towing boat with a car one time?

[stever]

I need to pull a 17ft 2500lb boat cross country, it has a tongue weight of around 220lbs. I was curious if a full-size buick with a v-6 could handle the 1200 mile drive safely. It would be a one time deal, but the tongue weights makes me think it may be a bit much. I have seen worse things towing boats and trailers, but do not want to hurt the car or be dangerous for others out there. Looking for some input... Thanks, STever...

[Tuffy18]

Stever,
I have an 18' glass boat. I have a GMC truck with a 4.3lt V6 engine. I bet I have pulled that boat over 25,000 miles and have never had a problem. Granted, I'm not passing too many people, but I can hold a steady 65-70 miles per hour. Just remember to keep your truck out of overdrive. Good luck.

[Kevin B]

I think I'd consult a buick dealer. If the dealer says "no-go" then come on back for alternative suggestions.

[cisco]

An enormous difference is the fact your truck is rear wheel power, while the Buick (I believe) is front wheel drive. If there any load to speak of in the Buick, the 200-plus pounds of tongue weight will create problems.

[Pitts]

If the Buick has a tranny cooler and the trailer has brakes you will be fine towing that far.
If not it could be unsafe in certain situations without brakes and your tranny could overheat.
Since it is a one time deal it probably is no big deal just slow it down to 55 mph and change your tranny fluid when done.
If your in a hurry and the dealer says no way rent a truck.
It's really your call.
My brother towed my 3500 lb boat 300 miles with his front drive Pontiac Montana mini van no problems.

Pitts

[Bob Z]

Three suggestion:
1)Burn higher octane gas.
2) Transmission may overheat on a hot day or with hills. Careful with that problem and have a spare can of fluid with you. Consider late evening and night driving.
3) Some air shocks on the Buick would also help.

[THUMPER]

Get a price on shipping it. A lot of moving companies will tow a boat behind their moving trucks. At least you will know how much you saved if you decide to tow it.

[REW]

I have a full sized olds, with the same v-6 engine and have towed a similar boat for many miles with no problems.

I also have a friend with a buick with the same v-6 engine and have towed a similar sized boat for many miles with no problems as well.

Keep an eye on your temperature gauge - and if it begans to overheat, downshift to let the engine rev up a bit, or back off on your speed.

Generally, you want to keep the engine locked out of overdrive.
Basically, you need to run in d2 - compared to d.

If you are running down hill, or on the level ground with the wind behind you - you can upshift to d . However, keep an ear on your engine, and if the engine begans to "lug" at all, downshift and you will be fine.

Make sure that you look far ahead, and plan for stops. Try to minimize the use of either the engine for braking, or the car for braking. Slow down - well before turns and stops and minimize the wear and tear on either the engine, transmission, brakes, or towing devices.

I assume that you have at least a class II hitch on your car?

If so, and if you keep an ear on your engine, you will be fine.

Also, make sure that your auto tires are at the top range, or slightly over the top range of inflation pressure. If the tires are rated for 35 psi - make sure that they are at least at 35 and perhaps raise to 40 psi, to keep the sidewalls round, when towing the extra weight.

If you think about it, the 250 lbs on the hitch - is really no different than having two adults sitting in the back of your car.

It is about the equal load as far as vertical suspension travel is concerned.

Good luck, take it easy, plan ahead for both braking and accelerating / passing - and you will be fine.

REW

[Hawgeye]

I have personally had problems with the transmissions on my Pontiac Grand Prix and a van by towing my #1800 lb boat. I did pull them frequently but the engine was not the problem, the transmission could not handle the load. I would recommend having a transmission cooler installed and pull away. I think if you did that you would be fine. I don't think the transmission cooler is an extremely inexpensive item. May be worth the piece of mind than to avoid a $1600 transmission rebuild.

[cisco]

I guess it is not unusual for folks to want to limit test their equipment. Perhaps not so surprising with TV ads portraying mini-cars hooking up to pull semi-trailer trucks.

[Chuck Pederson MN]

I can tell you I'd never think of it. After spending $25,000 on my boat I didn't think I could swing a trade for a new vehicle in the same year. I did the same thing pulled it with the buick. Talk about a nightmare, broke down in the middle of nowhere with children. Now I pay $2200.00 for a tranny which took a week to do. Bought a Jeep Grand Cherokee while on the spot towed to a dealers lot boy do they like to see that. Sold the car later and lost my rear end this time.

[T-Mac]

My Dad and friend decided to pull a 1775 Pro-V SE Dual Console from central Minn to Tobin Lake. Rather than take the Ford F-150, they took the Buick to save gas. And.....oh...about....127,623,983 shifts (driving there and back)later, they put a new tranny in the buick. I did not ask them about the gas mileage...heheheh.

[Box]

I am not the kind to tell people to get bigger trucks to tow light boats, but if you are at all concerned, you might consider renting a truck or SUV for the trip. Not that expensive, and then you have comfy ride and no worries at all.

Just a thought, good luck on the trip! :)

Box (who watched Dad put a new tranny in a Taurus from towing a 2000 pound boat).