2013 Grand Caravan pulling a 2015 1007UD

cyprant · 03-30-2014, 11:45 PM

We are completely new to towing and I am picking up my 1007 this week and just wanted to hear some opinions on if I will need WD and or sway control. I chose this model because of the conservative weights for my tow vehicle.

TV - 3250 lbs GVWR, 325 lb hitch weight, (according to my manual with 3-5 passengers & luggage.) I find this strange that they worded it like this...

PUP- dry weight 1725 (unknown actual shipping weight, but approx 1950. GVWR - 2550 dry tounge weight 165.

My pup will not have brakes and dodge recommends them with trailers above 1000lbs, and requires them above 2000lbs.

What say you?

Brownie · 03-31-2014, 03:19 AM

I don't have the expertise to help you with your towing question, but many here on The Forum do. I just wanted to welcome you.

mcfarmall · 03-31-2014, 04:12 AM

I towed a 12' popup with 5 bikes on the roof with no trailer brakes or sway control with my '03 Honda Odyssey no problem. As long as you don't concentrate weight aft of the trailer axle you'll be fine. If you're really worried about sway get a friction type sway control device and put on there but I don't think you'll need it.

Rustic Eagle · 03-31-2014, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyprant

snip......My pup will not have brakes and dodge recommends them with trailers above 1000lbs, and requires them above 2000lbs.
What say you?

Welcome to JOF

I agree with you that the ship weight will be a little heavier then the published UVW of 1,725lbs, and do to the limited CCC the loaded PUP weight could approach the 2,550lb GVWR (depends on your personal loading habits).

IMO having at least the Hydraulic Surge Brakes (Jayco option) would be desirable based on the fact that the PUP loaded will weigh more then 2,000lbs, even under conservative loading.

Bob

DocBrown · 03-31-2014, 09:02 AM

Mini vans are very nice TVs for PUPs. We towed a 2600# PUP with a 2000 Pontiac Montana and it was like they were made for each other.

That said, my PUPs were both equipped with hydraulic surge brakes. I would not tow a pup that size with a mini-van without brakes. Without trailer brakes, a van full of people, your "stuff", and the trailer itself, you will have far too many white knuckle moments.

I will say that surge brakes suck. Since you don't have any brakes, you can add electric brakes which are much better. There is lots of info online on how to do that, but its probably easiest to buy a new axle that already has the brakes. It may cost you a few bucks but it would well worth it.

Livinglife2 · 03-31-2014, 09:16 AM

Stay on paved roads, our friends bought a new mini van to pull there very small pop up last summer, they went on vacation to a new campground that they had never been to and it was down a step hill on a gravel road to the waters edge. Very nice campground and Everything was good till they go to leave,the mini van couldn't pull their pop up back up the hill. Had to get towed back up the hill to get out of the campground. The weight of the trailer was just enough that front tires just spun on the gravel and not enough power to get them back up. So once they got back home they went straight to the car lot and traded it in on a new nissan armada, so choose your roads with caution hills and gravel you might not make it too far.

waynem · 03-31-2014, 09:22 AM

We used a setup very similar to yours for many years and miles, including an 8 week 10k mile trip around the US one summer. Our TV was a Voyager, our PUP was a 1993 1206, weights approximately the same. We didn't have surge brakes and we were "okay" but I think you would be happier having them if you can add them. We initially found our setup a little squirrelly with no WD. We found a lightweight WD hitch from Reese that we really liked. The WD arms sit up on top of the tongue arms on special friction pads, giving you WD and sway control in one. Made the setup feel very solid, hardly knew the trailer was behind us. I would highly recommend one if they still make them.

Threebutchers · 03-31-2014, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waynem

.........We initially found our setup a little squirrelly with no WD. We found a lightweight WD hitch from Reese that we really liked. The WD arms sit up on top of the tongue arms on special friction pads, giving you WD and sway control in one. Made the setup feel very solid, hardly knew the trailer was behind us. I would highly recommend one if they still make them.

Reese 350 WDH w/ Antisway....below is a link to my experience purchasing and installing one.

http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=15808

max2bob · 03-31-2014, 10:13 AM

we have a 2012 1007 and I believe the ship weight is 1980 lbs. that does not include the battery or water though. I would not tow it without brakes period.

cyprant · 03-31-2014, 11:05 AM

Where can I find the cost of a new Axel?

Threebutchers · 03-31-2014, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyprant

Where can I find the cost of a new Axel?

I would start a new thread. Try to include your model, year, VIN Number, bolt pattern (4,5,6) - spring or torsion - axle rating.....any and all will help.

Good Luck

outofhere · 03-31-2014, 05:18 PM

Welcome to the fourm Trailer brakes are very handy when you have to stop fast. Having a much larger pup at one time I had to lock them up a few times. Was not fun don't forget you have all the weight of the trailer,passengers and all your gear on bord You also may want to check with your state transportation department to see if they have any rules that apply. As far as an axle try e-trailer on line but it can be a bit of a chore switching them out. Also look at a conversion kit may be cheaper and lastly take your checkbook with you the dealer may let you upgrade. The sway bar is easy to install and can be bought on line or at walmart

Huntsvillian · 03-31-2014, 05:29 PM

As someone who has a 2011 Grand Caravan if you can add additional brakes to the trailer, do it. Our GC has had the brakes replaced twice and it only has 25,000km on it as they keep seizing.

cyprant · 03-31-2014, 10:48 PM

So I contacted Jayco and Dexter axel today and after providing the VIN number of my soon to be delivered 2015 1007UD they determined that my axel will have the flanges for brakes already on it. I was able to locate the parts needed to add brakes for about $325 and another $125 in labor. Another $275 for a prodigy 2 brake controller installed on my van.

Wish I would have been able to locate this pup with all the features I wanted from the factory, but after talking to Jayco, all units are sold already through July. So If we ordered one we MAY get it by August... Not worth missing 3/4 of a camping season.

Does this seem like a good deal?
If for some reason they were wrong about the flanges, add $300 to a total of $1000 to add brakes...

What would make a bigger impact, spending this $ on brakes or WDH and Sway control??

DocBrown · 04-01-2014, 07:19 AM

Sounds reasonable unless you have the know how to it yourself. Sometimes its worth paying someone to do it.

The Prodigy sounds high though. Though I'm sure that includes the wiring. They will most likely have to run a wire for the brakes. Most mini-vans would not have that wiring installed from the factory.

Scott · 04-02-2014, 08:12 AM

If I had to choose between brakes, WDH or sway control I would choose brakes. My 1206 (at about 3500 lbs it is quite a bit heavier that yours) came with surge breaks and I locked them up this weekend on a panic stop when someone pulled out in front of me when I was only about 20 feet away as I was doing 35 mph. Glad a cop saw the whole thing and pulled the idiot over. And I was only 3 miles from home.

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