Urgent towing question
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2003
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Urgent towing question
I have a caprice station wagon and I found an identical parts station wagon. My question is, is it safe to tow this wagon with my wagon?
I have 5.7L engine with 4L60 tranny and 3.23 rear axle ratio. I know about towing in 3rd vs. overdrive. I don't particularly care about the tranny I have now since it will be replaced anyway. But I don't want to damage the engine.
It has class III towing package rated for 5,000 lbs but the wagon weights 4500 lbs plus the tow dolly must weight 1,000 lbs.
I have a F250 truck rated to tow 10K lbs but due to the distance I would prefer to use the wagon due to better mileage (one way, at least).
Plus, I went to the Uhaul web site and they said they have no equipment to tow something as heavy as Caprice wagon.
I have 5.7L engine with 4L60 tranny and 3.23 rear axle ratio. I know about towing in 3rd vs. overdrive. I don't particularly care about the tranny I have now since it will be replaced anyway. But I don't want to damage the engine.
It has class III towing package rated for 5,000 lbs but the wagon weights 4500 lbs plus the tow dolly must weight 1,000 lbs.
I have a F250 truck rated to tow 10K lbs but due to the distance I would prefer to use the wagon due to better mileage (one way, at least).
Plus, I went to the Uhaul web site and they said they have no equipment to tow something as heavy as Caprice wagon.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Summit, NJ
I've never towed before, but it sounds like you are already over the safe limit with the setup on the wagon. If it were me I would take the more cautious route and tow it with the truck. I wouldn't want that car to let go on a highway. Also, places that rent RV's might have stuff.. I always see cars getting towed on Dolly's or trailers. Also try Ryder, etc.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,543
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From: Georgia
First how far are you going to be actually towing?
Your engine will hold up just fine. The 351W 5.7 is a strong engine.
a couple hundred pounds over towing capacity won't hurt. I'm surprised to see a tow dolly weigh a 1000 pounds though, but it could.
**on edit** Their is no way a uhaul tow dolly weighs that much, It will only weigh a couple hundred pounds. One person could lift it if it wasn't built strange. 2 people can lift it with ease. **end edit**
tell them you need the tow dolly for a smaller car, say Mustang, Escort, whatever. Uhaul says you can't tow this or that because they don't want to take the chance to damage their crappy equipment.
Put the front wheels of the car your towing on the dolly & strap them down. Cralw underneath & remove the drive shaft.
Your ready to tow, it will weigh the back end of your car down but just proceed slowly to speed & take things easy.
remember you will have that other car back there so it will corner & turn differently. Watch out for curbs also while pulling into gas stations, motels, & fast food joints.
Your engine will hold up just fine. The 351W 5.7 is a strong engine.
a couple hundred pounds over towing capacity won't hurt. I'm surprised to see a tow dolly weigh a 1000 pounds though, but it could.
**on edit** Their is no way a uhaul tow dolly weighs that much, It will only weigh a couple hundred pounds. One person could lift it if it wasn't built strange. 2 people can lift it with ease. **end edit**
tell them you need the tow dolly for a smaller car, say Mustang, Escort, whatever. Uhaul says you can't tow this or that because they don't want to take the chance to damage their crappy equipment.
Put the front wheels of the car your towing on the dolly & strap them down. Cralw underneath & remove the drive shaft.
Your ready to tow, it will weigh the back end of your car down but just proceed slowly to speed & take things easy.
remember you will have that other car back there so it will corner & turn differently. Watch out for curbs also while pulling into gas stations, motels, & fast food joints.
Last edited by parks911; Mar 26, 2004 at 01:38 PM.
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Fleet Mechanic
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It is a 300 mile trip.
The motor is 350cid (5.7L).
The tow dolly is the type you drive on so that all 4 wheels are off the ground. It is a pretty heavy item. Probably less than 1000 lbs.
If I disconnect the drive shaft, then I suppose I could use the other much smaller type, where the rear wheels stay on the ground.
The vehicle being towed, like mine, is of course RWD.
I have experience towing 10K lbs but it was with my F250. It does a great job.
I don't care about the tranny in my wagon even if it blows up after this trip since the parts car has a relatively low mileage tranny.
P.S. Good point about telling them it is a smaller vehicle. I will tell them is a Buck LeSabre or something.
The motor is 350cid (5.7L).
The tow dolly is the type you drive on so that all 4 wheels are off the ground. It is a pretty heavy item. Probably less than 1000 lbs.
If I disconnect the drive shaft, then I suppose I could use the other much smaller type, where the rear wheels stay on the ground.
The vehicle being towed, like mine, is of course RWD.
I have experience towing 10K lbs but it was with my F250. It does a great job.
I don't care about the tranny in my wagon even if it blows up after this trip since the parts car has a relatively low mileage tranny.
P.S. Good point about telling them it is a smaller vehicle. I will tell them is a Buck LeSabre or something.
Last edited by carpe_diem; Mar 26, 2004 at 01:44 PM.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,543
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From: Georgia
I was thinking LTD (come one now, it is a Ford site) that is where the 351 came in. 350 Chevy is good engine also.
I would just use a tow dolly. it would work fine & is cheaper to rent. See if you can rent one from a private rental company though, like I said uhaul puts limits on what you can & can not do with their equipment.
Both vehicles will do the job.
I would just use a tow dolly. it would work fine & is cheaper to rent. See if you can rent one from a private rental company though, like I said uhaul puts limits on what you can & can not do with their equipment.
Both vehicles will do the job.
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Fleet Mechanic
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I just calculated the MPG difference....
With chebby wagon, I expect to spend about $77 in gas, with the Ford F250 truck (460, 4.11 rear, C6), I expect to spend only about $30 more.... Hm. I think that going back, the MPG difference will not be significant.
In terms of ride comfort and speed, chebby undoubtedly wins, but that's not my purpose.
With chebby wagon, I expect to spend about $77 in gas, with the Ford F250 truck (460, 4.11 rear, C6), I expect to spend only about $30 more.... Hm. I think that going back, the MPG difference will not be significant.
In terms of ride comfort and speed, chebby undoubtedly wins, but that's not my purpose.
Last edited by carpe_diem; Mar 26, 2004 at 01:53 PM.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,918
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From: Michigan
I would use the truck
I have towed many times,and honestly sometimes pushed the envelope on tow ratings (broncoII pulling 24ft boat) and have had some close calls,and the one thing I learned is my trucks are alot more stable when being past by a semi.If you were going a short distance I would say go for it,but for longer distances,use your truck.The money you would save on gas,just isnt worth the risk.Trust me,after that semi past me in my broncoII,and his tail winds caught me,I was all over the road.Luckily I was able to get it back under control.
I have towed many times,and honestly sometimes pushed the envelope on tow ratings (broncoII pulling 24ft boat) and have had some close calls,and the one thing I learned is my trucks are alot more stable when being past by a semi.If you were going a short distance I would say go for it,but for longer distances,use your truck.The money you would save on gas,just isnt worth the risk.Trust me,after that semi past me in my broncoII,and his tail winds caught me,I was all over the road.Luckily I was able to get it back under control.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: On the road in Ohio
why not use the F250? its a better tow vehical. also remember that with a 2 wheel dolly you can't turn sharply[trailor fender will hit side of car] and backing up[same issue, you'll find out quickly why, use the trailor , all so don't use equipment that is not rated for the job.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Georgia
Your in Colorado right?
Due to the geographical landscape you will be pulling alot of hills so now I'm gonna say be safe and use the truck.
I live in the flat lands & wouldn't hesitate towing with the car set-up here but climbing up & down the grades can take massive hit on a car towing a trailer.
Due to the geographical landscape you will be pulling alot of hills so now I'm gonna say be safe and use the truck.
I live in the flat lands & wouldn't hesitate towing with the car set-up here but climbing up & down the grades can take massive hit on a car towing a trailer.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Wichita, KS
For $30 or $40 in gas (or even $1000), I'd keep my peace of mind and use the truck. Caprice or LTD wagon can pull a smaller car--say, Escort, Cavalier, or even a S10 or Ranger--but not a car of the same size. Getting too close to what the brakes can handle, and at least here in KS, wind gust can push you all over the road, you need a heavier tow vehicle just to keep things under control.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 169
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From: Spokane WA
sure your 350 caprice will pull it... but will it stop it? especially living in the hills.
you bought a f-250.... use it. the bigger trailers might have built in trailer brakes, and you car might have a class III hitch, but c'mon. you already have the equipment to do the job right. dont try and save a few bucks and risk your life or sombody elses life for 30 bucks...
you bought a f-250.... use it. the bigger trailers might have built in trailer brakes, and you car might have a class III hitch, but c'mon. you already have the equipment to do the job right. dont try and save a few bucks and risk your life or sombody elses life for 30 bucks...
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,619
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From: Forest Hill MD
had to tow a Chevy work fan home (go figure) only thing i had to use was my fathers nissan 2wd standerd cab pick-up. It was only 30 or so miles but a very scary 30 or so miles. I would definitly use the truck.
Chris
Chris
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