Cadillac Fleetwood or Buick Roadmaster

[bigshrimpin]

I'm looking for a new tow vehicle the new year.

I love my little jeep comanche, but it's gets tossed around too much while towing and the stopping power isn't so great. I've decided to sell her and move on to something bigger and better. I've narrowed my choices down to a 92 - 96 Cadillac Fleetwood or a 92 - 96 Buick Roadmaster estate wagon (Caprice Wagon). Both have posi rear ends and the 5.7L LT1 . . . Fuel Economy is rated at 23 - 25mpg hwy. Anyone have experience towing with either one?

The Fleetwood/Brougham has a tow rating of 7000lbs and the Roadmaster/Caprice wagon is 5000lbs.





or

[Seacrets]

BS, I like your thinkin'. *Always wanted to redo a Caprice or Roadmaster wagon, even an Olds.

[wpearch]

maybe an old Chevy police cruiser that way you would have heavy duty brakes and suspension

what are you nuts!!!!!!!!!!

Caddy is a high way car no balls on the ramp!! Been there done that!!

The wagon has lots of expensive parts not to mention them rear air shocks that cost a fourtune to get replaced, and if you thinking of doing it yourself, get ready to pull the rear carpet and cut holes in the floor to get at the rear top shock bolts!
Have two friends that have had them and they both have nightmares to talk about!!

Those two rateing's are for stright pull, when you get on a ramp slop and have to pull with rear wheel drive you going to be in trouble if it is slipery!!

Unless CA has all level ramps?

Get a small pick up or Jeep you be way ahead of th game!!

[msbhammer]

Looks like the BigShrimp is looking to be Pimping. ;D

[bradford]

Hot rod a caprice wagon.

[bigshrimpin]

mj - Both vehicles 94 - 96 with the tow package have posi traction rear ends and the 5.7L LT1 corvette motor (260hp and 330 ft of torque). Do you still think I'm going to be better off with a jeep?

[reelapeelin]

Originally Posted by bigshrimpin

mj - Both vehicles 94 - 96 with the tow package have posi traction rear ends and the 5.7L LT1 corvette motor (260hp and 330 ft of torque). Do you still think I'm going to be better off with a jeep?

Can change BigShrimpin' to BigPimpin' ;D ;D ...

How long a tow do you typically have??...is it flat or hilly??...JMHO, I wouldn't go in that direction for towing, even w/ numbers like that ... many times numbers aren't the whole story... ;) ...

Even if drive-train, etc handles it, how about cooling-system ... that's what bit me on a Caprice wagon I used to tow a 17' Thunderbird with :P ...

[bigshrimpin]

Reel - What year was your Caprice wagon? Did it have the tow package v92 (tranny cooler, suspension, etc.) ?

Unless I fish in the river . . . 12 miles away, then I gotta drive 60 miles to the ocean. There's one dry storage area at Berkley Marina . . . which is nice (.5mile tow to the ramp) BUT the Salmon move during the season. It's usually better fishing further north, so it's about 60 to 100 mile drive (one way) to the ramp. The Comanche is just too light and small for these long hauls . . . I'm worn out by the time I get to the ramp. I'm hoping there is a better (heavier, longer wheel base, better MPG) tow vehicle out there. I want something that can fit passengers, and tow like the boat isn't even there.

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http://www.carsurvey.org/viewcomments_review_65697.html

"16th Oct 2005, 07:09

I tow a 251 Checkmate convincor with mine. I added air lift bags to the springs and what you get is a tow vehicle that eats up half ton trucks!I'm serious, I have towed my 5000 pound rig with a 1999 Z71 Chevy and this Fleetwood puts it to shame, it's a torquey ole girl. With 150000 on the clock it runs and performs flawlessly. Normal parts, egr, ball joints and such, no biggie. Very dependable, will buy another!"
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http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/003175.html

"the '91-'96 Caddys, with the optional 7000 lb tow package components, are basically series 1500 Suburbans in disguise. All engine and drive train components are the same, except for the truck suspension, hence the need for the weight distributing hitch."

"I've towed my 25 Outrage over 80,000 miles, usually at 60-65 mph, and with a Caddy (7000 lb tow rated), yet! No problem at all if you're set up correctly, and with 4 wheel disc brakes, radial tires, air shocks."
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http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/007194.html

my wagon gets 25 mpg,i don't know of any truck that will get that.got 20 towing a large grady white.
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LHG -

http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/000988.html

I have towed my 25 Outrage close to 100,000 miles with one of these beasts! The package was special order, and they are now hard to find used, but are out there. GM hoped this model would catch on with the towing crowd, but didn't. Most still prefer the trucks, which don't have the engine choked up with pollution controls. I've never seen another one towing a boat.

[bigshrimpin]

Apparently the Ford Crown Vic was Trailer boats "Tow Vehicle of the Year" in 1993.