TrailManor Owner's Forum  

Go Back   TrailManor Owner's Forum > TrailManor Owners Community > Prospective Owner Questions
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Mark Forums Read

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 11-24-2005, 09:22 AM   #1
MidwestDave
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Smile Transmission coolers

I was wondering if any TM owners use a Dodge Grandcaravan 3.8 l for a TV.
My question is if the tow package that came with vehicle includes a transmission cooler? The information says transaxle cooler. Are they one an the same. GW and I are excited, we drove 4 hours to see our first TM and was really impressed. This site is also AWsum! We have put a deposit on a new 2006, 2720 with many bells and whisles! Can't wait!
  Reply With Quote
Old 11-24-2005, 09:32 AM   #2
BobRederick
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Midwest Dave
Great! I hope your pleasures continue to grow with the new TM.
  Reply With Quote
Old 11-24-2005, 09:45 PM   #3
RockyMtnRay
TrailManor Master
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 816
Default Caravan is iffy

Quote:
Originally Posted by MidwestDave
I was wondering if any TM owners use a Dodge Grandcaravan 3.8 l for a TV.
My question is if the tow package that came with vehicle includes a transmission cooler? The information says transaxle cooler. Are they one an the same. GW and I are excited, we drove 4 hours to see our first TM and was really impressed. This site is also AWsum! We have put a deposit on a new 2006, 2720 with many bells and whisles! Can't wait!
Do a search on "grand caravan" (include the quotes)...you'll find lots to read. Your vehicle's "transaxle cooler" may not be enough...a secondary cooler may be needed.

You have a very marginal-for-towing 3800 lb "tow capacity"...that means you better plan to load both van and trailer very, very lightly. Especially if you're getting a trailer with lots of "bells and whistles"...those options will substantially add (like 500 or more lbs) to the "dry weight" or "empty weight" listed on TM's website.

As long as you only tow on the flat, low altitude roads of the midwest you'll probably do OK. But any mountain towing...either in the Appalachians or "out west" in the Rockies or Sierra will make your Dodge work very, very hard and will dramatically shorten its lifespan.
__________________
Ray

I use my TM as a base camp for hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, and climbing Colorado's 14ers


The Trailer: 2002 TM Model 2720SL ( Mods: Solar Panels (170 Watts), Dual T-105 Batteries, Electric Tongue Jack, Side AC, Programmable Thermostat, Doran TP Monitor System)

The Tow Vehicle: 2003 Toyota Tundra V8 SR5 4X4 w/Tow Package (Towing & Performance Mods: JBA Headers, Gibson Muffler, 4.30 gears, Michelin LTX M/S Tires, Prodigy Brake Controller, Transmission Temperature Gauge)


RockyMtnRay is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-25-2005, 02:37 PM   #4
MidwestDave
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Smile MidwestDave

Thanks for your help Bob and Ray, I appreciate it as we are also Newbies.
There is certainly a lot to learn!
  Reply With Quote
Old 12-19-2005, 07:15 PM   #5
MidwestDave
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Cool Cooler confirmed

I had the opportunity to talk with a friend who is a sales person for Dodge motors co. He confirmed that the transaxle cooler is the transmission cooler.
The package includes heavy duty altenator, radiator,etc as well as the transaxle cooler. It also came with the wiring harness for the trailer hook-up.
He did mention The weight capacity max for that model is 3800lbs. I think we will be alright.
  Reply With Quote
Old 12-20-2005, 04:25 AM   #6
Magdefrau
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

I have a TM pulled by a Grand Caravan. I did not have the dealership tow package. I bolted on a trailer hitch and wire harness. We live in Ozark Mountains. We traveled to the Smokey Mountains. Seemed to do just fine. I average 16.5 MPG. Load on van seemed fine. Sure it needs Load distributing hitch and air lift. Hot weather I need to bolt on trans cooling add on. I load enough such. Stop at Wal-Mart for resupply every three days. Wash clothes Sundays and Wednesdays. I was concerned at first,now I am sure its a good match. This is justification of cost of TM, I didn't need a gas hog to pull our camper. Life span of Van is seven years, Life span of TM is maybe 15 years. Just the way it is.
  Reply With Quote
Old 12-20-2005, 03:36 PM   #7
MidwestDave
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Cool Cooler Reply

Thanks for your words of experience. What model TM do you haul?
We haven't got ours yet, this spring we are getting a new 2006 model 2720.
About the air shocks or pillows, why do you have them when you have a WDH? I thought I had read in one of the posts that it was not necessary for both? Your right about the TV vs. TM life, I think we will be ready for a newer TV in a few years. I appreciate your coments Magdefrau .
  Reply With Quote
Old 12-20-2005, 08:41 PM   #8
Magdefrau
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Our TM is a 2004 model 3023. We bought it used. Almost got a 2005 model 2619. But, this used model was best size for our two kids and us. Used larger model priced the same as new smaller model. 3023 is the right size. Its big behind the van. I got a extension mirror to help. You got to think when you make a turn, when you stop and were you pull in to get gas.
I had already bolted on a Reese heavy duty hitch, part no. 37042. The nature of a Mini-Van will allow the tow unit to lower the hitch too closed to the street. The Air Lift pillows, Kit No.59560, corrects this. You got to have some type of helper for the leaf springs. The TM dealer may have not sold us the WDH but it came with the Used TM. This is how it works. The Air Lift keeps the hitch from dragging. The WDH keeps the frount tires in good contact with the road. The mini-anti sway bar keeps the TM and the Van in line. The dealer instaled a braking box unit, this times the TM's brakes with the Vans brakes. I realize now we need these four devises to tow a TM with our 03 Grand Caravans safly. I'm going to bolt on a Transmission After Market Cooling System before 95+ degree driving weather.
  Reply With Quote
Old 12-21-2005, 06:23 AM   #9
RickNewcomb
Site Sponsor
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 152
Default

I'll just add my experience. I have a 1999 Plymouth Grand Voyager with the factory towing package and a 1999 TM 2619. I use only a WDH. I have over 18,000 tow miles with the TM and over 102,000 miles on the TV. Haven't had the hitch drag once. I do replace the coolant and transmission fluid every two years.
__________________
Rick Newcomb
2012 TM2720
2008 Toyota Highlander
RickNewcomb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-21-2005, 03:25 PM   #10
fcatwo
Site Sponsor
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Anacortes. Wa
Posts: 396
Default

Re Air Lifts. We had AirLift air bags in the rear coil springs of the Honda Odyssey we towed our 2619 with for three years and they made it a much better vehicle -- even when we were not towing. One Ody owner reported on the http://www.odyclub.com owners site that he almost lost control during an emergency maneuver with 4 bikes hung off a rear rack on his stock Ody. AirLifts solved that problem. AirLifts are not a substitute for a WDH but a worthwhile addition for some lightly sprung vehicles IMO.
__________________
Frank
Former 2002 TM2619 Owner
2005 Toyota Tundra AC 4X2
fcatwo is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:49 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 2022 Trailmanor Owners Page.