'96 Buick Roadmaster w. 350 LT1 engine pulling a 2000 lb. Trailer

[genesis215]

What do you think? The advantages are that this vehicle has the 350 LT1 Corvette engine, plus it gets 26 MPG (incredible for a V8). It also hauls 8 people; so it can be used as a family vehicle. My trailer fully loaded weighs around 2000 pounds, do you think it could pull it? I heard of someone pulling a 20' boat with one of these, and they said it did great, and got great gas mileage during towing. Is the frame on these capable of pulling this size of a load? Any thoughts would be a appreciated.

[wintergreenlawn&landscape]

That engine does not get 26 mpg!!! Not incredible...Incrediculous!!

[olde_blue]

I've seen someone pulling a small dual-axle Airstream with one of these--I don't know how well it worked.

Have you considered an Astro? The will seat 7, get half-way decent fuel economy, and are rated to tow in the neighborhood of 5000 lbs with the V-6. With the truck suspension and ground clearance, it would be less likely to bottom out when going over curbs.

[TLS]

A lot of cars can pull 2K lbs. This wagon would have no problem. Look back to the days before SUV's.....it was sedans and station wagons pulling your 20 some foot camper trailer.

The only thing I'd worry about is tongue load. Don't want it to sag too much. If so, you may need weight distribution bars.

And, yes, these are capable of 20 something MPG.

[IA_James]

I agree with TLS. Careful loading of the trailer is an absolute must, but you should be able to get by with it. I would look at what you have for a transmission cooler, just to be on the safe side. However, you're going to look kinda silly pulling mowers around with a Buick.

[ezgoer1969]

It is not a matter if you can tow it. But the brakes on most vehicles are not meant to handle more than 1k. Too much weight and your brakes may fade if they heat up too much.

[olde_blue]

Another idea: you may want to upgrade the suspension. My parents used to tow a 1000 lbs camping gear trailer with a Caprice Wagon (5.0 L, carb). They added a transmission cooler and big rubber air bags which fit inside the rear spring coils. They used a class I bumper hitch with no problems (they probably towed 15,000 + miles with the car)--you'll need at least a class II (the class III's probably aren't much more expensive).

[DLCS]

They will tow it but they are not made to tow loads everyday.

[FIRESCOOBY]

Maybe I put too much emphasis on perception, but pulling a trailer with a Buick station wagon?

I'm all for people doing as much with what they've got, but this? Personally I think it's look really stupid. You'd definitely come across (just from the first impression) that you're a "fly by night" operation that probably won't be in business come July, or will do a crappy job...or both.

Not labeling you, just giving you my opinion.

[topsites]

You'll ruin the transmission, trust me I did it to my T-bird with the 5.0 Mustang engine and that was with an empty trailer!
I didn't even go that far with it, maybe 40 miles...
That's all it took, and those AOD's are so dang expensive I had to sell the car (lucky it was a T-bird so sell it did) at a very cheap price.
It still ran but the shifting wasn't right anymore and it would slip at times, it was fouled up some kind of way.

(oh yeh i used to get 27 hwy 24 city, I do find it odd you'd get 26 with the 350 thou, maybe yours has a 5-speed...)
We're talking 4-6 thousand dollars for a remanfg'd trans, 2-3g rebuilt but at the very least 1200 (and gl lol)...

[JimmyStew]

Come on, a Buick Roadmaster. I'm with Firescooby. I probably put too much emphasis on image, but you're looking on the opposite side of that spectrum. Some guy pulling his mowers around behind a Buick Roadmaster will make us all look like a bunch of unskilled hacks who don't deserve what little respect we get now. Grow up and buy real equipment for your business, or better yet, go work for someone else. The fact that you think it would be okay to use this vehicle as a professional says to me, you probably don't have what it takes to run a successful business.

[genesis215]

<< That engine does not get 26 mpg!!! Not incredible...Incrediculous!!


Well, it does, just look it up on fuel economy.com. This wagon will be driven very gently, accelerated slowly, and braked slowly. It should get fairly close to that even with a trailer. The LT1 gets better fuel mileage than the reguler TBI injection 350.

[mobileboy]

We're not in this for the 'image'. If you are, go find another line of work. Hate to break it to everyone, but lawncare guys are viewed by the general public as slackers who weren't smart enough to get a REAL job. That's just the way it is. Most people will never respect a lawncare guy regardless of what type of vehicle he drives to the job. I say drive the damn wagon, go make some money, and laugh back when people laugh at you.

[FIRESCOOBY]

We're not in this for the 'image'. If you are, go find another line of work. Hate to break it to everyone, but lawncare guys are viewed by the general public as slackers who weren't smart enough to get a REAL job. That's just the way it is. Most people will never respect a lawncare guy regardless of what type of vehicle he drives to the job. I say drive the damn wagon, go make some money, and laugh back when people laugh at you.

Sorry, but if you're in business for yourself...you ARE in the image or perception business. He**, most all business's are.

Maybe you are treated the way you talk about, but not me. You gain respect through many ways. First impression means a lot in the business. The sooner you learn that, the sooner your business will prosper.

[JimmyStew]

Sorry, but if you're in business for yourself...you ARE in the image or perception business. He**, most all business's are.

Exactly! What type of customers is someone going to attract driving an old station wagon, hauling a trailer behind it? There was a guy in town here that mowed lawns a few years back. He drove one of those tiny hatchback cars, towing a snowmobile trailer behind it with an old rider mower. Guess what he's doing today. It isn't mowing lawns.

[mower&more1986]

if you really want to do lawn care get a older ford with the I-6 or a chevy half ton with the V-6 both should stick shift if you want to get the best mileage but can be auto transmission too. I prefer regular cab long bed trucks and 4x4 is a most up here in the north
like these trucks
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=242651864&dealer_id=1364078&car_year=1994&num_records=25&systime=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=32&fuel=&search_type=both&distance=25&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&first_record=51&make=&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&body_style=TRUCKS&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=2&sort_type=priceDESC&address=60115&advanced=&end_year=2009&pager.offset=50&doors=&transmission=&max_price=5000&cardist=25
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=242992283&dealer_id=100003076&car_year=1989&num_records=25&systime=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=32&fuel=&search_type=both&distance=25&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&first_record=51&make=&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&body_style=TRUCKS&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=2&sort_type=priceDESC&address=60115&advanced=&end_year=2009&pager.offset=50&doors=&transmission=&max_price=5000&cardist=21
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=242773370&dealer_id=62429427&car_year=1993&num_records=25&systime=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=32&fuel=&search_type=both&distance=25&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&first_record=51&make=&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&body_style=TRUCKS&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=2&sort_type=priceDESC&address=60115&advanced=&end_year=2009&pager.offset=50&doors=&transmission=&max_price=5000&cardist=25

[DLCS]

Whats up with all the mini vans this year pulling trailers with a mower. :rolleyes:

[mower&more1986]

Whats up with all the mini vans this year pulling trailers with a mower. :rolleyes:

mini vans Yuck!
My dad owns one. i still respect him but what he choses for a vehicle is beyond me although he thinks the same about me and trucks lol
we both deliver newspapers except he works a day job on top of that

[mobileboy]

The point is, he obviously doesn't have the money to go truck shopping yet. let him drive the wagon for a season, blow the transmission, and take his saved money and go buy a used ford. Then he'll be just like the rest of the LCO's. You've got to start somewhere. I'm guessing the rest of you spent a few months perfecting your 'image' before you were TRUE pros. Give the guy a break.

[04TurfT]

man, i thought this was gonna be picture!!!!!!!! dam!

[mgramling]

I sold buick's back in 95 and 96. Some caprices and buicks wagons come with towing packages that can handle 2000lbs easy. See if it has the towing package.

As for somebody stating towing with mustang 5.0. I personnelly wouldn't towing anything much heavier than a small jet ski.

Who cares is you look like a "fly by nighter" or "truck slammer"if your making money. If the vech. and equipment are nice and clean, properly lic. and insured, personnel are properly dressed. You might be able to get more business with the wagon. Because with older people it can be a conversation piece. Also some younger people like retro stuff.

Let's do the math. Lets say you can get a nice caprice wagon that fits your needs. For lets say 5,000. You can use it for work, and to haul the wife and kids. Or buy you a new ford 250 full size cab truck for around $35,000 or find a nice good used older one for $15K. So that way you look professional.How much more are you gonna have to work, just to pay for the truck. If the car lasts for a year your golden. Anytime after that, extra money for you to save.

I know I have strange way of looking at it. But you don't have to have a $75,000 worth of equipment to mow yards. I paid my way through college with a ford ranger, trailor, push mower, craftsman riding mower, reg. craftmans blower, and trimmer. Yes I had insurance. It took me over three years in the corp. world after my degree to make what I was making mowing yards.

My next door neighbor, mows, and does estate maintence full time. He has 1 part time employee. Nice truck that he has been driving since he moved in next to me over 5 years ago. 12ft. trailor, 2 ZTR mower, stihl trimmers, blowers, and edgers. He does leave removal in fall and spring. Takes most Dec. and Jan. off. His wife has a part time job that provide benefits for the him and his family. He states she makes peanuts, but the benefits are great. He said he makes way over $100,000 year after he pays for this part timer. He leaves for work after I do, and he is home before I am. And makes more money than I do.

I am the stupid one that works in corperate america.

[genesis215]

<< I sold buick's back in 95 and 96. Some caprices and buicks wagons come with towing packages that can handle 2000lbs easy. See if it has the towing package.

As for somebody stating towing with mustang 5.0. I personnelly wouldn't towing anything much heavier than a small jet ski.

Who cares is you look like a "fly by nighter" or "truck slammer"if your making money. If the vech. and equipment are nice and clean, properly lic. and insured, personnel are properly dressed. You might be able to get more business with the wagon. Because with older people it can be a conversation piece. Also some younger people like retro stuff.

Let's do the math. Lets say you can get a nice caprice wagon that fits your needs. For lets say 5,000. You can use it for work, and to haul the wife and kids. Or buy you a new ford 250 full size cab truck for around $35,000 or find a nice good used older one for $15K. So that way you look professional.How much more are you gonna have to work, just to pay for the truck. If the car lasts for a year your golden. Anytime after that, extra money for you to save.

I know I have strange way of looking at it. But you don't have to have a $75,000 worth of equipment to mow yards. I paid my way through college with a ford ranger, trailor, push mower, craftsman riding mower, reg. craftmans blower, and trimmer. Yes I had insurance. It took me over three years in the corp. world after my degree to make what I was making mowing yards.

My next door neighbor, mows, and does estate maintence full time. He has 1 part time employee. Nice truck that he has been driving since he moved in next to me over 5 years ago. 12ft. trailor, 2 ZTR mower, stihl trimmers, blowers, and edgers. He does leave removal in fall and spring. Takes most Dec. and Jan. off. His wife has a part time job that provide benefits for the him and his family. He states she makes peanuts, but the benefits are great. He said he makes way over $100,000 year after he pays for this part timer. He leaves for work after I do, and he is home before I am. And makes more money than I do.

I am the stupid one that works in corperate america. >>

Finally someone is willing to admit you don't need a huge 1-ton diesel to be able to tow anything! The one I am looking at has 102,000 miles, is in very good condition, and is only $2000. Yes, it has a factory installed towing package w. trailer hitch and reciever. I thought I read that these could pull 5000 lbs. with the towing package. I will be having my 48" walk-behind mower in the back so that there won't be much weight on the tongue. I am just seeking to be wise with what I make off of the business, and the gas for this is FAR less than a truck!

[genesis215]

<< The point is, he obviously doesn't have the money to go truck shopping yet. let him drive the wagon for a season, blow the transmission, and take his saved money and go buy a used ford. Then he'll be just like the rest of the LCO's. You've got to start somewhere. I'm guessing the rest of you spent a few months perfecting your 'image' before you were TRUE pros. Give the guy a break. >>

I already have a 1994 1/2 ton Ford Van, with the 351 engine, that I like in every way (except the gas mileage), and if that's the minimum requirement for towing, that's fine with me. I appreciate the criticism.