#21  
Old 04-04-2019, 11:06 AM
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camerjeff camerjeff is offline
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Found the Brochure, the HD Towing Package was rated at 6000lbs Max, I was Surprised to see the engine type does not effect the max towing capacity.
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Last edited by camerjeff; 04-04-2019 at 11:14 AM.
  #22  
Old 04-04-2019, 07:55 PM
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I had a 1978 4 door Bonneville with the HD suspension and towing package. I would practice a lot with it if it were me trying to tow with it. I wouldn't want to go much bigger than a large U-Haul trailer or smaller camper, I'd be reluctant to tow a car. Sure, it can be done and many guys have, but it's dicey if you don't do it often. Plus, keeping up in modern traffic is not much fun if you have to do it with 5000lbs behind you.

The factory towing weight restrictions were likely related to the hitch and suspension of the car, not the engine.

  #23  
Old 04-04-2019, 08:12 PM
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Stuart Stuart is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by camerjeff View Post
I was Surprised to see the engine type does not effect the max towing capacity.
The way I read it they do require certain powertrains depending on whether you have light, medium or heavy duty towing requirements.

  #24  
Old 04-05-2019, 08:35 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuart View Post
The way I read it they do require certain powertrains depending on whether you have light, medium or heavy duty towing requirements.


I just kinda glanced at the A thru H notes for individual Suspension & Wiring Parts,

After reading the text I agree that the 350 or 400 engine is required for the Medium or HD towing package, my car does have the HD towing package, that I swapped out rear spring airbags for the stock air shocks, I also run a brake controller for the electric brakes on the car trailer.

I have never had an issue towing the car trailer, but I don't have any mountains or even many steep hills to climb in my area, also the car has the optional 2.73 rear gears (wish it had the 3.08's that the 78 Impala wagon did) Does it pull the trailer as well as my 2012 F-150? no, but it is really only acceleration that is affected, handling and braking are about the same. Visibility is actually better backing the trailer with the Wagon than the F-150.
Without a 5th wheel hitch I am always very carefull when turning with the car trailer no mater what I am towing it with.

But I don't think the wagon is any less capable of towing than the same year 1/2 ton Pick up, and no one would look twice at a 78 PU towing my rig. I did have a Colorado State trooper pull me over when I was towing the same trailer & car with our old 1971 Lemans Wagon. I spent about an hour discussing the towing capacity of the car, I ran S-10 Wheels & Tires on that car so I could prove the wheels & Tires where rated for the load. I had no problems towing with the 455 in that car, the smogged out 400 in the Catalina could use 100 more hp and a steeper rear gear, but for the towing I do it works fine.

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60 Jaguar Mark 2, 3.8L Automatic
67 Sprint Firebird 230 OHC-6 4-Speed A/C
78 Catlina Safari, Pontiac 400 powered
77 Astre Formula, 215 Buick V-8 T-5
73 Lemans Safari, 400 4bbl 4-speed
71 Catalina Enforcer, 455 4bbl
06 Mallet Solstice #024 LS2, Now with a Tremec 6060 6-speed!
2012 F-150 Echo Boost (My local Ford Dealer SUX!!!)
2020 Dodge Charger Scat pack (recovered)
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