Not only did this Dodge Caravan owner tow a 4,500 pound boat, it was hitched to a trailer that probably added another 1,000 pounds.
When you have to haul an enormous Bayliner that can haul close to a dozen people on the open seas, you’d think a good ol’ Ford F-150 would be the bare minimum for your towing duties. Well, this Bayliner owner proved you wrong because they used their soccer mom-spec Dodge Caravan to tow this enormous boat at highway speeds, zero f***s given.
Check out the hilarious but kind of dangerous photo below.
Natchez Richburg, the person quick enough to whip out their iPhone to catch this anomaly in towing history, did not specify where he saw this tow combo worthy of a “Bud Light- Real men of genius” nominee. Presumably (poking around his Facebook) Nathan probably spotted this around Norfolk, Virginia.
One keen eyed commenter even pointed out that this Caravan doesn’t even have a load distributing hitch. When you’re maxing out your tow hitch rating, a load distributing hitch is absolutely necessary.
Don’t get me wrong, the Dodge Caravan is a fine towing vehicle in its own right. With a powerful Pentastar V6 doling out all its 283 HP and 260 lb-ft, the Caravan has power numbers comparable to most mid-sized trucks.
The Honda Ridgeline, a unibody truck that can tow up to 5,000 pounds, has just as much power.
But FCA engineers in their infinite wisdom gave the Dodge Caravan a 3,600 pound tow rating, a number that has the right amount of safety margins for those adventurous towers.
4,000 pounds OK.
4,300 pounds and a bit more, well you’re pushing it.
But over 5,000 pounds with a Bayliner and trailer, brother, you’re pushing it.
If you’re wondering how I came up with 4,500 pounds for the Bayliner, notoriously light fiberglass boats, I’m referencing Bayliner 2452, a boat of similar size and build.
Unibody vehicles, as opposed to tow happy ladder frame trucks, can tow some sizeable loads when equipped correctly.
Unibody-based SUVs, crossovers, and trucks like the Honda Ridgeline that can tow a Bayliner and trailer have usually come equipped with AWD, transmission coolers, competent tires, and an overall engineering structure that can handle some abuse.
The Dodge Caravan is…a van. It’s FWD-only, doesn’t have an ATF cooler, and has a set of touring tires. I’m sure FCA engineers did not imagine some Dodge Caravan owners would tow large boats. Small boats? Sure. But a Bayliner with bridge? Probably not.
This Dodge Caravan owner bravely towed just as much weight but his trailer has the correct hitch and trailer brakes. Still, sketchy, but slightly safer.
If you’re going to tow this much and don’t have a truck, borrow one or go to U-Haul. Don’t use your Caravan. You’ll probably burn out your transmission or worse, lose control.
