Question for Challenger 180 Owners

[wilyum]

Im looking at picking one up a few hours away and am wondering if my 3.3L V6 Grand Caravan can handle it. The towing capacity is 1800lbs, with a challenger 1900lbs dry and that's not including the trailer or fuel. Anyone else towing their 180 with a smaller SUV?

 

[go_panthers]

I wouldn't try it, if it were my tow vehicle. It is more about frame strength and braking, than horsepower.


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[racerxxx]

Not knowing what year your van is, we tow with our 2010 Routan on long trips to keep the family "comfortable". I did buy it with the tow package which was the 4 liter engine, HD cooling and nivomat rear shocks to keep the ass end level when loaded. As far as frame strength and brakes, they're the same. Only diff is the cooling system and rear suspension. Again, not knowing what year your van is doesn't help. That being said, by specs your van is under by manufacturers specifications. You get into an accident and the authorities investigate it might not look to good. My Speedster is probably 200# lighter than what you're inquiring about. Your best bet would be to NOT tow with that vehicle.

Yes the ass is squatted in this pic, it takes a few miles for the Nivomats to fill and raise the height. The over night they will bleed back.

In case you're curious about Nivomats
http://www.brakeandfrontend.com/nivomat-shock-absorbers-self-leveling-monotube-ride-control-units/

 

[Mudnman]

I can pick the tung up off the ground,it doesn't weigh that much.Stopping is the issue.With trailer and fuel you might be 1500lbs over your 1800 LIMiT.Id rent a truck or hire a driver/transporter.Better yet buy it delivered.

 

[go_panthers]

Being able to pick up the tongue of a trailer doesn't indicate the total weight of the load. It just indicates that the weight is balanced over the wheels. Move the boat forward on the trailer, and the tongue gets heavier. Move the boat back far enough, and the tongue will come up on its own.


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[xintersecty]

I tow with my 3L 2WD ford ranger. It tows ok. I had the engine replaced and it's crap. So if I can tow with that your caravan will do ok.

 

[timeman]

Most likely manufacturers rate load capacity on the low side, (part of engineering 101 CYA)Frame, hitch & engine are "probably" up to the job, but on uphills your tranny(and it's cooler) may not be, worse when you roll over the crest and start going downhill, the boat might become a pile driver overpowering the stopping capacity of your brakes...(or at least frying them and your rotors). I'd get a different tow vehicle....

 

[David Young]

I would say 'it will tow it with no problem'. When i was young (and dumb ) i towed a 16 foot runabout with a Opel Manta (90 horsepower 4 cylinder). My hitch was a universal bumper clamp hitch. Never had any problems

 

[Mudnman]

If Op does tow it ,how old is your break fluid? Is it black and water contaminated or an air bubble ?
I've towed over weight and wasn't fun without trailer breaks.Havent sence! Was over weight for breaking.Truck would have pulled it up a mountain.

 

[rcguy]

Im looking at picking one up a few hours away and am wondering if my 3.3L V6 Grand Caravan can handle it. The towing capacity is 1800lbs, with a challenger 1900lbs dry and that's not including the trailer or fuel. Anyone else towing their 180 with a smaller SUV?

Your auto is for going to the supermarket with the children. You need a truck with braking power. The last time I looked my 180 trailer had no brakes. Your tongue weight should be 10 percent of your load.

 

[moochy]

Your auto is for going to the supermarket with the children. You need a truck with braking power. The last time I looked my 180 trailer had no brakes. Your tongue weight should be 10 percent of your load.

Get the trailer upgraded and get hydraulic lines and disc brakes fitted. Will cost you around 700. You can then probably get away with running a more borderline vehicle safely. It's law here in Australia to have boat as heavy as a C180 complied with trailer brakes.