2006 DODGE CARAVAN weight

WARNING!
It is important that you do not exceed the maximum
front or rear GAWR. A dangerous driving condition
can result if either rating is exceeded. You could lose
control of the vehicle and have an accident.
Tongue Weight (TW)
The downward force exerted on the hitch ball by the
trailer. In most cases it should not be less than 10% or
more than 15% of the trailer load. You must consider this
as part of the load on your vehicle.
Frontal Area
The maximum height and maximum width of the front of
a trailer.
Trailer Sway Control
The trailer sway control is a telescoping link that can be
installed between the hitch receiver and the trailer tonguethat typically provides adjustable friction associated with
the telescoping motion to dampen any unwanted trailer
swaying motions while traveling.
Weight-Carrying Hitch
A weight-carrying hitch supports the trailer tongue
weight, just as if it were luggage located at a hitch ball or
some other connecting point of the vehicle. These kind of
hitches are the most popular on the market today and
they’re commonly used to tow small- and medium-sized
trailers.
Weight-Distributing Hitch
A weight-distributing hitch includes a receiver attached
to the tow vehicle, plus a removable hitch head and
spring bar assembly that fits into the receiver opening
and hook up brackets that connect the spring bars to the
trailer frame.
352 STARTING AND OPERATING

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
Duty3,500 lbs (1587 kg)
Class III - Heavy Duty 5,000 lbs (2268 kg)
Class IV - Extra
Heavy Duty10,000 lbs (4540 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.
STARTING AND OPERATING 353
5

Engine/Transmission GCWR (Gross Com-
bined Wt. Rating)Frontal Area Max. GTW (Gross
Trailer Wt.)Max. Tongue Wt.
3.3L & 3.8L
Automatic with
trailer tow package8,600 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 swayseverelyside to side
356 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:
•The tongue weight of the trailer.
•The weight of any other type of cargo or equipment
put in or on your vehicle.
•The weight of the driver and all passengers.
NOTE:Remember that everything put into or on the
trailer adds to the load on your vehicle. Also, additional
factory-installed options, or dealer-installed options,
must be considered as part of the total load on your
vehicle. Refer to the Tire and Loading Information plac-
ard in the Tire Safety Information Section of this manual
for the maximum combined weight of occupants and
cargo for your vehicle.
STARTING AND OPERATING 357
5

•Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer. Always connect the chains to the
frame or hook retainers of the vehicle hitch. Cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow enough
slack for turning corners.
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade.
When parking, apply the parking brake on the tow
vehicle. Put the tow vehicle automatic transmission in
P for Park. Always, block orchockthe trailer wheels.
•GCWR must not be exceeded.
•Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
2. GTW
3. GAWR4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch utilized
(This requirement may limit the ability to always
achieve the 10% to 15% range of tongue weight as a
percentage of total trailer weight).
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 the
Ti re s–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.
STARTING AND OPERATING 359
5

Octane Rating......................342,444
Requirements......................342,443
Tank Capacity........................ 443
Fuel System Caution..................... 344
Fueling............................... 346
Fuses................................ 434
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) ........... 167
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap).................. 346
Gasoline, Clean Air...................... 342
Gasoline (Fuel)......................... 342
Gasoline, Reformulated................... 343
Gauges
Coolant Temperature.................... 208
Fuel................................ 204
Speedometer......................... 205
Tachometer.......................... 207
Gearshift.............................. 311
General Information..................16,25,339Glass Cleaning.......................... 431
Grocery Bag Retainer..................... 136
Gross Axle Weight Rating...............348,351
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.............348,351
Hands-Free Phone (UConnect™) .............. 94
Hazard Warning Flasher................... 366
Head Phones........................... 264
Head Restraints......................... 119
Headlights............................ 143
Bulb Replacement...................... 438
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch........ 148
Lights On Reminder.................... 145
Replacing............................ 438
Time Delay.......................... 146
Heated Seats........................... 119
Heater............................... 274
Heater, Engine Block..................... 309
488 INDEX

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.......................... 335Load 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
10

Traction Control Switch.................150,318
Trailer Towing.......................... 350
Cooling System Tips.................... 363
Hitches............................. 353
Minimum Requirements................. 358
Trailer and Tongue Weight................ 356
Wiring.............................. 361
Trailer Towing Guide..................... 353
Trailer Weight.......................... 353
Transaxle............................. 309
Automatic........................... 309
Operation........................... 309
Overdrive........................... 312
Selection of Lubricant................425,445
Transmission........................... 424
Automatic........................... 424
Filter............................... 427
Fluid............................425,445
Transmitter Battery Service (Remote Keyless Entry) . 25Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) . . 167
Transmitter Programming (Remote Keyless Entry) . 23
Transmitter, Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)........ 20
Transporting Pets........................ 78
Tread Wear Indicators.................... 334
Trip Odometer.......................... 211
Trip Odometer Reset Button................ 212
Turn Signals...................147,205,439,441
Uniform Tire Quality Grades................ 479
Universal Joints......................... 413
Universal Transmitter..................... 167
Unleaded Gasoline....................... 342
Untwisting Procedure, Seat Belt.............. 49
Vanity Mirrors........................... 93
Variance, Compass....................... 160
Vehicle Certification Label................. 348
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)............ 6
498 INDEX