Dodge Grand Caravan / Chrysler Town and Country

[50BMG]

A friend of mine asked me how capable Dodge/Chrysler minivans are in the snow/mud or even offroad VS 2wd Chevy/GMC Silverado/Sierra trucks I don't believe I know enough about the Dodge/Chrysler minivans to give an educated answer. I was just thinking a 2wd truck with an empty bed is going to be really light in the rear end. Can anyone help me give an answer to my friend ?

 

[Bill Stockard]

A friend of mine asked me how capable Dodge/Chrysler minivans are in the snow/mud or even offroad VS 2wd Chevy/GMC Silverado/Sierra trucks I don't believe I know enough about the Dodge/Chrysler minivans to give an educated answer. I was just thinking a 2wd truck with an empty bed is going to be really light in the rear end. Can anyone help me give an answer to my friend ?

My wife owns a minivan, not a Chrysler product, but it would be similar. The advantage in mud and snow would be front wheel drive. The biggest disadvantage would be the very limited clearance under the vehicle. Our minivan has never been in mud or snow and probably never will while we own it. I have no idea how it would perform.

Bill

 

[MartyK]

We have had three (2000,2006 & 2008) Dodge/Chrysler minivans. What I've noticed about the minivans in the snow is the tire. The tires make a big difference for getting through the snow.

I don't have any experience with the vans off-road or in the mud but I don't think they would do well because of the low ground clearance.

Marty

 

[MarkEkberg]

I have taken my 2005 Dodge Caravan into very difficult places. Lots of mud, 6"-8" ruts. Had snow tires on it and it did very well. Everyone else was in 4wd trucks and I was in a minivan. Lots of strange looks.

They are very capable rigs. Love ours.

 

[50BMG]

Thanks MarkEkberg for your input this is almost the exact information I was looking for . I'm really impressed the only question that I have is if you ever got stuck in the 6"-8" ruts if so how many times and were you able to get yourself "OUT" without assistance from others or not?

 

[MarkEkberg]

Thanks MarkEkberg for your input this is almost the exact information I was looking for . I'm really impressed the only question that I have is if you ever got stuck in the 6"-8" ruts if so how many times and were you able to get yourself "OUT" without assistance from others or not?

The two times we did it, I was confident because there were 4 guys in the van to push, but we never had to. There were a few times I had to plan ahead, or back up before I got too stuck, but all in all we never had to do any recovery.

On my latest 2006 van there is a transmission cooler that would hit ground easily that was not on my 2005. Make sure you take a good look under your van before you go offroading.