2011 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN towing capacity

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.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and pas-
sengers from XXX lbs or XXX kg.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 383

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).
384 STARTING AND OPERATING

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. Refer to “Vehicle
Loading/Vehicle Certification Label” in “Starting and
Operating” for further information.
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 itsloaded and
ready for operation 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. Refer to “Vehicle Loading/Vehicle Certifica-
tion Label” in “Starting and Operating” for further
information.
422 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING! (Continued)
3. GAWR
4. Trailer tongue weight rating for that trailer hitch.
(This requirement may limit the ability to always
achieve the 10% to 15% range of trailer 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
“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 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
•
Donot 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.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 431

•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).
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.
•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.
432 STARTING AND OPERATING

Universal Consumer Interface (UCI)....... 310
Conserving Fuel ........................ 274
Console .............................. 224
Console, Floor .......................... 224
Console, Overhead ....................... 193
Console, Removable ...................... 229
Contract, Service ........................ 533
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .......... 487
Cooling System ......................... 484
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ............. 486
Coolant Capacity ..................... 511
Coolant Level .................... 484,488
Disposal of Used Coolant ............... 488
Drain, Flush, and Refill ................ 485
Inspection .......................... 488
Points to Remember .................. 488
Pressure Cap ........................ 487
Radiator Cap ....................... 487
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ....485,511,512 Cupholders
......................... 213,499
Customer Assistance ..................... 531
Data Recorder, Event ...................... 86
Daytime Running Lights ................... 167
Dealer Service .......................... 471
Defroster, Rear Window ................... 233
Defroster, Windshield .................. 103,338
Diagnostic System, Onboard ................ 468
Dimmer Control ........................ 167
Dipsticks Automatic Transaxle .................. 493
Oil (Engine) ........................ 472
Power Steering ...................... 366
Disabled Vehicle Towing ................... 462
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ............. 488
Engine Oil ......................... 474
Door Locks ............................. 32
10
INDEX 543

Tires ...........................104,386,537
Aging (Life of Tires) .................. 393
Air Pressure ........................ 386
Chains ............................ 395
Changing .......................... 439
Compact Spare ...................... 390
Flat Changing ....................... 453
General Information .................. 386
High Speed ......................... 388
Inflation Pressures .................... 387
Jacking ......................... 439,448
Life of Tires ........................ 393
Load Capacity .................... 382,383
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ......... 398
Pressure Warning Light ................ 253
Quality Grading ..................... 537
Radial ............................ 389
Replacement ........................ 394
Rotation ........................... 397 Safety
.......................... 377,386
Sizes ............................. 378
Snow Tires ......................... 397
Spare Tire .......................... 441
Spinning ........................... 392
Tread Wear Indicators ................. 393
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .............. 428
Towing ............................... 421
Disabled Vehicle ..................... 462
Guide ............................. 427
Recreational ........................ 436
Weight ............................ 427
Traction Control ......................... 371
Traction Control Switch ................... 371
Trailer Towing .......................... 421
Cooling System Tips .................. 435
Hitches ............................ 426
Minimum Requirements ................ 429
Trailer and Tongue Weight .............. 428
556 INDEX