Towing capacity

austin123

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 16, 2004
Messages
109
Hi,<br /><br />I need to purchase a hitch for my 2002 chrysler town and country. I am not sure whether to go for a class I rated at 2000LB GVW and 200LB TW or a class II rated at 3,500LB GVW and 300LB TW.<br /><br />My boat is a 1988 Stingray SVB176. Total weight of the boat is 1865LB. The trailer is a Southern Draw and it has a sticker on it saying:<br /><br />Gross vehicle weight 2800LB<br />Gross axle weight 3500LB<br /><br />When choosing a class of hitch do you just have to know the weight of what is on the trailer, ie the boat? Or do I need to get a hitch with a capacity over that of the GVW of the trailer, which would be the class II.<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br /> :confused:
 

jlinder

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jul 5, 2004
Messages
1,086
Re: Towing capacity

DANGER WILL ROBINSON !!!<br /><br />I think you need to take a new look at what you are proposing.<br /><br />Boat - 1865 lbs. NEW AND EMPTY<br />Trailer - Sounds like it is about 700 lbs.<br /><br />You now have 2565 lbs to tow.<br /><br />Now add fuel (6-7lbs/gallon, 25 gal, about 160 lbs.), gear, cooler, water, etc. and you get a lot of extra weight. I'm sure there are a lot of opinions out there, and many better than mine, but I would add about 500 lbs.<br /><br />Now up to 3065 lbs.<br /><br />Your hitch and towing vehicle needs to take this into account.<br /><br />I would go with a 5000 lbs hitch,<br /><br />Now for the vehicle. Is it rated for this weight? It is not just power, but what this does to the frame, transmission, engine, etc. Check the vehicle specs. Is it rated for towing this weight? Is there a tow package? Is it reccomended that you add a transmission cooler or other gear.<br /><br />Don't just think about pulling power - what is more important is control and stopping ability.<br /><br />I don't want to throw a bucket of water on the joy of boating, but some care spent now will pay off many times over when you don't have expensive car repairs, get stuck, or even worse have a bad accident.<br /><br />Do it right. This is just too important.
 

austin123

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 16, 2004
Messages
109
Re: Towing capacity

Thank you for the reply.<br /><br />The owners manual states that for my vehicle the maximum weight of trailer and vehicle (boat) is not to exceed 6,600LB. It also does say that a load equalizing hitch is RECOMMENDED for over 1,000LB.<br /><br />What is a load equalizing hitch? and would you recommend it?<br /><br />Thank you I appreciate the advice and any warnings! :)
 

roscoe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,746
Re: Towing capacity

The manual is generic for that model vehicle.<br />It says that the vehicle, IF PROPERLY EQUIPPED, could tow that amount.<br /><br />An equalizing hitch distributes the weight onlong the frame of the vehicle.<br /><br /><br /> http://www.torklift.com/equalizing_hitches.htm <br /><br />You need to get to the Chrysler dealer and have them read the vehicle codes. This will tell you if your specific vehicle is equipped to tow X amount of weight.<br /><br />You need the right engine, brakes, transmission, suspension, hitch, oil cooler? etc to tow that amount of weight.<br /><br />And if the trailer and its cargo exceed 3000#, you need brakes on the trailer in SC. But don't get caught in NC, cause I think the limit there is only 1000#.
 

jlinder

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jul 5, 2004
Messages
1,086
Re: Towing capacity

roscoe,<br /><br />I second the need for brakes. With that weight I would not want to tow without them, law or no law. Check for brakes, and get someone to check to see if they are working.<br /><br />They are worth their weight in gold if you have to do a quick stop.<br /><br />Typical on something of this size would be surge brakes. They are activated by the hitch.<br /><br />With surge brakes, when you hit the brake the trailer pushes forward. At the front of the tounge that assembly actually slides back activating the brakes a lot like pushing on a brake pedal. Works pretty well.<br /><br />If you go to back up the boat up a hill and it does not go, or is very hard to push, it is because the brakes have come on. There is usually a way to defeat them for this kind of situation, like a quick disconnect for the brake line (like I have) or a pin to put in place. Make sure you only do this when backing up a hill, then restore to normal before towing.
 

austin123

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 16, 2004
Messages
109
Re: Towing capacity

Looks like I will be going down to the dealership to get an idea of the capacity of my vehicle. Or sell it and buy a suburban! $$$<br /><br />Does anybody on this forum tow this kind of weight with a minivan??<br /><br />The trailer does not have brakes and I tow it right now with my Dad's Nissan Pathfinder which does well except up very steep grades. Can you fit aftermarket brakes to trailers or is it better to buy a trailer with them already on it?
 

roscoe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,746
Re: Towing capacity

To retro fit the brakes, you would need to replace the coupler, and most likely the entire axle, about $500-$600 plus labor.<br />Probably cheaper to buy a new trailer and sell the old one.
 

Lou C

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 10, 2002
Messages
12,842
Re: Towing capacity

Is the trailer in good shape? If so adding brakes makes sense, since a new one with brakes will run about $1800 or so, vs 600 parts to do it yourself. I just did this on my 1994 Loadrite, I had a 3500 lb axle made by Champion Trailers, and installed the surge drum system that they sell. Pretty easy to do overall if you have worked on brakes before. Now if the trailer is falling apart, or needs new rollers (expensive, I did that too!) or if you can't do the labor, it may make sense to get a newer one that is big enough and has brakes. I am not sure of the towing capacity of the ChryCo minivan, but just look in the owners's manual, it is all there. Get the highest capacity hitch you can. I towed my boat (3300lbs) short distances without brakes, and I'd definitely recommend them. It is too nervewracking otherwise, everytime some fool pulls out in front of you, you will wish you had them.
 

austin123

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 16, 2004
Messages
109
Re: Towing capacity

Not sure what to do now? I have been looking up hitches last night and this morning. Going to go down to the dealership and get them to recommend a max towing and tongue weight before needing to install a load equalizing hitch. Also going to try to find somewhere I can get the boat weighed and tongue weight weighed. It's not like I will be taking the boat a long way when towing. The boat is only going to be used occasionally and the lake is only around 20 miles away but it still needs to be right I know.<br /><br />I am still rebuilding the boats interior and have not even had it in the water yet and it won't be until next year till I expect to be finished so I have got plenty of time. I may just trade my car in next year for a used truck, a dodge ram or something, and take the guesswork out of it.
 

austin123

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 16, 2004
Messages
109
Re: Towing capacity

Actually looking at the manual again it does give the 6,600 max towing weight but gives GAWR not to go over as follows:<br /><br />front axle empty weight 2140lbs<br />rear axle empty weight 1470lbs<br /><br />GAWR front 2554lbs<br />GAWR rear 2554lbs<br /><br />If I add mine and my wifes weight to front axle weight this gives a total of 2550lbs front which is right at my GAWR for the front axle<br /><br />Now if I take the rear axle weight and add my three young children + light cargo @ 200lbs + fuel @124lbs for 20 gal (6.2lbs/gal) + a class III hitch @50lbs + say 150lbs for safety.<br /><br />This all equals a total weight on the rear axle of 1994lbs. My max GAWR is stated as 2554lbs. This leaves me with an available weight for the tongue of 560lbs.<br /><br />According to http://www.iboats.com/sites/trailerboats/site_page_1925/images/tow503.pdf <br /><br />it states that boat trailers commonly have a tongue weight of 5-8% due to a heavy engine on the rear and a long tongue.<br /><br />So even at 8% of my gross trailer and boat weight of say 3000lbs this gves a tongue weight of 240lbs which is below my available.<br /><br />Does all this make sense or am I still missing something?<br /><br />Seems to me that if I fit a class III hitch and only carry my family and not a full load of adults, (I will most likely be on my own anyway) I am ok pulling with this vehicle.<br /><br />Comments/suggestions welcome..........
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
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Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,012
Re: Towing capacity

I would think that you're going to be at the Upper Most Limits............<br />It'll work for awhile.... Then "Things" are going to Wear-Out Prematurely..........<br />Stopping will be Interesting at times.... Even With Trailer Brakes.......<br />Retreiveing Could be entertaining for the bystanders at some boat ramps...... :rolleyes:
 

austin123

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 16, 2004
Messages
109
Re: Towing capacity

OK so it appears that people are more interested in making a joke than helping out.<br /><br />Thank you for the information.
 

jlinder

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jul 5, 2004
Messages
1,086
Re: Towing capacity

Brit-man<br /><br />I sounds like you are taking this the wrong way. We are all trying to share information and perhaps some knowledge we have gotten from other people along the way. Comments here were not meant to insult you. <br /><br />I think boat owners joke because if you didn't you would explode when you discovered you just bent up that new prop, or you need another $1000 dollars for repair, or threw out the anchor and watched the end of the line sail past with it.<br /><br />We laugh at ourselves. Try going to the stupid human tricks area of the board if you don't believe me (or for just a good laugh).<br /><br />The last entry by Bondo was accurate. If you run a vehicle at it's limits you will wear parts out much faster. If there are things you can do to help now (transmission cooler, etc.) it will save you money and heartache in the future.<br /><br />The decision is yours, and not every piece of advice is written in stone - opinions vary but it seems like you have gotten some good basic advice.<br /><br />We all wish you the best. As boaters we want you to have safe fun just like us.
 

JasonJ

Rear Admiral
Joined
Aug 20, 2001
Messages
4,163
Re: Towing capacity

I see people towing boats with minivans all the time here, but that doesn't mean they should. In order for your van to be able to tow its maximun weight, it needs to have the largest optioned engine, transmission cooling system, proper gear ratio in the final drive (don't know that there is any actual gearing options for the front wheel drive transmission). Also, is yours an all wheel drive? If not, it is front wheel drive. Front wheel drive can have problems pulling a heavy boat up a slippery ramp. It would need to be dry, no gravel or aquatic plantlife. How many ramps are like that? Trailer brakes are a must with that kind of weight. Yeah, you can get away with pulling it with the van, but without trailer brakes, that boat can wag the dog in an emergency. Is this van the normal length, or the short version. The short version won't be rated to tow as much as the normal or extended length vans. Anyway, if you have the largest engine, tranny cooler, good hitch, and trailer brakes, you may be fine. Another option is a beater $1500 1/2 ton pickup as a tow rig. It would be cheaper than beefing up a minivan. As far as what hitch to buy, get the hitch with the highest capacity that will fit the van. Better too much beef than not enough. Good luck...
 

Realgun

Commander
Joined
Jul 31, 2003
Messages
2,484
Re: Towing capacity

Front-Wheel Drive Trims<br /> eL LX eX LXi Limited <br /><br />Standard Towing (lb.) 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 <br />Maximum Towing (lb.) 3800 3800 3800 3800 3800 <br />Standard Payload (lb.) No data 1513 1513 1317 1260 <br />Basically if you have the 3.3 motor your towing is 1800Lbs and if the 3.8 your at 3500Lbs.<br />I will warn you however the transmissions on these vehicles are horrible towing is going to wear it our just that much faster.
 

austin123

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 16, 2004
Messages
109
Re: Towing capacity

Ok maybe I was taking it the wrong way.<br /><br />It seems like I am not even going to try to tow with this vehicle. I have had nothing but problems in the past with Dodge and Chrysler transmissions so should know better!<br /><br />My three boys are 7, 4 & 2 and basically I do not really want them in a speedboat until they can all swim which gives me time to rebuild the boat and also look at another tow vehicle. We just looked at a Suburban and decided to wait till my van is paid off and then trade it which will be in about two years. This is about how long I expect to take finishing the boat with my busy work schedule.<br /><br />Thank you all for the good replies.<br /><br />Austin.
 

garycinn

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 7, 2003
Messages
479
Re: Towing capacity

To tow with the RS Minivans ('01 and later) the rating is 2000 lbs w/o the tow package and 3800 with the tow package. Hopefully you have the 3.8 instead of the 3.3L. The most important element of the RS tow package is the tranny cooler. It can be added yourself for $50 or any tranny shop would put one in for another $100 in labor. Change the tranny fluid every year regardless of whether you tow or not and use ATF+4, no subsitutes.<br /><br /> http://www.trailerboats.com/towrati...e=Chrysler&model=Town&min_tlimit=&max_tlimit= <br /><br />Get your boat weighed at the local feed store. If you have very short tows from storage to launch and you are under the 3800 lbs, it may get you by until you can get a different tow vehicle.<br /><br />That's what I did. I only had to do it 3 or 4 times. I had the rig weighed and all wet I was over. That's when I found the Durango and the RS van is no longer relegated to towing.
 

garycinn

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 7, 2003
Messages
479
Re: Towing capacity

Brit-man,<br /><br />Personally, I wouldn't hesitate pulling an all wet rig at 3000 lbs with the van rated at 3800 lbs -- especially a short tow from storage to launch. If you are going on trips that is a different story.<br /><br />If you change your mind, let me know and I'll send you my hitch, wiring harness, drawbar, and ball that will fit your van (no drilling), N/C -- you just pay actual shipping. I'd rather see it go to a good home than go with the van when I sell it. This is the setup:<br /><br /> http://www.etrailer.com/productdetail.asp?partno=36296&vehicleid=3161&yearfrom=2002&h=e
 

Winger Ed.

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 24, 2004
Messages
649
Re: Towing capacity

With the biggest, heaviest duty trailer hitch you can get hung under it, the largest transmission cooler you can find, and the biggest radiator available that you can still close the hood on,,, it should be fine, even without a electric 'booster' fan for the radiator. <br /><br />If the engine starts to get hot, turn off the AC & double check that it isn't selected to go into overdrive, if the temp keeps going up, slow down, if it still keeps going up-- open the windows and turn on the heater to 'MAX'. <br /><br />That size boat is very similar to towing another car. Make a value judgement. If you could tow another car with your rig for however far it is you need to go--- the boat is no big deal...... especially with trailer brakes.
 

austin123

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 16, 2004
Messages
109
Re: Towing capacity

Originally posted by garycinn:<br />[QB<br />If you change your mind, let me know and I'll send you my hitch, wiring harness, drawbar, and ball that will fit your van (no drilling), N/C -- you just pay actual shipping. I'd rather see it go to a good home than go with the van when I sell it.<br />[/QB]
That's really kind of you! That would really help me in moving the boat from the side of the house to the driveway when I work on it and I also need to be able to pull it to my friends house at the lake when I store at his dock whilst I rework the trailer. How can I make contact with you about this?<br /><br />Here are a couple of pics of the boat. First boat I ever owned as being originally from England, not many people have boats and it's also too cold to go out much on any lakes there! I only paid $200 for it and the motor is like new. Has not been in the water since 1997! Lots to do!<br /><br /> http://www.stingrayboats.com/MyStingray/ppost/showgallery.php/ppuser/4399/cat/500/password/
 
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