Tow Vehicle

[WillyHoss]

Recently bought a 2004 Lund 1800 Explorer SS, with a Yamaha F115, and Trailmaster 3000 lb. cap trailer. Wondering if I'm going to have problems towing this vehicle with my 2001 Dodge Caravan with the V6 option. Anyone have thoughts on this?

[WillyHoss]

Recently bought a 2004 Lund 1800 Explorer SS, with a Yamaha F115, and Trailmaster 3000 lb. cap trailer. Wondering if I'm going to have problems towing this vehicle with my 2001 Dodge Caravan with the V6 option. Anyone have thoughts on this?

[Das Boot 3]

Your minivan will tow, but all areas of performance will be marginal. Sone of the biggest issues will be acceleration and brakes, If you add brakes to the trailer, it could be a livesaver. If you limit yourself to short tows and good launching ramps you will be OK. The life of the van could be affected - minivans aren't designed to tow 3000lbs of trailer. I tow a CL Sportfish 1850 that is similar in size and weight with a GMC K1500 (5.3 V8) and a Expedition (5.4 V8). On windy days the trailer is a noticeable load even on these trucks. I have seen some interesting evolutions at the landing as people with minivans attempt to pull out their boats :)
If you have a choice - get a truck or SUV for towing duty.

[Orange Whip]

I'm sure the vehicle is capable of towing this boat as I tow a Pro V 2025 with a Nissan Pathfinder 6 cylinder but I did install an Air Lift suspension in the rear with a control gauge inside the Nissan.

No sag what so ever in my trucks suspension. I also went with a Road Wing rock protector to prevent chips. Just make sure you cut the wing so it does not drag otherwise the wing will kick rocks into the boat.

Works great. I would also do a trans vac to change all of the oil in the transmission and possibly look into synthetic oil for your Dodges tran if the factory allows.

Maybe also talk to a transmission shop and get their opinion.

Best of luck!

[Orange Whip]

Of course as mentioned the trailer brakes are a good idea.

[Willyhoss]

Thanks Guys, I was afraid that would be the response. Appreciate the info

[Jerry B]

>Of course as mentioned the trailer brakes are a good idea.


i used to tow a 2400 lb camper with mine(grand caravan with factory tow pkg) and i would tell you that trailer brakes are needed, if you have them then i think you will be ok for short runs in fairly flat terrain. forget long highway runs or hilly areas.

jerry

[Fin]

Have a trany cooler put on.

[Willyhoss]

Thanks guys, I've pretty much decided not to try it since most of our fishing is in Northern WI and NW Ontario. Long haul from IL. Thanks for the onfo anyway.

[alanexpup]

the vehicles are so marginal at that end of the spectrum that you really need to order the vehilce with a tow package. If you have any thought that you might tow something in the future get the tow package.