towing capacity DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 2006 Owners Manual

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.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and pas-
sengers from XXX kilograms or XXX pounds. STARTING AND OPERATING 325
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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 lb. (since 5 x 150 = 750,
and 1400 – 750 = 650 lb.)
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 capacities
of your vehicle with varying seating configurations and
number and size of occupants. This table is for illustra-
tion 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).326 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 150 lbs (68 kg) 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. STARTING AND OPERATING 351
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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).
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.360 STARTING AND OPERATING

Compass Variance ....................... 160
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 162
Console, Overhead ....................... 158
Console, Removable ................... 184,185
Contract, Service ........................ 476
Coolant Pressure Cap ..................... 418
Cooling System ......................... 416
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .............. 418
Coolant Capacity ...................... 443
Coolant Level ...................... 416,419
Disposal of Used Coolant ................ 419
Drain, Flush, and Refill .................. 417
Inspection ........................... 419
Points to Remember .................... 420
Pressure Cap ......................... 418
Radiator Cap ......................... 418
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ...... 417,443,444
Cruise Control (Speed Control) .............. 155
Cruise Light ........................... 211 Cup Holder ......................... 177,432
Customer Assistance ..................... 474
Daytime Running Lights ................... 145
Dealer Service .......................... 400
Defroster, Rear Window ................... 300
Defroster, Windshield ................ 84,279,290
Diagnostic System, Onboard ................ 398
Dimmer Control ........................ 144
Dipsticks
Automatic Transmission ................. 426
Oil (Engine) .......................... 401
Disabled Vehicle Towing ................... 391
Disarming, Theft System ................... 27
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ............... 419
Engine Oil ........................... 405
Domelight ............................. 144
Door Ajar Light ......................... 205 INDEX 485
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Theft System (Security Alarm) ............... 26
Tilt Steering Column ..................... 150
Tire and Loading Information Placard ......... 324
Tire Identification Number (TIN) ............. 323
Tire Markings .......................... 320
Tire Safety Information .................... 320
Tires ............................ 84,328,479
Aging (Life of Tires) .................... 335
Air Pressure .......................... 328
Alignment ........................... 336
Chains .............................. 339
Changing ............................ 368
Compact Spare ........................ 332
Flat Changing ........................ 377
General Information .................... 328
High Speed .......................... 330
Inflation Pressures ..................... 329
Jacking ........................ 368,369,381
Life of Tires .......................... 335 Load Capacity ..................... 324,325
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ........... 337
Quality Grading ....................... 479
Radial .............................. 331
Replacement ......................... 335
Rotation ............................. 341
Safety ........................... 320,328
Sizes ............................... 321
Snow Tires ........................... 340
Spare Tire ......................... 371,382
Spinning ............................ 333
Tread Wear Indicators ................... 334
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .............. 356
Towing ............................... 350
Disabled Vehicle ....................... 391
Guide .............................. 353
Recreational ....................... 363,392
Weight .............................. 353
Traction Control ................... 150,210,318 INDEX 497
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