towing capacity DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 2012 5.G Owners Manual

This placard tells you important information about
the:
1) number of people that can be carried in the vehicle
2) total weight your vehicle can carry
3) tire size designed for your vehicle
4) 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” section
of this manual.
NOTE:Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition,
gross axle weight ratings (GAWRs) for the front and rear axles must not be exceeded. For further information on
GAWRs, vehicle loading, and trailer towing, refer to
“Vehicle Loading” in this section.
To determine the maximum loading conditions of your
vehicle, locate the statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX lbs or
XXX kg” 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 lbs or XXX kg”
on your vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
458 STARTING AND OPERATING

3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and pas-
sengers from XXX lbs or XXX kg.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if “XXX”
amount equals 1,400 lbs (635 kg) and there will be five
150 lb (68 kg) passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs
(295 kg) (since 5 x 150 = 750, and 1400 – 750 = 650 lbs
[295 kg]).
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 calcu-
late total load, cargo/luggage, and towing capacities
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.
•For the following example, the combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed 865 lbs
(392 kg).
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 459

Towing Requirements – Tires
•
Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
•Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe
and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to
“Tires – General Information” in “Starting and Oper-
ating” for proper tire inflation procedures.
•Check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation pres-
sures before trailer usage.
•Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage
before towing a trailer. Refer to “Tires – General
Information” in “Starting and Operating” for the
proper inspection procedure.
•When replacing tires, refer to “Tires – General Infor-
mation” in “Starting and Operating” for proper tirereplacement 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).
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 505

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
hydraulic brake lines. It can overload your brake
system and cause it to fail. You might not have
brakes when you need them and could have a
collision.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Towing any trailer will increase your stopping
distance. When towing you should allow for addi-
tional space between your vehicle and the vehicle
in front of you. Failure to do so could result in an
collision.
Towing Requirements – Trailer Lights And 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 include a four-pin or a
seven-pin wiring harness. Use a factory approved trailer
harness and connector.
NOTE:Do not cut or splice wiring into the vehicles
wiring harness.
506 STARTING AND OPERATING

ConnectorUCI .............................. 346
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) ....... 346
Conserving Fuel ........................ 310
Console .............................. 261
Console, Floor .......................... 261
Console, Overhead ....................... 227
Console, Removable ...................... 265
Contract, Service ........................ 613
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .......... 565
Cooling System ......................... 562
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ............. 564
Coolant Capacity ..................... 589
Coolant Level .................... 562,565
Disposal of Used Coolant ............... 565
Drain, Flush, and Refill ................ 563
Inspection .......................... 565
Points to Remember .................. 566 Pressure Cap
........................ 565
Radiator Cap ....................... 565
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ....563,589,590
Cupholders ......................... 250,577
Customer Assistance ..................... 611
Data Recorder, Event ...................... 84
Daytime Running Lights ................... 200
Dealer Service .......................... 549
Defroster, Rear Window ................... 269
Defroster, Windshield .................. 101,406
Diagnostic System, Onboard ................ 546
Dimmer Control ........................ 201
Dipsticks Automatic Transmission ................ 571
Oil (Engine) ........................ 550
Power Steering ...................... 438
Disabled Vehicle Towing ................... 539
10
INDEX 623

Text Messaging......................... 147
Tilt Steering Column ..................... 208
Tire and Loading Information Placard ......... 457
Tire Identification Number (TIN) ............. 455
Tire Markings .......................... 452
Tire Safety Information .................... 452
Tires ........................... 103,461,617
Aging (Life of Tires) .................. 468
Air Pressure ........................ 461
Chains ............................ 470
Changing .......................... 514
Compact Spare ...................... 465
General Information .................. 461
High Speed ......................... 463
Inflation Pressures .................... 462
Jacking ......................... 514,523
Life of Tires ........................ 468
Load Capacity .................... 457,458
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ......... 473Pressure Warning Light
................ 289
Quality Grading ..................... 617
Radial ............................ 464
Replacement ........................ 469
Rotation ........................... 472
Safety .......................... 452,461
Sizes ............................. 453
Snow Tires ......................... 472
Spare Tire .......................... 516
Spinning ........................... 467
Tread Wear Indicators ................. 468
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .............. 502
Towing ............................... 495
24-Hour Towing Assistance ............. 139
Disabled Vehicle ..................... 539
Guide ............................. 501
Recreational ........................ 509
Weight ............................ 501
Towing Assistance ....................... 139
636 INDEX