R-pod Owners Forum Homepage

This site is free to use.
Donations benefit a non-profit Girls Softball organization

Forum Home Forum Home > R-pod Discussion Forums > I need HELP!!!
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: Towing an R-Pod with a Dodge Caravan advice
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Calendar   Register Register  Login Login

Topic ClosedTowing an R-Pod with a Dodge Caravan advice
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>
Author
Message
  Share Topic Share Topic  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
Pod Dragaon View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: 20 May 2020
Location: Nova Scotia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Towing an R-Pod with a Dodge Caravan advice
    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
Back to Top
offgrid View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 23 Jul 2018
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Jun 2020 at 9:28am
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
Back to Top
StephenH View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 29 Nov 2015
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6288 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Jun 2020 at 11:23am
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,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
Back to Top
Pod Dragaon View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: 20 May 2020
Location: Nova Scotia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Jun 2020 at 11:29am
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
Back to Top
StephenH View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 29 Nov 2015
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6288 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Jun 2020 at 11:40am
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,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
Back to Top
crw8sr View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: 12 Oct 2017
Location: Omaha Nebraska
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 328 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Jun 2020 at 4:49pm
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.
Back to Top
Capt Kidd View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp


Joined: 18 Aug 2015
Location: Chico, CA
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 212 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Jun 2020 at 6:02pm
The Pirate's Pod
Back to Top
Capt Kidd View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp


Joined: 18 Aug 2015
Location: Chico, CA
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 212 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Jun 2020 at 6:04pm
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
Back to Top
podwerkz View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 11 Mar 2019
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 966 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Jun 2020 at 6:07pm
The salesman who allowed this to happen should be shot.
r･pod 171 gone but not forgotten!
Back to Top
RoverPod View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 07 Mar 2020
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 118 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Jun 2020 at 9:27pm
Originally posted by podwerkz

The salesman who allowed this to happen should be shot.

Advocating for violence certainly seems out of line.
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.64
Copyright ©2001-2009 Web Wiz