Recommended Towing And Suspension Enhancement For 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan
Question:
Please I need help to figure the right products to tow a 19foot yamaha boat, wet weight with trailer its around 2900 lbs. under trailer says dry weight 2700 lbs. Usually we carry 6 people with an average of 160 lb each plus 90 lb luggage. I would like to extend the life of the engine, brakes, suspension ride quality and the right tools to two that boat or 2 1000lb each jet skis. Thanks
asked by: George B
Expert Reply:
With a new vehicle you are doing the right thing in setting up everything to safely tow your boat. I can help you out with that.
First I recommend the Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch, part # 75579. This is a Class lll hitch and it has a 2-inch receiver opening.
Since you plan on doing some towing you might be interested in etrailer ball mount kit # 989900. It comes with 2 ball mounts; one with a 3/4 inch rise or 2 inch drop and one with a 2-3/4 inch rise or 4 inch drop. It also includes a 1-7/8 inch ball, 2 inch ball, hitch pin with clip, and a storage bag.
If the ball mount kit does not include a ball mount with the right rise or drop to tow the trailer level, check out the link I have included that explains how to measure to choose a ball mount to tow the trailer level.
The trailer wiring harness I recommend is the Curt Vehicle Wiring Harness, part # C56331. You just attach this harness to the connection points behind the tail lights, run a hot lead to the vehicle battery and you are good to go.
I found that the towing capacity for your Grand caravan is 3600-lbs. with the amount of passengers and cargo you said you are carrying I recommend an air suspension enhancement system like part # TDVRRT. This system is easily installed by replacing the axle bump stops on your Dodge. It will not affect the empty ride of your vehicle but becomes more rigid as weight is added, so it helps your suspension system when needed.
To help extend the life of the transmission I recommend installing a cooler. You want to get the largest cooler available based on the best location (between the grill and radiator if possible). If you have the room I recommend part # D13503. This is a Class lll cooler and it measures 11 inches wide x 8-3/4 inches tall x 7/8 inches deep. If you find you do not have enough room you can check out the attached link to the product page for the coolers we offer to find one that will work for you.
To tow your boat trailer I recommend a weight distribution system. WD systems are recommended when the trailer you are towing is more than half the weight of your vehicle. Chances are you have a pole tongue on your trailer so you will need a pole tongue adapter like part # EQ95-01-5950.
The weight distribution system I recommend is part # FA92-00-0600. This system will work with tongue weight up to 600-lbs. This system also features sway-control.
You will need a hitch ball with a 1-1/4 inch diameter shank like part # EQ91-00-6080 for a 2-inch hitch ball.
If your trailer has brakes you will need a brake controller, and trailer harness wiring. For a brake controller I recommend part # 90885. This is a the prodigy P2 proportional brake controller. This applies the brakes on the trailer with the same intensity as the brakes in the towing vehicle. This is our most popular controller because is it easy to install and operate.
To run the wiring for the brake controller and trailer connector you will need part # ETBC7. This attaches to the 4-way connector on your vehicle and then running the additional wires as shown in the attached drawing. This will give you a 7-way connector you need for a trailer with brakes.
When working with electrical connectors I recommend using dielectric grease like part # 11755. This keeps dirt and moisture out of the electrical connections and helps prevent corrosion. If you have any further questions please feel free to reach back out to us anytime and I would be more than happy to further assist you.
Products Referenced in This Question
Dielectric Grease for Electrical Connectors, 2 oz.
- Accessories and Parts
- Trailer Wiring
- Wiring
- Dielectric Grease
- LubriMatic
more information >
Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Proportional Controller
- Electric
- Electric over Hydraulic
- Automatic Leveling
- Under-Dash Box
- Dash Mount
- Up to 4 Axles
- LED Display
- Up to 360 Degrees
- Tekonsha
more information >
etrailer Ball Mount Kit for 2" Hitches - 7,500 lbs
- Trailer Hitch Ball Mount
- Fixed Ball Mount
- 1-7/8 Inch Ball
- 2 Inch Ball
- Two Balls
- Steel Ball
- Steel Shank - Gloss Black
- Drop - 2 Inch
- Drop - 4 Inch
- Rise - 1 Inch
- Rise - 3 Inch
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- 7500 lbs GTW
- Class III
- Ball Mount Kit
- etrailer
more information >
Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
- Custom Fit Vehicle Wiring
- Trailer Hitch Wiring
- Powered Converter
- Custom Fit
- 4 Flat
- CURT
more information >
Derale Series 8000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler Kit w/Barb Inlets - Class III - Efficient
- Transmission Coolers
- Plate-Fin Cooler
- Mid-Size Truck
- SUV
- Van
- Standard Mount
- 11W x 8-3/4T x 7/8D Inch
- With 11/32 Inch Hose Barb Inlets
- Derale
more information >
2" Hitch Ball for Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution Systems - 8,000 lbs
- Trailer Hitch Ball
- Trailer Hitch Ball
- Standard Ball
- Chrome-Plated Steel
- 2 Inch Diameter Ball
- 2-1/4 Inch Shank Length
- 1-1/4 Inch Diameter Shank
- 8000 lbs GTW
- Class IV
- Class V
- Equal-i-zer
more information >
Pole-Tongue Adapter for Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution Systems - 14,000 lbs GTW, 1,400 lbs TW
- Accessories and Parts
- Weight Distribution Hitch
- Adapters
- Pole Tongue Adapters
- Equal-i-zer
- Equal-i-zer
more information >
Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller - 7-Way RV and 4-Way Flat - 10 Gauge Wires
- Accessories and Parts
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Installation Kits
- etrailer
more information >
Fastway e2 Weight Distribution w/ 2-Point Sway Control - Trunnion - 6,000 lbs GTW, 600 lbs TW
- Weight Distribution Hitch
- WD With Sway Control
- Some Sway
- Includes Shank
- Electric Brake Compatible
- Surge Brake Compatible
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Allows Backing Up
- 400 lbs
- 500 lbs
- Fastway
more information >
Timbren Rear Suspension Enhancement System
- Vehicle Suspension
- Rear Axle Suspension Enhancement
- Jounce-Style Springs
- Light Duty
- Timbren
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"
- Trailer Hitch
- Custom Fit Hitch
- Class III
- 400 lbs TW
- 4000 lbs GTW
- 5000 lbs WD GTW
- 2 Inch Hitch
- 500 lbs WD TW
- Concealed Cross Tube
- Draw-Tite
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Shop: Suspension Enhancement
- Shop: Transmission Cooler
- Shop: Fastway e2 Weight Distribution w/ 2-Point Sway Control - Trunnion - 4,500 lbs GTW, 450 lbs TW
- Video: Transmission Cooler Installation - 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Shop: Derale Series 8000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler Kit w/Barb Inlets - Class III - Efficient
- Q&A: Parts Needed For Towing a 1961 Broken Arrow TeePee Trailer With a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan
- Q&A: Trailer Hitch and Suspension Enhancement Recommendation for 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan
- Q&A: Recommended Helper Springs for 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan
- Q&A: Suspension Enhancement Recommendation for 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan for Sagging While Towing
- Shop: Derale Series 9000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler Kit w/ NPT Inlets - Class II - Extra Efficient
- Shop: Derale Series 8000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler Kit w/Barb Inlets - Class III - Efficient
- Shop: 2" Hitch Ball - 1" Diameter x 2-1/4" Long Shank - Chrome - 12,000 lbs
- Search Results: 66557
- Q&A: Transmission Cooler and Radiator Adapter Fitting for 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan
- Q&A: Weight Distribution Recommendation for 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan Towing 200 lb Tongue Weight Trailer
- Q&A: Transmission Cooler for 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan
- Shop: Air Lift 1000 Air Helper Springs for Coil Springs - Rear
- Video: AirLift 1000 Helper Springs Installation - 2010 Dodge Caravan
- Article: Which Sway Control Hitch is Right For Your Trailer?
- Article: 2 Steps for Finding the Right Weight Distribution Hitch Size
- Article: Determining Trailer Tongue Weight
- Shop: Fastway e2 Weight Distribution w/ 2-Point Sway Control - Trunnion - 6,000 lbs GTW, 600 lbs TW
- Search Results: transmission coolers
- Search Results: fa92~00~0450
- Search Results: shocks
- Search Results: husky weight distribution
- Shop: Brake Controller
- Shop: RV Covers
- Video: Derale Series 8000 Transmission Cooler Review