Quote:
Originally Posted by bjmaharg
We're empty nester's who have tentcamped, and for past 15 years have towed a large coachman pop-up with our Dodge minivans. We know that the 17 or 18 foot surveyors may be towable but would like some info from those who have towed and slept in them. We will mostly be just the 2 of us but will also be taking along young grandchildren. any comments and suggestions are appreciated  |
Welcome to the forum! glad you are seeking advice before you decide on upgrading. please,
it would help us provide info if you told us what year, model, engine size.
i think most Dodge minivans have a 3500lbs. tow rating, with the biggest engine.
this is with a 150lb. driver. any additional passengers and cargo will subtract from that. the smaller Surveyors' GVWR is around 2700lbs. so you'll be at your limit.
just remember that towing a travel trailer will be A LOT different than towing a popup. because of the additional weight and especially of the frontal surface that acts like a big sail. you'll have to get a tow package if it doesn't already have one(type III hitch, brake controller, 7-pin outlet and a weight distributing hitch w/sway control). towing even the smallest TT will be a huge stress to your van's engine and transmission.
but if you take short trips and aren't going to the mountains, you might get by.
personally, i wouldn't tow any TT with a minivan, no matter what a dealer says. they were designed to transport a lot of people, economically. not to tow a large and heavy brick.
i towed our popup with a 4.0 v-6 Explorer and that was all it could handle. i wouldn't have used it for even the smallest TT.
to FRF!!
Linear Mode
