How much can our Marauders tow?

[Motorhead350]

I tried the search and didn't find anything relating to towing. A friend of mine got laid off in AZ and his family lives in Michigan. He wanted to fly back to MI get this car, drive back to AZ pack up his stuff in a U-Haul trailer and drive back to MI. I Suggested that I drive over to him even if I have to get his car.

I don't think we will be hauling too much, maybe 2,000lbs total includding the trailer, but I want to take my car because I always wanted to drive across country and I'm sure as heck am not doing it in any 2004 Oldsmobile. As most of you know my car has a Procharger and the tranny is built. Do you guys think this will work from AZ to MI? Is it too much? :confused:

Let me know.

Thanks.

Also I know this wil take a while and I am off school for another week in a half. If I want to help the time is now!

[SC Cheesehead]

Dom,

Good question, I've asked it myself and get all kinds of different answers.

The owner's manual says 1,500 lbs max., but a number of knowledgeable folks have told me that's underrated.

IMO 2,000 lbs shouldn't pose a problem, but you'll probably want to get some additional opinions.

[Thunderace]

2000 lbs. should be all right,watch your tongue weight.Also depending how fast you drive you might not be able to use your over-drive,you don't want to lug it..........MPG will go down...Take your time & good luck!

[Bigdogjim]

Look into a oneway rental for a small box truck from U-hall, Penske, Ryder or Budget.

The trucks are set up to tow and haul:)

Do the math with everything and I think it well be cheaper to go with the O/W rental.

[MMinMN]

I tow with mine all the time. Mostly with a 2000 lb boat and the car is not working at all. I agree watch the tough load more then anything. But have towed a 3000lb car on a car dolley too without any problemsI had a 1987 county squire which had a factory towing rating of 5000lbs! Now think about this. The 87 had less then half the hp, crapier brakes, nearly identical frame if not weaker, maybe the rear coils were stronger then the air bags but like I said as long as you watch your toung load like you would on anything when towing you will be fine.It's always a good idea to not use overdrive when towing no matter your tow vehicle is.

[Motorhead350]

Look into a oneway rental for a small box truck from U-hall, Penske, Ryder or Budget.

The trucks are set up to tow and haul:)

Do the math with everything and I think it well be cheaper to go with the O/W rental.

He did that and it amounted to like $2,800 because they charge for miles and not to mention gas, hotels, food, stupid stuff along the way.

[Bigdogjim]

He did that and it amounted to like $2,800 because they charge for miles and not to mention gas, hotels, food, stupid stuff along the way.

Dom: O/W rental are usally no mileage fees. As for gas, hotels, food well you will still have that with your car.....................

[Vortech347]

I think that making that trip hauling that much stuff and towing the trailer will KILL the "road trip fun" idea. You also drive a "modified" car. Have you taken into thought if it breaks down and needs specific parts? Have a plan B and an extra $1500 to blow before leaving. I know this from 2 road trips 1400 and 1300 miles to fly and pick-up new cars to drive them home.

Nothing is worse than driving through new mexico in the middle of no where going 65mph. Thank GOD I kicked the new SB to 100 for like 20 straight miles to keep my pulse up and from sleeping. I know AZ is just as bad when you get out of the cities.

[B.C. Bake]

Rent ......Rent ......Rent...save the were and terr, cheaper In the long run IMOP:beer::coolman: Because say,have problems with the MM More money:bs:

[Aren Jay]

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[Vortech347]

Phaetons are lame. FTL. Go buy one already!! :)

Btw, Euro people are IDIOTS when it comes to towing. They tow 10000000000lbs with a 4 cylinder engine. Oh its a diesel its got torque. dumbies.

[SCmarauder46]

I've towed my 90Ft yacht with my MM. No problems at all...highly reccomend it!

[offroadkarter]

Back before ford really started pushing F series trucks, aero panthers were rated to tow like 5000lbs, which then dropped to 1500 with power and platform improvements.

As long as you drive in a sane way your car wont blow up

[bob6364]

Have you looked into getting a cheapo airline ticket to there and then renting a one way small truck Dom? Did that a few years back for a buddy don't remember total cost but I remember thinking it was pretty reasonable.

[Bluerauder]

Look into a oneway rental for a small box truck from U-hall, Penske, Ryder or Budget.
+1 ^^^^ I think this is still your best option. Better to put the money up front into a one-way rental truck.

[bob6364]

He did that and it amounted to like $2,800 because they charge for miles and not to mention gas, hotels, food, stupid stuff along the way.

I'm alittle confused about this one Dom,1 guy sleeps while one guy drives is the way we used to do it no need for Hotels!!!

[tjg442]

FIRST, GET INTO THE MONEY FACTOR, FUEL,SLEEPING CONDITIONS, TIME SPENT ETC.. I HAVE A CLASS III HITCH ON MY 04, AND HAUL TOO STORAGE AND BACK TO MY CLUB, A BOAT (8000 LBS.) WITH BRAKES ON THE TRAILER, NO PROBLEMS. I WOULD NOT RECOMEND A LONG TRIP WITH THIS SETUP. IT'S ONLY 15 MILES, TOP SPEED 35mph.ANYWAY. TOO MANY THINGS TO GO WRONG ON A LONG TRIP..CHECK OUT "HERTZ", "PENSKI", AND "RYDER", NOT U-HAUL !!!, THEY KILL YOU ON MILAGE, FOR A SMALL BOX VAN, AND GET A WEEKLY RATE UP FRONT WITH MILAGE. BEEN THERE MANY TIMES, WITH THREE GIRLS IN COLLEGE...GOOD LUCK ON THE TRIP, CAREFULL, EASY, TAKE YOUR TIME, AND ENJOY THE RIDE..:)

[Thunderace]

The MM can handle it , we know that much , but one way rental still might be your best bet.Enjoy your cross county trip with the MM (no trailer) another time.A couple years ago we took a 2600 mile trip with ours,2 adults,3 kids,trunk full,and a carrier with a wood box that went taillight to taillight and all most coverd the lic. plate tall,(with food and drink in it,box weight was about 200 lbs),it slipped into the receiver hitch. you could say we were loaded down pretty good,we drove down to peblo colorado,up into wyoming,then back home,drove above the posted speed limit most of the time,the MM performed flawlessy,it loved the touring adventure (so did we!),and it still averaged 22 mpg. we're going to try and go again this summer,(family reuion everyother year).

[Aren Jay]

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[johnjamis]

you need to have trailer brakes or watch the following distance as the braking distance goes way up.

I have an auxillary transmission cooler.

[Peter]

Ford underrates the tow ratings to sell more trucks. I remember reading somewhere, on this website, that the Marauder can tow 4500#s