Minivans are thought of as the go-to vehicle for soccer practice and family vacations. The good news is that if you need to tow your camper or even a small boat, many minivans have enough towing capacity. Generally speaking, the maximum towing capacity of a minivan is usually around 3500 lbs.
To streamline the process of finding the perfect, camping-ready minivan, we’ve assembled a list of the best minivans for towing. Aside from maximum towing capacity, you’ll also want to consider other factors like cargo space, price, comfort-focused features, and overall functionality before you decide on the perfect minivan for you.
Top 5 Minivans with Impressive Towing Capacities
If you’re hunting for a minivan that’s also a towing champ, you’re in luck. Several contenders in the market pack a punch in terms of towing capacity. Don’t be fooled; these minivans are built for much more than school drop-offs and grocery trips.
Dodge Grand Caravan
Image Courtesy of Patriot Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram
- Starting Price: Used starting around $12,000
- Towing Capacity: Up to 3,600 pounds
While the Dodge Caravan is no longer part of the Dodge lineup of vehicles for 2024, there are some great used options out there. The strong 3.6-liter V6 engine makes this minivan an excellent choice for pulling a camper for your next family trip. It’s a budget-friendly car suitable for heavy loads. The only negative you may encounter is the limited options for higher tow ratings.
Toyota Sienna
Image Courtesy of Chatham Parkway Toyota
- Starting Price: $45,000 for 2024 Models
- Towing Capacity: Up to 3,500 pounds
The Toyota Sienna scores highly in driveability and the ability to tow. It comes in an all-wheel drive model that is good for diverse conditions. The only thing to keep in mind here is that the starting price for the new Toyota is a little higher than some competitors.
Kia Sedona
Image Courtesy of Car and Driver
- Starting Price: Used models starting around $16,000
- Towing Capacity: 3,500 pounds
Kia has moved away from the Sedona and started pushing the new Sportage. However, if your wishlist includes ample storage space, a spacious interior, and adequate towing capacity, the Sedona is a great choice. The only downside is that used models have usually racked up 70,000+ miles.
Honda Odyssey
Image Courtesy of Honda
- Starting Price: $42,000
- Towing Capacity: 3,500 pounds
The Honda Odyssey has been around for a while, and it’s still going strong in 2024. The Honda Odyssey has a reverse camera and 3500 pounds of minivan towing capacity. Honda’s reliability is impressive, but you pay more upfront for a minivan like this.
Nissan Quest
Image Courtesy of Nissan
- Starting Price: Used starting around $13,5000
- Towing Capacity: 3,500 pounds
Nissan stopped making the Quest a few years back, and it left many Nissan owners wondering why. The Quest has spacious seating, is comfortable for long trips, and still boasts up to 3500lbs of towing capacity.
Things To Look For In A Minivan For Towing
The Dodge Grand Caravan, Toyota Sienna, Kia Sedona, Honda Odyssey, and Nissan Quest top the list for impressive maximum towing capacities.
However, in addition to the tow rating, there are a few other features to keep your eyes peeled for when shopping for a towing-friendly minivan.
- Powerful engines
- Spacious interiors
- Advanced safety features
- Comfortable seating options
- User-friendly technology
What Can You Tow With A Minivan?
As you saw from our list of the best minivans for towing, these vehicles have decent towing capacity. Here are some examples of what you can tow with most minivans.
| Item to Tow | Estimated Weight (lbs) |
| Small Travel Trailer | 2,000 – 3,000 |
| Utility Trailer | 500 – 1,500 |
| Small Boat (including trailer) | 1,500 – 3,000 |
| Jet Skis (including trailer) | 800 – 1,200 |
| Pop-up Camper | 1,500 – 2,500 |
How Much Can My Minivan Tow?
To calculate the towing capacity of a minivan, start by finding the specific tow rating of your vehicle. Once you have that, you will also want to know:
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): maximum weight of the vehicle, including passengers and cargo
- Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR): total allowable weight of the vehicle passengers, cargo, and the towed unit
Subtract the vehicle’s curb weight (weight without passengers or cargo) from the GCWR, and you’ll be left with the maximum towing capacity. While minivans can tow more than most cars, they don’t perform quite as well as trucks or SUVs when it comes to hauling.
Safety Features to Look For When Towing with Minivans
Towing with a minivan isn’t just about the muscle. Safety is equally important. Some safety features are paramount in ensuring a safe towing experience, namely automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning.
Safety Feature #1: Automatic Emergency Braking
Automatic emergency braking, as the name suggests, is all about preventing collisions. It uses advanced technology like cameras and radar to detect potential collisions. If a potential collision is detected, the system automatically applies the brakes, potentially preventing an accident or reducing its severity.
This is a great addition for those who are used to driving a passenger minivan without towing something behind it. Note: The extra weight of the towed load can increase the braking distance of the vehicle.
Safety Feature #2: Forward Collision Warning
Forward collision warning is another safety feature that comes in handy when towing. This system uses radar, lasers, or cameras to detect vehicles, people, and obstacles ahead. It then alerts the driver visually or audibly if there’s a potential collision, giving the driver a chance to react and avoid a crash.
Much like automatic emergency braking, a forward collision warning system can be a lifesaver when towing.
Pro tip: If you are looking for the best minivan for safety, you may need to look at the 2023-2024 models, as used minivans don’t have as many of these features.
Towing Accessories and Equipment You’ll Need
To tow your travel trailer (or other recreational vehicle) properly using a minivan, you’ll need the right accessories and equipment. This includes wiring harnesses and hitches. These accessories are instrumental in linking the minivan to the trailer, thereby ensuring a safe and efficient towing experience.
Wiring Harnesses
A wiring harness ensures proper electrical connections between the vehicle and the trailer, providing essential lighting and signaling functions.
Choosing the right wiring harness for your minivan involves understanding the different options available, such as 4-pin harnesses, custom wiring harnesses, and 7-pin trailer wiring harnesses. Talk to a local mechanic about which is best for your tow situation.
Hitches
A hitch is what physically connects the minivan to the trailer. Choosing the appropriate hitch type is vital for a secure towing connection.
There are several types of hitches available, such as receiver hitches, fifth-wheel hitches, and gooseneck hitches. The right choice depends on your vehicle’s towing capacity and the weight of the trailer.
Tips for Safe and Efficient Minivan Towing
Towing with a minivan involves more than just hooking up a trailer and hitting the road. Following proper loading techniques and staying up-to-date on regular maintenance is a must.
Proper Loading Techniques to Consider
If you plan to hitch a utility trailer (rather than a travel trailer) to your minivan, proper loading is critical. An improperly loaded trailer can lead to instability and increased risk of accidents. It’s crucial to evenly distribute the load’s weight across the trailer.
You should place the heavy items in the middle of the trailer, just in front of the axle, and then distribute the lighter items around it. This ensures stability and makes controlling the vehicle and trailer easier.
In addition to this, it’s important to secure the load to prevent shifting during transit.
What Regular Maintenance is Required for Your Towing Vehicle?
Towing puts extra strain on the vehicle, making regular upkeep essential to ensure optimal performance and longevity.
Maintenance tasks include:
- Regular oil changes
- Checking fluid levels
- Thorough inspections before each trip
- Maintaining the correct tire pressure, especially when towing, as the extra weight can affect the vehicle’s handling and fuel economy, making it less fuel efficient.
Summary
If you are planning to purchase a minivan for towing your recreational vehicle, whether it is a camper or a boat, always consider towing capacity. Doing so can help you avoid engine damage.
After using your new minivan to tow your utility trailer, travel trailer, or boat, you’ll need to find a place to store your recreational vehicles.
If you lack space to store all your vehicles, you will need a proper place to protect the recreational vehicle you plan on towing.
Consider renting a covered or enclosed place, like a commercial-sized garage or covered parking stall. Neighbor —a peer-to-peer storage marketplace— provides safe and budget-friendly covered or enclosed spaces for your recreational vehicles, close to where you need it for easy towing of your camper or boat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Minivan Has the Best Towing?
The best minivan for towing is the Dodge Grand Caravan as it has a towing capacity of up to 3,600 pounds.
What Minivan Can Tow 5,000 Pounds?
No minivan on the market is capable of towing 5,000 pounds. The standard minivan’s towing capacity is around 3500 lbs.
What Van Has the Highest Towing Capacity?
While minivans usually max out at towing capacities of 3500 lbs, commercial-sized sprinter vans have much higher towing capacities. One of the vans with the highest towing capacity is the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, which can exceed 7500 pounds of towing capacity.
What Is the Best Van for Towing a Trailer?
The best minivan for towing a small trailer would be the Dodge Grand Caravan. The Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, and Toyota Sienna are similarly popular choices due to their comfort-minded features and everyday drivability.
