2014 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN towing capacity

Tire And Loading Information Placard
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.
Tire And Loading Information Placard
502 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:
•If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your
trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. The follow-
ing table shows examples on how to calculate total
load, cargo/luggage, and towing capacities of your
vehicle with varying seating configurations and num-
ber 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).
504 STARTING AND OPERATING

TRAILER TOWING
In 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 the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage,
follow the requirements and recommendations in this
manual concerning vehicles used for trailer towing.
Common Towing Definitions
The following trailer towing related definitions will assist
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 and tongue
weight. The total load must be limited so that you do notexceed 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 its
loaded 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 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 Certification La-
bel” in “Starting and Operating” for further information.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 543

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 the 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
•
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 551

WARNING!
•Do not connect trailer brakes to your vehicle’s hydrau-
lic 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 dis-
tance. When towing you should allow for additional
space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of
you. Failure to do so could result in a collision.
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.
Towing Requirements — Trailer Lights And Wiring
Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer size,
stoplights and turn signals on the trailer are required for
motoring safety.
The Trailer Tow Package may include a four- and seven-
pin wiring harness. Use a factory approved trailer har-
ness and connector.
NOTE: Do not cut or splice wiring into the vehicles
wiring harness.
The electrical connections are all complete to the vehicle
but you must mate the harness to a trailer connector.
Refer to the following illustrations.
552 STARTING AND OPERATING

Console, Overhead........................256
Console, Removable .......................294
Contract, Service ..........................669
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) ...........626
Cooling System ...........................622
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ...............624
Coolant Capacity .......................653
Coolant Level ..........................622
Disposal of Used Coolant .................626
Drain, Flush, and Refill ...................623
Inspection ............................627
Points to Remember .....................627
Pressure Cap ..........................626
Radiator Cap ..........................626
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) .............623
Corrosion Protection .......................632
Cupholders .............................279
Customer Assistance .......................667 Data Recorder, Event
.......................91
Daytime Running Lights ....................227
Dealer Service ............................609
Defroster, Windshield ......................122
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ..................233
Diagnostic System, Onboard .................606
Dimmer Control ..........................228
Dipsticks Automatic Transmission ..................631
Oil (Engine) ...........................611
Power Steering .........................478
Disabled Vehicle Towing ....................600
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ................626
Door Locks Door Locks ............................35
KeyFob...............................35
Remote ...............................35
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) ................35
10
INDEX 679

Jacking...............................573
LifeofTires ...........................515
Load Capacity .........................501
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ............520
Pressure Warning Light ...................318
Quality Grading ........................673
Radial ...............................509
Replacement ...........................516
Rotation ..............................519
Safety ...............................495
Sizes ................................496
Snow Tires ............................510
Spare Tire .............................574
Spinning .............................514
TrailerTowing .........................551
Tread Wear Indicators ....................514
Tire Safety Information .....................495
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight ................548
Torque Converter Clutch ....................474 Towing ................................543
24-Hour Towing Assistance ................162
Disabled Vehicle ........................600
Guide ...............................547
Recreational ...........................555
Weight...............................547
Towing Assistance .........................162
Towing Vehicle Behind a Motorhome ...........555
Traction ................................475
Traction Control ..........................484
Traction Control Switch .....................484
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) ..................490
TrailerTowing ...........................543 Cooling System Tips .....................554
Hitches ..............................546
Minimum Requirements ..................549
Tips.................................554
Trailer and Tongue Weight .................548
Wiring ...............................552
692 INDEX