Towing with 88 Ford Crown Vic

[Swivelhart]

1988 Ford Crown Victoria? Ok! Obviously not the first choice for tow vehicle but my car died before winter and this is all I could afford since it was grandma owned with low miles. I have a 15ft Steury runabout and a 16ft Larson All american. Warm weather is here and I am itching to go out. I'm cautious and carefull so I won't do anything dumb but has anyone had any experience launching and retrieving with a car like this? Rear wheel drive 5.0liter V8. Just an observation...If one were to peruise through old boat brochures say from the sixties to seventies most of the vehicles pictured are the large V8 wagons and rear wheel drive cars. Go figure! How did they do it?

My boats

My car

 

[JimMH]

Re: Towing with 88 Ford Crown Vic

The Crown Vic should do the job with no problems. Heavy, rear wheel drive, built on a true rail frame type construction. You will not have a problem.

 

[Slojoe]

Re: Towing with 88 Ford Crown Vic

My Chevy Caprice does fine towing my 16' runabout.

If you can't find a hitch locally this place has a few for your car.
http://www.hitch-web.com/vghitch.asp?SM=Sedan+4+Door&DR=&MD=Crown+Victoria&C=Passenger+Car+or+Station+Wagon&MK=Ford&Y=1988&SMBBID=1-125&YID=70&CID=3&MKID=20&DRID=6&MDID=462&OID=8&SMID=&cmdNext=Next&BPID=6&VID=7274
I have no affilitation with them. I did buy a hitch from them in the past and have no complaints.

 

[dave11]

Re: Towing with 88 Ford Crown Vic

As I recall, they have at least a 3000# tow rating.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Towing with 88 Ford Crown Vic

just watch the ramps that you use. Steep ramp + seaweed + RWD car = big problem!

 

[Titanium48]

Re: Towing with 88 Ford Crown Vic

^ Any 2wd tow vehicle will have problems with steep and slippery ramps. If you could do it with a 2wd 1/2 ton pickup, you can do it with the crown vic.

 

[mattpyle]

Re: Towing with 88 Ford Crown Vic

You should have no problem.


Hell I tow a similar sized boat with my 3.0L 2wd Ranger no problem...and that car's certainly a better tow rig then that!! It'll have a lot more weight in the back then most 1/2 ton trucks, which will help on the steeper ramps.

Just make sure the brakes are in good condition.

 

[RL Gman]

Re: Towing with 88 Ford Crown Vic

Like others have said, you'll have no problem.

I own a 4wd and tow a 6500# boat and trailer and have never used the 4wd to pull it out, and I've been on some slick and steep ramps.

 

[Swivelhart]

Re: Towing with 88 Ford Crown Vic

I appreciate all the input it helps alot and gives me peace...

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Towing with 88 Ford Crown Vic

It'll work fine. I tow my little fishing boat behind a '91 Volvo station wagon. Never a problem at the ramp.

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: Towing with 88 Ford Crown Vic

I towed a 20' open bow to lake powell 350 miles each way when I was 18(many years ago) with a country squire wagon, true it had a 460 in it with a c-6 trans but it handled it fine. I even blew a front trailer tire which took out the rear tire almost instantly, now that wasn't very much fun. Thank god it was very early in the morning with no traffic otherwise the instant 3 lane change could have been rough. I think you will be fine with a good hitch and possibly some heavy duty shocks on the rear, may not even need those but wouldn't hurt. As said already have a good look at the brakes and tires and go for it.

 

[JaseBosto]

Re: Towing with 88 Ford Crown Vic

before I was in the navy for 4 years, I towed my 17ft Fiberglass winner boat to the launch with my 1992 Mercury Grand Marquis. Same thing as the crown vic. I never had any issues. Mine had traction control which helped get up steep ramps but, I have always had way more tire spin with a pickup so...

Make sure you install an external tranny cooler infront of the radiator!

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Towing with 88 Ford Crown Vic

And please for the light duty cushy shifting AOD's sake lock out overdrive while towing.

 

[alaskanassassin]

Re: Towing with 88 Ford Crown Vic

Overdrive off is mandatory. Trans cooler, and heavy duty rear shocks would be advised along with properly working brakes. Should pull it just fine.

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: Towing with 88 Ford Crown Vic

You won't have any trouble towing your vessels, though as suggested I would leave it in 3rd and add an extra transmission cooler.

If it helps, the guy that bought my Jet Ski the other day tows a pair of them with a late model Police Interceptor...you've got the 5.0L anyway which is a much better motor than the 4.6L ever was

And I tow my Bayliner with my '74 LeSabre convertible

 

[1216bandit]

Re: Towing with 88 Ford Crown Vic

I used a 1994 Grand Marquis (basically same vehicle) with a 5.0 to tow my 19' Starcraft Islander. I'm not sure how the 2 boats would compare in weight, but I can tell you had I continued to use that car I would have tore the guts out of it eventually. The motor would run hot and it just plain didnt have the gearing. My transmission had 1st, 2nd, and D, the D position was 3rd and also OD so I couldnt keep it in 3rd, it would eventually shift to OD then lug and shift between 3rd and OD. The problem was not the lack of power, but the transmission and rear end. For short hauls you may do OK, but you really cant beat a proper tow vehicle.

 

[tnduc]

Re: Towing with 88 Ford Crown Vic

That brings back memories- looks just like my first patrol car. That 302 V8 is strong enough to pull what you've got, and- just like mentioned above- it has a true frame unlike most cars today.