2009 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN load capacity

TRAILER TOWINGIn this section you will find safety tips and information
on limits to the type of towing you can reasonably do
with your vehicle. Before towing a trailer, carefully
review this information to tow your load as efficiently
and safely as possible.
To maintain warranty coverage, follow the requirements
and recommendations in this manual concerning ve-
hicles used for trailer towing.
Common Towing Definitions
The following trailer towing-related definitions will as-
sist 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/luggage and
trailer tongue weight. The total load must be limited so
that you do not exceed the GVWR.
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW)
The GTW is the weight of the trailer plus the weight of all
cargo, consumables and equipment (permanent or tem-
porary) loaded in or on the trailer in its
9loaded and
ready for operation9 condition. The recommended 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 GCWR is the total permissible weight of your vehicle
and trailer when weighed in combination.
NOTE: The GCWR rating includes 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 393 5

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 this section 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 Infor-
mation” in this section for the proper inspection
procedure.
When replacing tires, refer to “Tires–General Informa-
tion” in this section for proper tire replacement proce-
dures. 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).
STARTING AND OPERATING 403 5

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 an
accident.
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
accident.
404 STARTING AND OPERATING

Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 411
Compact Spare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363
Flat Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 421
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360
High Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362
Inflation Pressures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361
Jacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 411,415
Life of Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366
Load Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356,357
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) . . . . . . . . . . . 370
Pressure Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 509
Radial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363
Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366
Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352,360
Sizes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353
Snow Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369
Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 413Spinning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 364
Tread Wear Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 365
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393
24-Hour Towing Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Disabled Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 427
Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 398
Recreational . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 408,429
Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 398
Towing Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Traction Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
Traction Control Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393 Cooling System Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 408
Hitches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 397
Minimum Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 401
Trailer and Tongue Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400
Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 405
Trailer Towing Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 398
528 INDEX