Looking at a 2500-3000 pound trailer. Obviously a transmission oil cooler would be one way to increase the towing amount, but by how much?
Also, perhaps a second fan for the rad?
The rear shocks are self height adjusting, I do have the full spare, I am more interested in what else I can do to cool the fluids to bring the tow rating up about 1,000 pounds.
???
Not to be flippant, but buy a Durango instead. Minivans are wretched tow vehicles, and the recommended trailer weight is low for a reason. Its one thing to push 300 pounds past the recommendation, but pushing a full 50% past the recommendation is just asking for trouble, ESPECIALLY with the AWD driveline.
But in truth, I don't think driveline stress is the biggest problem- towing an over-weight trailer with a FWD vehicle (and the AWD version still gets the bulk of its drive from the FRONT wheels) is dangerous. The vehicle dynamics are terrible.
I don't know about the 2002 models but my 99 T&C LTD AWD is rated at 3500lb towing capacity (It does have the trailer tow pkg). The extra pkg was $295 CAN at the time so it probably just amounts to more cooling capacity (and a trailer wiring harness) . The hitch was not included.
S:
That is easy.
Just convert the front-wheel-drive, uni-body chassis to a rear-wheel-drive, body-on-frame design and you should be OK. Or else buy one of the big truck-based SUVs.
Dan
The main reason towing capacity is low is the AWD driveline and the rear axle is not designed for the weight. You could tow more safely with a non AWD caravan.
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