Future: Towing Dodge Charger Hellcat with 2014 AWD v8 Durango

clayton006 · Sep 4, 2016

So I'm going to be picking up a Hellcat in less than two years (been given permission to do so from the lady in charge). My question is more wondering if my 2014 AWD R/T Durango with factory tow package will be able to handle it. The car weighs a little over 4600. Not sure if I could use a u-haul trailer as it wouldn't have trailer brakes (other than surge braking), and the weight would be close to the Durango max? This is just based on my limited reading. I would probably have 3 other people in the car with me and two suitcases.

I would mostly take it from Ohio to the Carolinas as that's where some family lives. I'd be driving through the hills of Virginia and West Virginia.

Thoughts on this? Should I be looking to borrow a car trailer from someone that can tap into my braking system vs. the surge brakes? Does this trailer need to come with a WDH? Will the u-haul trailer be up to the task providing the Charger will fit on it?

Thanks for the help!

tomk · Sep 4, 2016

Lots going on here.

First, a uhaul trailer won't support a weight-distributing hitch or sway control. For a short haul you can probably get away with that, but FCA says over 3500lb you need a WDH, and certainly once you're up in the 5000lb range you'll want a WDH. Even one trip from Ohio to the Carolinas with a uhaul trailer is going to be an adventure.. you'd surely never want to repeat it.

You never tap into the tow vehicle brakes; the trailer has electric brakes, and there is a brake controller in the tow vehicle that works the trailer brakes.

If you borrowed a friends trailer, you'd probably have to get your own compatible ball-mount and set it up for the combo of your vehicle and his trailer. You can't just take your buddies ball mount and hitch up, the WDH will be badly screwed up.

Sway control makes a huge difference on the highway, hopefully Bryali will chime in with his experiences, but you can read at http://www.dodgedurango.net/forums/...orums/durango-towing/22442-weight-distribution-setup-post254890.html#post254890

Z06Trev · Sep 4, 2016

My 2016 owners manual states that above 5000 lb requires a weight distribution hitch. But whether the weight is 3500 lbs or 5000 lbs, his setup will exceed the limit and he should definitely consider using a weight distributing hitch.

Copied from my 2016 owners manual:

WARNING!
If the gross trailer weight is 5,000 lbs (2 267 kg) or more, it is mandatory to use a weight-distributing hitch to ensure stable handling of your vehicle. If you use a standard weight-carrying hitch, you could lose control of your vehicle and cause a collision.

tomk · Sep 5, 2016

FYI the number in the '14 OM is 3500lb.

Citadel Brian · Sep 4, 2016

just buy your own trailer!

clayton006 · Sep 5, 2016

Yeah problem is with buying my own trailer is that my HOA won't allow me to keep it out in the open for more than 7 days, so I'd have to find somewhere / someone to store it.

Thanks Tomk for the info. I was aware about how the brakes work and that a WDH wouldn't work / come with a u-haul trailer. It sounds like I just need to purchase a trailer and find someone who will keep it safe.

So assuming I do buy a lightweight trailer, the Durango should be up to the task of pulling the Hellcat with the proper WDH installed?

RangoLimited · Sep 5, 2016

The development that my house is in has a deed restriction that is similar. It states that owned trailers/campers must not be visible from the road. For me, I pull my camper and landscape trailers just behind the garage along the tree line. But I plan to pave the side of the garage for the camper, so I'm gonna plant arborvitaes along the road and they can kiss my butt if they don't like it lol. Maybe you can do something similar

clayton006 · Sep 5, 2016

So just so I'm clear, if I get the right trailer with a WDH, with a hellcat charger coming in at 4600+ lbs should the Durango be able to tow this without major issue?

Bryali · Sep 5, 2016

I use our 2014 RT to tow my 2006 Charger SRT regularly. I use a Reese WD/SC and a Tekonsha P3 controller and it handles it just fine.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Bryali · Sep 5, 2016

The drivetrain is holding up so far. I know the trans and t-case won't hold up forever but hopefully I have a year or two before I have to address all that. I've got a move coming up next summer and I really just need to get through that before any major projects on the cars.

I do have a vacuum/boost leak that shows up when the engine gets hot but it's not enough to trip any codes or mess with AFR or anything like that. We put the smoke machine to it and after a few minutes it started *very slowly* leaking out from between the blower case and the lower manifold pan--at least that's our best guess. I really need to pull the blower and inspect/replace the o-rings but I just don't know if I'll get to it any time soon. It runs fine, we're just losing max power.

MJB8 · Sep 5, 2016

I recall seeing this everywhere a few years back, all over Dodge Websites. Internet never lies............

clayton006 · Sep 9, 2016

Yeah I remember seeing that too, just curious what it would take to get there!

MJB8 · Sep 9, 2016

V8 with tow package , electric brake controller and properly set up trailer and weight distributing hitch.

And a nice challanger

Future: Towing Dodge Charger Hellcat with 2014 AWD v8 Durango

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