2012 Dodge Grand Caravan Pentastar

[sbestca]

Originally Posted by Varn

Is it really 4500 pounds? Do you have a fuel economy gauge? 50 psi in the tires?

Remember it is hard to compete on an economy basis with some that live in the south. Temps play a huge factor.

Yes, not only does the temp have an effect on rolling resistance and engine warm up, but the fuel is changed seasonally as well.

Don't know actual weight, have not weighed it. That weight is from published specs.
This van does have an OEM on dash L/100kms indicator. Its tank to tank values are in light green on the graph below.

Tires are at stock pressure as of yet. Will be soon switching to winter tires with the change of weather.
For the most part I am base-lining the vehicle in its initial miles.

Here is the tank to tank mileage so far. The low (high?) spikes are from short distance trips.

[Varn]

Pump those tires up! It is the biggest bank for the buck.

[slowmover]

Assume the rule of thumb that with driver and full fuel the weight is 450-lbs above factory shipping weight. Using a certified scale (three pads) works best. Wheel-by-wheel is recommended as this is a vehicle with cargo capacity (and a fairly substantial towing ability, beyond the factory rating) so that knowing FF and RR plus wheel-by-wheel under various conditions can be the aid in load versus pressure for tires.

The air-conditioned go-kart crowd doesn't quite understand that higher COG and widely varying loads means that tire "give" is integral to best braking and transient response with a van or truck.

Staying within the factory range of pressures, but dialling in the tires to maintain the 15% load reserve (see CapriRacers site) works very well on my pickup. To the tune of 120k on the first set of tires. Raising pressure doesn't always have a beneficial effect as it is more about the vehicle is being used, versus how the vehicle is being used. Keep that order, IMO.

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[Varn]

I was looking in the door of benzilla today and saw the weight. 4500 pounds .. It was GVW not empty weight. I bet you are quoting gvw not normal weight.

[ksa8907]

Originally Posted by Varn

I was looking in the door of benzilla today and saw the weight. 4500 pounds .. It was GVW not empty weight. I bet you are quoting gvw not normal weight.

Curb weight is listed at 4510. Not surprising, most new cars are really heavy cause of safety equipment.

[Varn]

Wow that is as heavy as my 05 Econoline! With close to the same economy and less capacity.

Must be some advantage to owning it?

[ksa8907]

mileage, looks, not a ford... should i go on?

[Varn]

I hope you are not taking offense to the fact that your car is as heavy as my Econoline, a true truck, my farm truck.

[slowmover]

Put 'em on a scale, guys. Driver, full fuel and usual trunk junk. A stripper Econoline and a loaded minivan might be close. But what is the payload of each?

And, minivans are not lightweights. I think GVWR is near 6k on some.

FWIW, they are also not limited by the ridiculously low 3500-lb tow rating, Set up properly they are capable of much more. An aero travel trailer is bread & butter for a good one.

A pretty wide range of use where maximum payload is not the concern. Very good people hauler.

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