What is the maximum towing capacity of a Dodge Charger, And what kind of trailers, boats, or jet skis can it actually tow? In this article, we explain all the ins and outs of the Dodge Chargers’ towing. First, let us give you a quick answer:
A sixth-generation Dodge Charger that was produced between 2006 – 2010 has a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds. The seventh-generation Dodge Charger produced between 2011 – present has a towing capacity of 1,000 pounds.
However, that doesn’t tell you the whole story. In the table below, we’ll first explain the maximum towing capacity of this car based on the model year and the available engine types. After that, we also made a list of 22 different types of trailers and told you when the Charger can tow that trailer and when not.
Also read: The Expected Mileage Of A Dodge Charger
Maximum Towing Capacity Per Year
First of all, it’s important to discuss the maximum towing capacity of the Dodge Charger. In the table below, we’ve outlined the different model years of the Charger and how many pounds it can tow. It’s good to know that each model year only has one maximum towing capacity and that there are no differences within model years.
What we found is that there are two different categories. The sixth-generation Dodge Charger, produced between 2006 – 2010, has a maximum towing capacity of 2,000 pounds. This goes for the 2.7 L V6 and the 5.8 L and 6.1 L V8.
After this first generation, Dodge changed the car’s structure, which meant that from 2011 onwards, the Charger could only tow 1,000 pounds. This goes for both the 3.6 and the 6.4 L engines. Since then, no changes have been made to the towing capacity.
Also read: Is The Dodge Charger AWD, RWD Or FWD?
| Year | Maximum Towing Capacity Dodge Charger (lbs) |
| 2021 | 1,000 |
| 2020 | 1,000 |
| 2019 | 1,000 |
| 2018 | 1,000 |
| 2017 | 1,000 |
| 2016 | 1,000 |
| 2015 | 1,000 |
| 2014 | 1,000 |
| 2013 | 1,000 |
| 2012 | 1,000 |
| 2011 | 1,000 |
| 2010 | 2,000 |
| 2009 | 2,000 |
| 2008 | 2,000 |
| 2007 | 2,000 |
| 2006 | 2,000 |
Also read:
- Dodge Dakota Towing Capacity
- Dodge Challenger Towing Capacity
- Dodge Grand Caravan Towing Capacity
- Dodge Nitro Towing Capacity
- Dodge Journey Towing Capacity
Can A Dodge Charger Tow A Camper Trailer, Boat Or Jet Ski?
Besides the maximum towing capacity, it’s also essential to know what practical implications this has for you as a (future) Dodge Charge owner. Therefore, we created the table below in which we’ve identified the weight of 22 different trailers and checked if the Dodge Charger can safely pull those. In short, we found the following:
The seventh-generation Dodge Charger is capable of towing a canoe/kayak trailer. The sixth-generation Dodge Charger can also tow a jet ski trailer. All other trailers are too heavy to pull when loaded because they will quickly exceed 2,000 pounds.
However, this doesn’t tell the whole story. Below you find the table with all the necessary information. Furthermore, below this table, you’ll find extra information clarifying what can be pulled and the maximum expected weight of a certain trailer and if the Charger can pull this safely.
| Trailer Type | Average Empty Weight (lbs.) | Average Total Loaded Weight (lbs.) | Can A Dodge Charger Tow It? |
| Canoe / Kayak Trailer | 200 | 400 | Yes |
| Jet Ski Trailer | 300 | 1,800 | Yes, only first generation |
| Motorcycle Trailer | 500 | 2,400 | Yes, only empty |
| Teardrop Trailer | 1,700 | 2,400 | Yes, only first-generation and empty |
| Small Open Utility Trailer | 700 | 2,500 | Yes, only empty |
| A-Frame Camper | 1,700 | 2,900 | Yes, only first-generation and empty |
| Small Enclosed Utility Trailer | 1,000 | 3,200 | Yes, only empty |
| Fishing Boat Trailer | 600 | 3,300 | Yes, only empty |
| Pop Up Camper | 2,300 | 3,400 | No |
| Small Travel Trailer | 2,800 | 3,600 | No |
| Tow Dolly | 600 | 4,000 | Yes, only empty |
| Large Enclosed Utility Trailer | 2,700 | 7,100 | No |
| Small Horse Trailer | 2,900 | 7,200 | No |
| Large Travel Trailer | 6,700 | 8,300 | No |
| Car Trailer | 1,900 | 9,000 | Yes, only empty and the first generation |
| Large Flatbed Trailer | 3,000 | 10,400 | No |
| Large Boat Trailer | 2,200 | 13,600 | No |
| Dump Trailer | 4,500 | 16,900 | No |
| Toy Hauler | 7,600 | 17,900 | No |
| Large Livestock Trailer | 7,300 | 18,700 | No |
| 5th Wheel Camper | 12,700 | 18,700 | No |
| Gooseneck Flatbed Trailer | 7,200 | 23,200 | No |
- Kayak: All Dodge Chargers will be able to tow a kayak trailer. On average an empty kayak trailer will weigh 200 pounds. A loaded kayak trailer will weigh an average of 400 pound with a maximum of 800 pounds which is well within the range of the Dodge Charger.
- Jet Ski Trailer: the 2006 – 2010 Dodge Charger will be able to tow a jet ski trailer. On average an empty jet ski trailer will weigh 300 pounds. A loaded jet ski trailer will weigh an average of 1,800 pounds which is within the range of the first-generation Dodge Charger. Some jet ski trailers will weigh 3,000 pounds and will be to heavy.
- Motorcycle Trailer: A Dodge Charger will be able to tow an empty motorcycle trailer. On average an empty motorcycle trailer will weigh 500 pounds. A loaded motorcycle trailer will weigh an average of 2,400 pounds with a maximum of 3,500 which is too heavy for the Dodge Charger.
- Teardrop Trailer: the 2006 – 2010 Dodge Charger will be able to tow an empty teardrop trailer. On average an empty teardrop trailer will weigh 1,700 pounds. A loaded teardrop trailer will weigh an average of 2,400 pounds with a maximum of 6,000 pounds which is too heavy for the Dodge Charger.
- Small Open Utility Trailer: A Dodge Charger will be able to tow an empty small open utility trailer. On average an empty small open utility trailer will weigh 700 pounds. A loaded small open utility trailer will weigh an average of 2,500 pounds with a maximum of 3,000 which is too heavy for the Dodge Charger.
- A-Frame Camper: the 2006 – 2010 Dodge Charger will be able to tow an empty a-frame camper. On average an empty a-frame camper will weigh 1,700 pounds. A loaded a-frame camper will weigh an average of 2,900 pounds with a maximum of 3,600 pounds which is too heavy for the Dodge Charger.
- Small Enclosed Utility Trailer: A Dodge Charger will be able to tow an empty small enclosed utility trailer. On average an empty small enclosed utility trailer will weigh 1,000 pounds. A loaded small enclosed utility trailer will weigh an average of 3,200 pounds with a maximum of 7,000 which is too heavy for the Dodge Charger.
- Fishing Boat Trailer: A Dodge Charger will be able to tow an empty fishing boat trailer. On average an empty fishing boat trailer will weigh 600 pounds. A loaded fishing boat trailer will weigh an average of 3,300 pounds with a maximum of 6,000 which is too heavy for the Dodge Charger.
- Tow Dolly: A Dodge Charger will be able to tow an empty tow dolly. On average an empty tow dolly will weigh 600 pounds. A loaded tow dolly will weigh an average of 4,000 pounds with a maximum of 5,000 which is too heavy for the Dodge Charger.
- Car Trailer: the 2006 – 2010 Dodge Charger will be able to tow an car trailer. On average an empty car trailer will weigh 1,900 pounds. A loaded car trailer will weigh an average of 9,000 pounds with a maximum of 15,000 pounds which is too heavy for the Dodge Charger.
Also read: 19 Common Problems Of A Dodge Charger
How Well Can A Dodge Charger Tow Compared To Its Competitors?
To know whether or not a Dodge Charger is actually a good or bad car when it comes to how much it can tow, we must compare it to its competitors. Below we’ve outlined the minimum and maximum towing capacity of four of its main competitors.
We found that the low towing capacity of one of the most recent Dodge Chargers is certainly not strange. Actually, the 1,000-pound maximum seems to be the norm for this kind of car. This indicates that car manufacturers are not focused on maximum towing capacity for these cars.
| Year / Make / Model | Min. Towing Capacity (lbs.) | Max. Towing Capacity (lbs.) |
| 2020 Dodge Charger | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| 2020 Ford Taurus | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| 2020 Chrylser 300 | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| 2019 Buick LaCrosse | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| 2020 Chevrolet Impala | 1,000 | 1,000 |
Why Can The Dodge Charger Tow So Little?
Many people wonder why a Dodge Charger that’s able to produce 292 hp at the bare minimum is only capable of towing 1,000 pounds. The reason for this is quite simple: towing means much more than just having a high number of horsepower or torque.
In the case of the Dodge Charger, both the frame and the drivetrain aren’t made for towing heavier loads. If you tow a load that’s heavier than advised, this may bend or break the frame of your car. It could also put too much strain on the brakes (because the car needs to stop more weight) or damage the transmission (which also needs to handle more weight).
It could still be that the Dodge Charger can tow more without damage, but this does mean you’ll take on extra risk. If something breaks, Dodge will identify that you towed more than advised, which means the repair costs are all yours.
Hi! My name is Stefan; I’m the owner and lead writer at TheDriverAdviser.com.
I’m an active writer on this blog myself, as well as a novice car mechanic. For the really technical stuff, I find writers with experience as a mechanic or who have studied mechanical engineering.
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