Towing a GW Adventure 208 One Mile 4x/Year with Chrysler Minivan?

[DonW]

Hi-
I actually posted this on my minivan owner's group, with differing answers.
Looking here to see if anyone has done this.
2015 Chrysler Town and Country minivan (tow capability 3600#), towing my GW Adventure 208 (4200#) to/from the boat ramp `1/2 mile away, maybe 4x year.
Would get a heavy -duty tow hitch put on.
Doing this would free up a vehicle for better gas mileage and commuting, than my truck.
Any thoughts appreciated!

 

[Peter A]

No. Well you will probably make it. I’d expect more than 4200# with the trailer but perhaps you have weighed already. Definitely don’t add 500lbs of fuel. I would be concerned with damaging the minivan unibody or suspension. FWD will have a hard time pulling the boat out if the ramp is slick. Wouldn’t trust that Chrysler transaxle to take any heavy load.

 

[seasick]

I say its not a good idea in general but I do understand that the run is short. If the trip is not hilly and not at highway speeds, it may be OK. That said, just changing the hitch does not insure that the frame is strong enough for a studier hitch.
I also wonder if the minivan would have enough traction to haul out the boat and trailer..
The risk to the minivan is primarily overloading the transmission and/or brakes.