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Station Wagon Tow Vehicle?
Last Post 02-26-2012 11:07 AM by Belteshazzar. 9 Replies.
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GIGAPUNKUser is Offline
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Dru

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02-07-2012 11:06 AM  

I want a car that can pull double duty as something that's fun to drive on the street, but can still pull my car trailer.  My trailer weighs 1900 lbs and my car ~2700, so my tow vehicle needs to be able to handle 4600 lbs.  As I understand it a class III hitch can handle upto 5000 lbs.  My 1996 Explorer finally died, and I don't want to drive another SUV. I towed my car accross the country with that thing.  I had a class III hitch on the Explorer, but officially it's only rated at 1900 lbs.  I've looked into turbo volvo station wagons, bmw 540it, and 90s impalas.  All the quotes below were stolen from all over the internet.  So what car/stationwagon do you guys think would make the best tow vehicle on the weekends, yet still be fun to drive during the week? 

From an article written in 2008,  "In the UK BMW dealers sell exotic accessories for the 5-Series Touring like the “Exterior mirror for trailer towing” and a “Trailer tow hitch” rated up to 2275kg. That’s 5015 lbs if you’re converting at home. Unless US-bound 5-Series wagons are made of angel hair pasta or recycled 1970s Fiats, my guess is that they’ll tow just fine. The UK XC70 is rated at 2100kg (~4630 lbs), about 130 lbs more than a Saturn Outlook with the 3.6L V6."

"The nameplate on my '95 Volvo 850 turbo says maximum towing capacity 3300"

"I have an E39 530D SE with sports suspension and tow a 1700KG caravan regularly with it."

"I am considering an '03 Marauder. One criteria that is essential for me though is towing my autoX Fairmont.

According to the Merc website the Marauder is rated at a paltry 1400ish lbs. "

"If you cure the above, the SS easily can tow (with proper hitch
of course!) the 5000lb that the regular Caprice with LT1 and
towing package can handle.  ALL of the Caprice wagons (94 and
newer) automatically come with the LT1 and other goodies, thus
all of them can handle towing 5000+ lb."

 

GIGAPUNKUser is Offline
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Dru

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02-07-2012 01:53 PM  
Budget would be under $12k.

According to theautochannel, the 1992-1996? Buick Roadmaster Estate: http://www.theautochannel.com/vehicles/new/reviews/wk9342.html

"With the optional trailer towing package, which includes additional cooling and an automatic load leveling system, it is possible to safely tow up to 5000 pounds, plus a full load in the wagon."

There's no way the Roadmaster would be as fun to drive as the BMW 540it, but its got personality!



Long Enough for ya?





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SixCylinders

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02-07-2012 01:56 PM  
I'm definitely not the most tow-savy guy around but what I can tell you is tow ratings are BS. Reliable transmission + Reliable engine + solid body + high load rated tires = able to tow. What is legal I'm unsure of, a lot of the people I've talked to including my dad (who has a Class B CDL) say the sticker is just a suggestion and that you can register a truck with whatever weight rating you want.

My friend David drives a 1979ish? Ford Courier pickup. Basically, Mazda built truck, Ford 2.3L (one of the most common mini-stock motors), and a 3 speed automatic. It doesn't have 100hp, it can't go 80mph unloaded but what it will do is take 2000lbs of scrap steel in the bed (it does have some form of jury-rigged rear suspension I believe). It handles pretty well by my standards, I do have a hard time keeping up with him in the twisties (although he does have more racing history than me).

Your ideas are very good especially if you want an automatic. I'd personally go with the 5 series just based on the simple facts that they have really nice headlights, people in Europe actually abuse them (unlike the typical middle aged businessman here), they do have performance potential and I'm guessing a fairly decent aftermarket. I personally would look into the 08+ STi but I'm sure your idea is a little more up to the task.
BelteshazzarUser is Offline
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Daniel

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02-07-2012 02:38 PM  
well under your budget, i answered this exact question with a Ford Crown Victoria P71.

i bought it as a six year old car in perfect condition for under $4,000. I have routinely towed cars from state to state with it. With your average compact car i get 14mpg at 60mph. Pulling an unloaded trailer without regard i average nearly 20mpg. Without towing anything it would routinely exceed 25mpg on the road.
They have 12.5" rotors up front. Big oil and tranny coolers for their 4.6 V8 and 4R70w transmission. And either 3.27 or 3.55 rear axle ratios in a ford 8.8.

Is it fun to drive? In the same way demolishing things with a sledghammer is fun, yes. My other car is a Miata. They each have their charms.

I have since swapped the 4.6 out for a 5.4 because i wanted something better than a marauder for less coin. It definitely hauls now.

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Aaron LaBeau
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02-08-2012 10:01 AM  

Even though flat black has been done to death I like the 1st roadmaster the best with the nascar type wheels.  The newer mopar HEMI  wagons are probably out of the price range you mentioned.

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speedball3

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02-08-2012 01:02 PM  
Wow, I'm surprised you guys exceed the tow ratings with such a cavalier attitude! How exactly are these "real world" tow ratings determined (not talking about the manufactorer's numbers)? Does it really just boil down to "can my engine, transmission, brakes, and tires take the load?" Does the tow vehicle's weight come into play anywhere? What about the vehicle's contruction (unibody vs body-on-frame, aka, CUV vs traditional SUV)?
pistonheadUser is Offline
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SixCylinders

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02-20-2012 04:31 AM  
Why are you really surprised? The majority of us have done something with our cars we weren't supposed to, why would towing be any different?
BelteshazzarUser is Offline
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Daniel

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02-20-2012 07:49 AM  
P71 towing capacity is 5000lbs. i don't feel i'm pushing the envelope.
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jere

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02-23-2012 12:58 AM  
Posted By Daniel on 02-07-2012 04:38 PM
well under your budget, i answered this exact question with a Ford Crown Victoria P71.
 
...I have routinely towed cars from state to state with it. With your average compact car i get 14mpg at 60mph. Pulling an unloaded trailer without regard i average nearly 20mpg. Without towing anything it would routinely exceed 25mpg on the road...



Say what?! I drive taxi (all P71s) and a lot of different ones, with 120,000miles to somewhere over 450,000 miles on them. I have never seen better than 16mpg, even when I get a good trip and most of the driving is highway. New from the factory that is what the EPA rates them too. Those mods must really be making a difference or something.

 

But I do agree with one as a tow vehicle, the P71s have higher spring rates, heavy duty shocks, pretty nice brakes for what they are, off the body frame and a lot of other nice extras. I just wouldn't expect that great of gas mileage un modded. And they are fun to drive in the snow and over rail road tracks at least

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Daniel

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02-26-2012 11:07 AM  
with 3.73 gears, and the 5.4 engine, i average 17mpg in town. way back when it was stock it did 18-19city.

i run some pretty wide drag radials as well. not sure what to tell ya.
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