Towing with a Cadillac

[The Black Dog]

I am looking at getting a mint condition 1996-97 Sedan Deville to pull my Crestliner 1650 FishHawk. Does anyone know the tow capacity of this car. I already know about all the other things I need to have (tranny cooler, etc). I do not have trailer brakes. I don't want an SUV, truck, etc.

Black Dog

[Phil T.]

If you have any luck at all, Trailerboats magazine tested a car similar to yours a few years ago. They sell reprintzs of their tow tests. There may be a link in their website, www.trailerboats.com. If not, buy a copy of the magazine and look for the phone number for the reprints.

[The Black Dog]

I just checked the web and this car comes standard with 1K pounds of tow capacity. The tow package puts it up to 3900 pounds.

This vehicle has automatic load levelers on the suspension.

There is a small radiator all the way up front (3" high by about 18" wide). Not sure if this is a trans cooler, if it is it seems small.

Before I buy I will search the VIN and have it inspected. It is in such mint condition to pass it up.

woof

[Phil T.]

My wife's Crown Victoria has a small cooler that's for cooling the power steering fluid. My '87 Suburban has a cooler of about that many square inches that's an engine oil cooler. Yours isn't big enough to be a tranny cooler, as you suspected.

[Gary/MN]

Is this a front wheel drive or rear wheel drive car? If its front wheel drive you may have some trouble pulling your rig out of a steep wet launch ramp. The weight of the rig pulls weight off the front drive wheels so you have less traction.

I've seen front wheel drive vans with four guys standing on the front bumper struggle to get a boat out of a ramp.

[Phil T.]

The tested Caddy in the Trailerboats article worked well on ramps due to its long wheelbase. It also had the Northstar V8 so power wasn't a problem.
Bob Kovacik (Koo Koo, to those of us who remember the glory days of Trans Am racing) enjoyed handing out driving lessons to teenagers with Mustangs and Camaros with the Northstar. I recall his comment that changing to the passing lane only required a floored accelerator. The steering torque performed the lane change automatically.

[The Black Dog]

I am not sure I understand... Are you saying the car is overpowered and this is an anomoly? Or is it somthing that would impress a gear head.

I am trying to make a decision to purchase this car to tow my 2200 pount rig. Right now my Ford Windstar is not up to the task whatsoever. I am not in the market for a truck or SUV, but if comes down to that I will.

Thanks to all who have responded so far.

The Dog

[Phil T.]

The Northstar Caddy is a luxery car in all respects. That includes more performance than is needed, and you can do things that are illegal. European luxury cars aren't slow either.

[The Terminator]

This is a myth.

I tow a 1700 lb rig with a front wheel drive station wagon. Never have problems even on steep wet ramps, Grand Bend, Ontario for example. A 140 lb tongue weight is nothing compared to 700 lb of power train helping with traction up front. My neighbour spun his Yukon's rear wheels trying pull out his Lund 16' Rebel out of ramp, algae close to the water. When he engaged the front wheels, no problem.

However, I suspect that with high tongue weight rigs, either rear wheel drive, or the best, 4X4 is the correct solution. I am convinced that for smaller rigs like mine, a front wheel drive vehicle with wide tires (205's or better) and decent V6 or V8 will do the trick.

Tony

[Satisfaction]

There is no amuzement park ride that will offer the thrills of towing 2200 lbs with a higher torque, front wheel drive vehicle with SOFT suspension.

Take a raining day on asphalt during the first few hours of wetness and let the fun begin. I just hope you're by yourself and don't involve others in the fun.

Pulled a 3000 lb tow once with a front wheel drive and had the scare of my driving life. As a professional driver my advice is take the Cad on Saturday nights, get a tow vehicle for trips to the water.

Satisfaction