Towing guestion

[tim]

i have a 1993 crown vic and from what I understand it is only rated to tow 1500 lbs. I put heavy duty coil over shocks on the car and it seems pretty stiff to me? I cant even buy a heavy duty hitch for this car. Any body know what the deal is? I was going to use it to tow my S.C. to the shootout.:mad:

[yardbird]

I dont know what the 93 CV looks like regarding the bumper shocks and how they attach to the body framework. The last one I built was for an 89 Gran Marquis and it was a bolt on 2"receiver tube type. The wife has an 03 Gran Marq and at first glance, it is somewhat the same. It was at least a class III (5000 lbs). Usually the shops will fix some sort of weld on hitch, but I prefer a bolt on type, especially if I'm not trying to tow the Queen Mary.

I know the factory does not rate very highly for towing weight, but I suspect that sometimes is because they have to cover for "stoooopid" people who dont equip/prepare their tow vehicles. Of course there are safety issues, but I do not believe they are that low. I dont know if there are any laws specifying the absolutes, such as that the tow vehicle must be heavier than the towed vehicle or some percentage of, but check your state laws (usually works to call the Hwy Patrol for info). Are you towing the car on a trailer? If not, remember that on an AOD equipted car, you cannot tow without disconnecting the driveshaft------whatta pain that could be on these cars.

I got a "universal" receiver hitch from the local Costo or Sams Club that was for later cars with the bumper shocks and modified (put longer side bars for more support).

The biggest risk for towing heavy weights, is about stopping. Electric or surge brakes are a must on most stuff. Also, 3.73's or higher, tranny cooler--biggest that can be fitted, 18000 lbs rated. Dont think there is any "overkill" on that one! Again, it depends on a 1 mile tow or a 500 mile tow. LOL :)
YB

[quick35th]

Tim,

Wait a seocnd, did you just say that you were planning on towing your SC to the shootout with a Crown Vic? :confused: :eek:

Shane

[tim]

I dont care if I have to put heavy springs or a trans coller or what ever on the car. Its a lot cheaher than buying a new car. My wife drives it short hops around town. it has a hitch now but its a light one. I plan on buying a trailer in the near future. Anybody got a line on a goo used one?:confused: Even If i chagge the rear gerar its cheaper. wish I had a line on a good used cheap pickup.

[shotbirdsc]

They do make class III hitches for your car

Reese hitch part number 33047 (3500lbs weight carrying and 6000 lbs if you use weight distribution)

If you go to any RV dealer and give them 08261 part number from their Coast Distribution catalog that will get you a class III Husky hitch rated at 4000lbs weight carrying and 6000lb if you use weight distribution.

Keep in mind the hitch is rated for the weight and by putting it on it doesn't up your tow rating. Rear ends, tires, transmission gearing, engine size etc all determine what a car can tow.

On that note I've seen a few Crown Vics and Grand Marquis towing 4-5000 lbs RV's and havent had any problems. ps do the car a favour and don't tow in overdrive.

Eric

[shotbirdsc]

Draw-tite part number 41116 same weights as Reese

I should have used the edit button;)

[tim]

Wow guys thahks for the prompt answers. I looked on the net for heavy rear springs but didnt come up with anything. the hitch should do it. I wonder if I can put air bags in the back?:D

[trife86]

Just a FYE a 1990 towncar ( same platform as vic) but new body style but still 5.0 equipt. had a towing rating of 5000lb with a class 3 hitch. if a towncar is factory rated like that i see no problems with a CV

[yardbird]

If you are going to tow with a towbar, then you dont need to worry about the rear springs, but dont forget about the driveshaft if the bird is an Automatic.
If you are going to tow the car on a Trailer, then you get into electric or surge brakes and also determining just how much weight will be on the tongue of the trailer. If you go with the suggested 10-15 % of the trailer weight on the tongue then ~3800 lbs + 1500/2000 for the trailer, then you have about 700 + lbs on the tongue, which will require an equalizer hitch.
You might be able to get by with air bags on the rear of the CV and go without an equalizer hitch, but stability will suffer. Towing that much weight for any distance will require prepping the tow vehicle for the stress, tranny cooler, probably gears etc. If you try to trailer without very much weight on the tongue of the trailer, you will have the trailer driving the car on bad roads. There will be conditions where the weight shifting of the trailer will lift the rear of the car, which can be very dangerous, especially in a curve----it can put you in the ditch or off the side ---bigtime!!
As the weight of the towed load approaches or exceeds the tow vehicle, conditions require that a larger percentage of the trailer weight be transfered to the tow vehicle. The CV with fuel, people and some gear, probably approaches 5000 lbs. Given that much weight, you will not be able to transfer much trailer weight as you will surpass the GVWR of the CV, regardless of what springs you put on it.
People get by with exceeding the weight ratings (dont forget about axle ratings as well on the CV), but it can be a bigtime problem if the DOT for some state stops you and checks. Looking at the chart for the 2006 vehicles, the CV max trailer weights have not changed (1500 lbs). I dont know how legally binding that is, except that going over may void warranties---not a problem on your 93. Here is where you need to become familiar with all the weight ratings of the CV, per axle and gross total. Except for very short trips, I would advise going the route of a more substantial tow vehicle. If you like to tow to races and plan to keep doing it for a while, then you will like it much better if you get a good tow vehicle :)

You may be able to "get by" for a long time without much effort, but all it takes is one little screw-up, or one a~~h~~e other driver and you can mess up your life and others as well. Remember that you are rolling with around 10,000-12,000 lbs of weight and it dosnt do anything quickly, except get out of your control. :( LOL
YB

[Nettlesd]

So, I take it I shouldn't tow with the Yugo?

[yardbird]

naw man, Yugo's fine-----install an ejection seat and get your papers in order :D

[Mike8675309]

The issue with the Crown vic is going to be the brakes and the AOD. Neither are up to pulling 4500lbs behind and also being able to stop.

Get a big trans cooler. Crank up the rear shocks, and use an equalizer on the trailer with electric brakes and you could be good to go. Maybe check and see if you can mod the trans to improve the overdrive band holding power. That would be your most likely issue, burning up overdrive.

Those Crown Vics have some beefy frames under them so they should be able to pull something pretty well. It's just the rest of the car that's not built to do it.

[tim]

After further review I am now looking for a 3/4 ton van or pickup.

[Randy N Connie]

After further review I am now looking for a 3/4 ton van or pickup.

Now you talkin. but your probably looking at a Chevy or Dodge.

But maybe not, since you have that Ricegringing car in the driveway.
H$ll you just as well pick up a ricegrinder truck. to match that rice
car. :)

Then you can buy some WALTRIP Bothers ricegrindin nascar shirts.
And be cool looking :cool:

Randy :D

[yardbird]

I would agree with stupid, but that may be me :D As Mike said, you can make the CV work, but will spend a little $$$ to make it right. Mike, i will question the 4500 lbs, "cause" that would only allow for about a 600 lb trailer. I think he would be hard pressed to get a trailer that weighs less than 1000 lbs, but will not challenge that too much :) I think that, if you can swing it, and plan to do a good bit of trailering to races (which sounds great to me) you will be much happer with a truck, or even and Expedition type vehicle which still can haul family/kids/dog/coolers/etc. Guess I better look at your profile, ------whats this "Ricegrinder" stuff :D
YB

[Mike8675309]

I'm currently shopping for a 3/4 ton with a diesel motor. Late model Ford F250, or a 2500 dodge with the cummins. yeah, should have said close to 6k. My Durango with the 318 strugged to pull my 93 home on a trailer, but was able to do it. Stopping was the biggest issue as the stock brakes would fade nearly immediately.

[yardbird]

Yea, I'm looking for something myself. This 93 Bronco isnt the best for haulin people. Does a good job with my 26' boat (back when I used it!) 5200 lbs "dry" + triaxle alum trailer. Looking at Expeditions w/5.4 and 3.73's. Even looked (last year) at an Excursion w/6.0 turbo diesel----just a little too big. Looks like all the diesels put out a bunch of torque plus the external controllers add to that. One of these days I'll get back on my bird. Been watchin your discussions w/DD on pistons!!:)
YB

[Mike8675309]

hit a dealership and check out some of the 3/4 ton crew cab trucks from Dodge/Ford/GM With the 6-3/4 bed they aren't too bad for size, have lots of room inside, and tow like crazy with the diesel.

Forgot one thing to consider. A Ford Heavy Half or 3/4 with the 5 speed and the 300ci Straight 6. Those things get decent fuel mileage when towing and will tow a suprising load. You can pick up a late 80's model fairly cheap and the motor will run forever.

[Randy N Connie]

Tim why are you not going to use your big truck?
Wouldn't it be easier to install a ballhitch on it.for
a smaller trailer.

If you could score a fifthwheel car hauler trailer ,
I would buy a space to be hauled to and from the
shootout..

Randy

[tim]

Mack gets 5 mpg. Fuel is over $3.00 a gallon. It would cost me an arm and a leg to go to the shootout. I have a line on a 94 suburban with a class 3 hitch 4 wheel drive really nice shape. $3000 and my crown vic. :eek: