plymouth voyager for towing ?

[ctbassmaster2008]

So im considering buying my first bass boat but i only have a 93 minivan that i can use to tow it .... Im thinking about getting the new stratos 176 xt its the entry level model with the little 50 hp yamaha out board motor   do you guys think its possible ?

[James Heddon]

I "did in" the transmission of a Dodge Caravan with Front Wheel Drive by pulling a pop-up camper. It took time (more than a few outings) buy I did it.  Also, I was informed that with such a set-up I would have most likely jack knifed had I attempted a "panic stop".  A very scarry thought considering I had my kids in the minivan with me.  My lesson learned was:  Don't believe any salesman that says:

"Sure!  You can pull what I have to sell with the vehicle you're driving!"

[cart7t]

That 15 year old mini-van has how many miles on it?

Sorry, even the entry level 176 Stratos is going to be too much for a 15 year old vehicle that was never really designed as a trailer hauler to begin with.

Get yourself a real tow vehicle and then a boat.  

[Gatorbassman]

Welcome to the forums.

Don't put the chicken before the egg.

You need a good tow vehicle first and that van won't cut it unless you want to settle for a Jon Boat.

[Jig Man]

So im considering buying my first bass boat but i only have a 93 minivan that i can use to tow it .... Im thinking about getting the new stratos 176 xt its the entry level model with the little 50 hp yamaha out board motor do you guys think its possible ?

A lot depends on how your van is set up.  My wife had a Ford Windstar and used it to pull her 19' deck boat all over our area for several years.  She also used it to pull my 21' bass boat on trips from MO to Mississippi and Texas.  She had no problems but both boat trailers had trailer brakes which kept stopping from being a big issue.  If you pull very far you need a tranny cooler and don't use the highest gear (shift it down one).

[ctbassmaster2008]

thanks for the replys guys the trailer is going to have the optional brakes put into it I would love to get a nice truck to tow the boat but i have my first love the wrx so i dont think it would be practical for me to go spend 10gs on a truck right now

[Grey Wolf]

thanks for the replys guys the trailer is going to have the optional brakes put into it I would love to get a nice truck to tow the boat but i have my first love the wrx so i dont think it would be practical for me to go spend 10gs on a truck right now

If you buy that boat , I wish you luck hauling it. Be very careful.

[cart7t]

thanks for the replys guys the trailer is going to have the optional brakes put into it I would love to get a nice truck to tow the boat but i have my first love the wrx so i dont think it would be practical for me to go spend 10gs on a truck right now

I just looked up the specs on a 2000 Plymouth Grand Voyager mini van.  It's max rated trailer tow rating is 1674lbs.  thats braked!  That 176XT, fully loaded will easily surpass that.  Not to mention the fact your van is old.  I wouldn't even think about towing a boat that large with a vehicle that old which isn't even rated to tow something that big to begin with.  I would seriously consider looking at aluminum boats.  

[Micro]

You might be able to tow it with that vehicle. But with all that weight on the rear of a front drive vehicle you may not be able to get it back up a ramp.

You don't need to spend 10G on a tow vehicle. You can get a decent used pickup that's more than suitable for a few Gs.

[ctbassmaster2008]

thanks for all the replys guys when i looked up the towing capacity in the owners manual it said 2000lbs and the boat fully loaded was about 2100lbs so you guys might be right but either way my gf has a grand cherokee so i guess she will just have to deal with the minivan on fishing days ;D

[Micro]

thanks for all the replys guys when i looked up the towing capacity in the owners manual it said 2000lbs and the boat fully loaded was about 2100lbs so you guys might be right but either way my gf has a grand cherokee so i guess she will just have to deal with the minivan on fishing days ;D

Keep her happy.  Otherwise your boat might become a nice lawn decoration.  

[cart7t]

thanks for all the replys guys when i looked up the towing capacity in the owners manual it said 2000lbs and the boat fully loaded was about 2100lbs so you guys might be right but either way my gf has a grand cherokee so i guess she will just have to deal with the minivan on fishing days ;D

Whoa..

Hold the phone here.  

You have a girl friend?  

You mean you're not married and you drive a minivan???!!!  

[Micro]

Whoa..

Hold the phone here.

You have a girl friend?

You mean you're not married and you drive a minivan???!!!

Sometimes I miss the obvious.  I didn't want to believe it, but I checked, and you are spot on!

[Kansas Angler]

i wouldnt suggest it

[BassinDave]

Just my $.02

I have known a few people that towed with Chrysler mini vans and have had problems with the transmission, some multiple catastophic failures. Be careful !!

[ctbassmaster2008]

I think you guys missed what i said i drive a subaru wrx sti the van is just something i got for free for the winter while my car is in storage thanks for the embaressment though i needed that !

[Micro]

for the embaressment though i needed that !

No problem, brutha!  

[Diablos]

It's all about personal priorities.

You gotta ask yourself: Do I want a very nice bass boat and a capable tow vehicle or a very nice vehicle and no bass boat?

Most guys here I assume will take so-so vehicle and boat.

[tntitans21399]

If all else you could find a old pickup for about $2000-less.  I had a $800 1500 GMC with the 350 V8, it might when any car shows, but it ran and could haul anything I threw at it.  So you if you have parking room, and can afford a extra $2000, you might want to think about just getting a cheap truck just to tow the boat.  You can keep it hooked up to the boat, and just hop in it and go.