DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 2007 Owners Manual

Trailer Hitch Classification
Your vehicle may be factory equipped for safe towing of
trailers weighing over 2,000 lbs (907 kg) with the optional
Trailer Tow Prep Package. See your dealer for package
content.
The following chart provides the industry standard for
the maximum trailer weight a given trailer hitch class can
tow and should be used to assist you in selecting the
correct trailer hitch for your intended towing condition.
Refer to the Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings) chart for the Max. GTW towable for your
given drivetrain.
Trailer Hitch Classification
Class Max. GTW (Gross Trailer
Wt.)
Class I - Light Duty 2,000 lbs (907 kg)
Class II - Medium
Duty 3,500 lbs (1 587 kg)Improper Adjustment of Weight Distributing System STARTING AND OPERATING 371
5

Trailer Hitch Classification
Class III - Heavy Duty 5,000 lbs (2 268 kg)
Class IV - Extra
Heavy Duty 10,000 lbs (4 540 kg)
All trailer hitches should be professionally installed on
your vehicle. Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight
Ratings)
The following chart provides the maximum trailer
weight ratings towable for your given drivetrain.
Engine/Transmission GCWR (Gross Com-
bined Wt. Rating) Frontal Area Max. GTW (Gross
Trailer Wt.) Max. Tongue Wt.
2.4L Automatic 5,200 lbs (2358 kg) 40 SQ. FT. (3.72
square meters) Up to 2 persons &
Luggage 850 lbs (385
kg) 85 lbs (39 kg)
5,200 lbs (2358 kg) 40 SQ. FT. (3.72
square meters) 3 to 5 persons &
Luggage 400 lbs (181
kg) 40 lbs (18 kg)
5,200 lbs (2358 kg) 40 SQ. FT. (3.72
square meters) 6 to 7 persons &
Luggage Not Recom-
mended N/A372 STARTING AND OPERATING

Engine/Transmission GCWR (Gross Com-
bined Wt. Rating) Frontal Area Max. GTW (Gross
Trailer Wt.) Max. Tongue Wt.
3.3L & 3.8L Auto-
matic 6,600 lbs (2993 kg) 40 SQ. FT. (3.72
square meters) Up to 2 persons &
Luggage 1,800 lbs
(816 kg) 180 lbs (82 kg)
6,600 lbs (2993 kg) 40 SQ. FT. (3.72
square meters) 3 to 5 persons &
Luggage 1,350 lbs
(612 kg) 135 lbs (61 kg)
6,600 lbs (2993 kg) 40 SQ. FT. (3.72
square meters) 6 to 7 persons &
Luggage 1,000 lbs
(454 kg) 100 lbs (45 kg) STARTING AND OPERATING 373
5

Engine/Transmission GCWR (Gross Com-
bined Wt. Rating) Frontal Area Max. GTW (Gross
Trailer Wt.) Max. Tongue Wt.
3.3L & 3.8L Auto-
matic with trailer
tow package 8,600 lbs (3900 kg) 40 SQ. FT. (3.72
square meters) Up to 2 persons &
Luggage 3,800 lbs
(1723 kg)* 380 lbs (172 kg)
8,600 lbs (3900 kg) 40 SQ. FT. (3.72
square meters) 3 to 5 persons &
Luggage 3,350 lbs
(1519 kg)* 335 lbs (152 kg)
8,600 lbs (3900 kg) 40 SQ. FT. (3.72
square meters) 6 to 7 persons &
Luggage 3,000 lbs
(1360 kg)* 300 lbs (136 kg)
* For vehicles equipped with Fold-in-Floor seating, the Gross Trailer Weight must be reduced by 100 lbs (45 kg).
Refer to local laws for maximum trailer towing speeds.
NOTE: The trailer tongue weight must be considered as
part of the combined weight of occupants and cargo, and
should never exceed the weight referenced on the Tire
and Loading Information placard. Refer to the Tire–
Safety Information Section in this manual. Trailer and Tongue Weight
Always load a trailer with 60% to 65% of the weight in
the front of the trailer. This places 10% to 15% of the
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) on the tow hitch of your
vehicle. Loads balanced over the wheels or heavier in the
rear can cause the trailer to sway severely side to side374 STARTING AND OPERATING

which will cause loss of control of the vehicle and trailer.
Failure to load trailers heavier in front is the cause of
many trailer accidents.
Never exceed the maximum tongue weight stamped on
your bumper or trailer hitch. Consider the following items when computing the
weight on the rear axle of the vehicle:

Towing Requirements
To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle driv-
etrain components the following guidelines are recom-
mended:
CAUTION!

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).378 STARTING AND OPERATING

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. STARTING AND OPERATING 379
5

Towing Requirements — Trailer Lights & Wiring
Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer size,
stop lights and turn signals on the trailer are required for
motoring safety.
The Trailer Tow Package may includ ea4and7pin
wiring harness. Use a factory approved trailer harness
and connector.
NOTE: Do not cut or splice wiring into the vehicles
wiring harness.
The electrical connections are all complete to the vehicle
but you must mate the harness to a trailer connector.
Refer to the following illustrations. 4 - Pin Connector380 STARTING AND OPERATING