Towing

Don't think it matters what sort of 4x4 it is, the closer you go to the max capacity the harder it gets..
I personally wouldn't like to go above 2/3 of the max to be on the safe side !!
There is no doubt a few out there towing on the limit, just glad its not me !!
And if you are one of them, please move over and let me thru !!!!!!

I have a 96 pajero, so similar chassis.
Rated to 2500kg.
I tow anything from box trailers (less than 700kg), C/Trailer (900kg), caravan like you at about 1100 to 1200 kg, and have towed boats up to 2300kg on a regular basis.

As you seem to guess, once you start getting over 1500kg, and closer to 2000kg, towing becomes a matter of being more careful. With that sort of load, braking distances and speed up hills does become an issue. Generally I don't go over 80km/hr. Might ocassionally touch 90. You can do it, and over long distances (500km plus per day), but you are putting more load on your vehicle and you need to have higher level of concentration. You are looking for ways to minimise your obstruction to others on the road by using the left lane on overtaking lanes and letting people through.

So I think you are guessing right, if you go for a van of 2000kg, you may need to review your vehicle. Depending on where you are taking the van, which type of roads, and how often. Do you have a chance to 'borrow' a van of that weight and try it out on your vehicle? How the van is set up for weight distribution and balance also makes a dfiference. I would suggest part of looking for a new van is to take a similar model for a tow to see what it is like.

So do you need a van of 2000 to 2500kg? I have a friend who has one, tows it with a range rover sport, but he has always driven RRs. :o) Has no problems, but me, I would keep away from vans that size. They can't go where I want to go.:o)

Hi Chris,
I had a 2003 Manual Challenger. Towed a car-on-trailer a fair bit, probably a dozen trips between 120k and 500k each trip. The loaded trailer weighed 1900kg all up and had over ride brakes.

Coming down Cunninghams Gap or Toowoomba Range were "challenging" as the motor is quite a free revving unit - thus using low gears wasn't enough to slow the progress - quite a lot of brake pedal was needed as well - and the brakes on the trailer were doing their bit too. If the van has electric brakes that may help.

I didn't use the Hayman Reece weight distribution hitch but did replace the rear springs with progressive rate King springs. They slotted straight in and did the job wonderfully of keeping the loaded rig level. (having said that - I use the WDH now and if I had the Challenger again, I would use the Kings & WDH).

In all honesty, I would not personnally be too keen on towing upward of the 1900kg - given that the Challenger is not constant 4wd - I just like all wheels having a tug when you hit a whoopsie in the road which throws everything off course.

If you are looking at towing a heavy van off road, I would be a little concerned that the clutch might not like the many gear changes that are often required in that environment.

HTH's

Thank you all very much for your help. I guess the best way is as you said plod, take a test drive first. maybe I should be looking at vans closer to 1500kgs

Regards

Chris