Considering towing with a Chrysler Pacifica? You’re not alone. Many minivan owners are curious about the towing capabilities of their vehicles, especially for hauling boats, trailers, or recreational equipment. This review dives into a real-world towing experience with a Chrysler Pacifica, focusing on its towing capacity and performance.
Having recently purchased a used 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Touring L specifically for towing, I decided to put it to the test with my 18′ Larson runabout boat. After approximately 170 miles of towing in diverse driving conditions, I’m genuinely impressed with the Pacifica’s performance and how well it handled the load.
My boat, when weighed a few years back, registered an axle weight of 3,300 lbs with a full tank of fuel. Adding in an estimated tongue weight of 200 lbs, the total towed weight comes very close to the Chrysler Pacifica’s maximum towing capacity. This weight is similar to what I previously towed with a Ford Escape, but the Pacifica offers a significantly improved towing experience.
One of the standout features of the Chrysler Pacifica for towing is the integrated instrument cluster display. Unlike other vehicles that require aftermarket OBD adapters to monitor vital fluid temperatures, the Pacifica conveniently shows real-time coolant and transmission temperatures directly on the dashboard. This feature provides valuable insights into the vehicle’s performance under load.
While the Chrysler Pacifica lacks manual transmission control, the factory programming for the automatic transmission is remarkably well-tuned for towing. The transmission intelligently adapts to the towing load, avoiding unnecessary gear hunting. It holds gears effectively and doesn’t rush to upshift as soon as you ease off the accelerator, a common annoyance in some vehicles when towing. On the highway, when towing my boat, the Pacifica predominantly stayed in 6th gear around 2,500 RPMs, occasionally shifting to 7th.
Having towed with Honda and Toyota minivans in the past, I anticipated the Pacifica’s Pentastar V6 engine to deliver ample power, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. The engine provides more than enough power for confident towing, effortlessly keeping pace with highway traffic. The overall towing stability is also commendable, contributing to a relaxed and secure driving experience. My trailer is equipped with hydraulic surge brakes, which I consider essential when towing near the vehicle’s weight limit, especially for a minivan in this class.
The Pacifica’s cooling system appears to be well-suited for towing, although coolant temperatures did reach as high as 228°F (109°C) on warmer days on the highway. While this is within an acceptable range, I will monitor temperatures as summer progresses. If higher temperatures become a concern, I may consider upgrading to the larger radiator available with the factory towing package for enhanced cooling capacity. The transmission temperature remained well-controlled, not exceeding 193°F (89°C). This is likely due to the transmission’s efficient gear selection and reduced gear hunting, minimizing heat generation.
In conclusion, based on my experience towing near its maximum capacity, the Chrysler Pacifica proves to be a highly capable and comfortable towing vehicle. For owners looking to tow a properly matched trailer within its specified towing capacity, the Pacifica is an excellent option that delivers a confident and enjoyable towing experience.
