specified on the “Tire and Loading
Information” placard and in the “Vehicle Loading” sec-
tion of this manual.
NOTE: Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition,
gross axle weight ratings (GAWR’s) for the front and rear axles must not be exceeded. For further information on
GAWR’s, vehicle loading, and trailer towing, refer to the
“Vehicle Loading” section of this manual.
To determine the maximum loading conditions of your
vehicle, locate the statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX
lbs.” on the Tire and Loading Information placard. The
combined weight of occupants, cargo/luggage and
trailer tongue weight (if applicable) should never exceed
the weight referenced here.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo should never exceed XXX pounds” on
your vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
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5

3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and pas-
sengers from XXX kilograms or XXX pounds.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if “XXX”
amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb.
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo
and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (sinc e 5 x 150 = 750,
and 1400 – 750 = 650 lbs.)
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo
being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your
trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
NOTE:
The following table shows examples on how to
calculate total load, cargo/luggage, and towing capaci-
ties of your vehicle with varying seating configurations
and number and size of occupants. This table is for
illustration purposes only and may not be accurate for
the seating and load carry capacity of your vehicle.
NOTE: For the following example, the combined weight
of occupants and cargo should never exceed 865 lbs. (392
kg).
334 STARTING AND OPERATING

To maintain warranty coverage, follow the requirements
and recommendations in this manual concerning ve-
hicles used for trailer towing.
Common Towing Definitions
The following trailer towing related definitions will assist
you in understanding the following information:
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
The GVWR is the total allowable weight of your vehicle.
This includes driver, passengers, cargo and tongue
weight. The total load must be limited so that you do not
exceed the GVWR.
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW)
The gross trailer weight (GTW) is the weight of the trailer
plus the weight of all cargo, consumables and equipment
(permanent or temporary) loaded in or on the trailer in its  loaded and ready for operation
condition. The recom-
mended way to measure GTW is to put your fully loaded
trailer on a vehicle scale. The entire weight of the trailer
must be supported by the scale.
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR)
The gross combination weight rating (GCWR) is the total
permissible weight of your vehicle and trailer when
weighed in combination. (Note that GCWR ratings in-
clude a 68 kg (150 lbs) allowance for the presence of a
driver).
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
The GAWR is the maximum capacity of the front and rear
axles. Distribute the load over the front and rear axles
evenly. Make sure that you do not exceed either front or
rear GAWR.
368 STARTING AND OPERATING

Tires–General Information section of this manual on
Tire Pressures for proper tire inflation procedures.
Also, check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation
pressures before trailer usage.
Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage
before towing a trailer. Refer to the Tires–General
Information section of this manual on Tread Wear
Indicators for the proper inspection procedure.
When replacing tires refer to the Tires–General Infor-
mation section of this manual on Replacement Tires for
proper tire replacement procedures. Replacing tires
with a higher load carrying capacity will not increase
the vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR limits.
Towing Requirements — Trailer Brakes

Do not interconnect the hydraulic brake system or
vacuum system of your vehicle with that of the trailer.
This could cause inadequate braking and possible
personal injury.
An electronically actuated trailer brake controller is
required when towing a trailer with electronically
actuated brakes. When towing a trailer equipped with
a hydraulic surge actuated brake system, an electronic
brake controller is not required.
Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over 1,000
lbs (454 kg) and required for trailers in excess of 2,000
lbs (907 kg).
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CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (454 kg)
loaded, it should have its own brakes and they
should be of adequate capacity. Failure to do this
could lead to accelerated brake lining wear, higher
brake pedal effort, and longer stopping distances.
WARNING!
Do not connect trailer brakes to your vehicle’s hy-
draulic brake lines. It can overload your brake sys-
tem and cause it to fail. You might not have brakes
when you need them and could have an accident.
Towing any trailer will increase your stopping dis-
tance. When towing you should allow for additional
space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front
of you. Failure to do so could result in an accident.
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5

Compass Variance....................... 170
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 171
Console, Overhead ....................... 167
Console, Removable ................... 193,194
Contract, Service ........................ 488
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .......... 436
Cooling System ......................... 434
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .............. 436
Coolant Capacity ...................... 461
Coolant Level ...................... 434,437
Disposal of Used Coolant ................ 437
Drain, Flush, and Refill .................. 435
Inspection ........................... 437
Points to Remember .................... 438
Pressure Cap ......................... 436
Radiator Cap ......................... 436
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ......435,461,462
Cruise Control (Speed Control) .............. 164
Cruise Light ........................... 219 Cup Holder
......................... 187,450
Customer Assistance ..................... 486
Data Recorder, Event ...................... 73
Daytime Running Lights ................... 153
Dealer Service .......................... 419
Defroster, Rear Window ................... 304
Defroster, Windshield ................90,283,295
Diagnostic System, Onboard ................ 416
Digital Video Disc (DVD) Player ............. 259
Dimmer Control ........................ 152
Dipsticks Automatic Transmission ................. 444
Oil (Engine) .......................... 420
Disabled Vehicle Towing ................... 408
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ............... 437
Engine Oil ........................... 423
Domelight ............................. 152
INDEX 499
10

Load Capacity..................... 332,333
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ........... 347
Quality Grading ....................... 491
Radial .............................. 339
Replacement ......................... 343
Rotation ............................. 346
Safety ........................... 327,336
Sizes ............................... 328
Snow Tires ........................... 346
Spare Tire ......................... 389,400
Spinning ............................ 341
Tread Wear Indicators ................... 342
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .............. 374
Towing ............................... 367
Disabled Vehicle ....................... 408
Guide .............................. 372
Recreational ....................... 382,410
Weight .............................. 372
Traction Control ................... 158,218,324 Traction Control Switch
.................158,324
Trailer Towing .......................... 367
Cooling System Tips .................... 382
Hitches ............................. 371
Minimum Requirements ................. 376
Trailer and Tongue Weight ................ 374
Wiring .............................. 380
Trailer Towing Guide ..................... 372
Trailer Weight .......................... 372
Transaxle ............................. 315
Automatic ......................... 12,315
Operation ........................... 315
Overdrive ........................... 318
Selection of Lubricant ................443,463
Transmission ........................... 442
Automatic ........................... 442
Filter ............................... 445
Fluid ............................ 443,463
512 INDEX