Recommended Base Plate Fit and Related Items to Flat Tow 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan Behind Winnebago

Updated 05/04/2015 | Published 05/02/2015

Products Featured in This Question

Blue Ox Patriot Portable Flat Tow Brake System - Proportional

(397)

$1489.90

Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms

(4618)

$436.32

Curt, Reese, Valley, Draw-Tite, and EazLift Tow Bar Adapter Brackets for Blue Ox Base Plates

(34)

$77.12

Universal Magnetic Tow Lights w/ Wireless Transmitter and 4-Way Flat Trailer Connector - Red LEDs

(74)

$135.08

Roadmaster Bulb and Socket Tail Light Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles - Incandescent

(439)

$82.60

RoadMaster 68" Single Hook, Coiled Safety Cables - 6,000 lbs

(656)

$71.00

Question:

I have a reese 74950 tow champ tow bar and want to flat tow my 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan behind my 1999 35foot winnabago chieftain. What base plate do I need and do I need an adapter? I would also want a braking system. Please also tell me if I need anything else. Thanks.

asked by: Dale G

Expert Reply:

Safe and legal flat towing requires a number of components: tow bar, safety cables, a wiring/lighting kit, base plates and a supplementary braking system. Each of these is detailed in the linked article.

Your Reese Tow Champ tow bar 74950 has a 5000-lb maximum vehicle weight rating according to my contact at Reese Consumer products. Your 2011 Grand Caravan has a weight range of 4321- to 4483-lbs depending on its equipment and so will be within the tow bar's rating.

Generally it is easier to use the same brand of tow bar and base plates as this avoids compatibility issues and the need for adapters, which add cost and complexity. However, for use with your Tow Champ Tow Bar 74950 we offer Blue Ox adapter kit # BX8833 to join it to base plates # BX1994.

For safety cables I suggest the coiled type (to keep them from dragging on the ground) such as # RM-643 from Roadmaster.

For a wiring kit I recommend the Roadmaster kit # RM-155 as this avoids the need to cut into the van's wiring. If you prefer the easiest option you can instead use magnetic lights such as # C6304.

For a supplementary braking system by far the easiest to set up and use is the Blue Ox Patriot system # BLU37TR. Instructions for all referenced items are linked for you.

Before flat towing your vehicle always check your owner's manual to be sure your exact version of the vehicle can be flat towed; not all vehicles can be.