Towing with a car

[trifast]

I have a 16' 1980 fisher marine boat. 35hp outboard. Total with trailer weighs about 1000lbs +/- 100. Is it ok to pull it with my 1994 Buick Lesabre? 3.8L V-6. 150,000 odo. Thanks.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Towing with a car

As long as you have a receiver hitch rated for 1500lbs+ you should be fine with the Buick.

I tow my 16' Starcraft with a 4.0L V6 Explorer and it tows great. The wheelbase would be the other issue...is it a 4-door? If so it will be good for towing.

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Towing with a car

As long as that weight is accurate, you should have no problem...so long as you keep it out of OD on the hills and (ideally) install an auxiliary trans cooler.

I tow a popup camper or a utility trailer of similar weight frequently with my 1998 LeSabre (same body, essentially same engine and trans, except you are 3800 Series 1 / 4T60e, I'm 3800 Series 2 / 4T65e), often on some long hauls up the California coast, across the deserts, or even up the mtns to Tahoe. I did install ceramic brakes and slotted rotors, that helps considering the really crappy brakes on H-body.

(H-body has no real frame and really, I mean really crappy brakes, so if you're fibbing on the weight, or if you're packing 500lbs of gear on top of that, you're pushing your luck)

My biggest concern would be slippery ramps vs. FWD. Make sure you got good tires and that the ebrake is adjusted well.

I am also curious what suspension level and trans gearing you have, as well as whether you have factory self-adjusting rear airshocks.

Oh, and did I mention these cars have crappy brakes?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Towing with a car

Been there, done that with same car and heavier boat. You'll be fine.

 

[trifast]

Re: Towing with a car

Thanks. Looks like I will be ok.

 

[iboatWayne]

Re: Towing with a car

I tow my 17' ski boat with my '01 stang v6, manual trans. I have a few mods. Windstar intake for more torque, sport springs, 18x9/18x10.5 wheels and I have a hidden hitch rated for 2000#. I'm towing very close to that, I'm estimating 1700-1900. I can definitely feel the extra weight but it's not a problem. Gotta love the hidden hitch, you can't even tell its there! I had a guy ask me once where my hitch was while on the ramp (as if I was magically going to pull the boat out of the water without one, lol)

edit: here for pics! http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?p=2695166#post2695166

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Towing with a car

tow very close to 2000# pounds with my subaru wrx, 2.0l 4 cylinder. Pulls it great, but fuel consumption puts a 3/4 ton gas truck to shame...

Big question is how far and what kind of ramp? I wouldn't try to load on a steep ramp with that setup.