towing capacities

I am looking to buy a boat and need to know if I can towe it with my
V-6 Olds 98 regency elite. The boat and trailer will weigh around 3000
lbs. My owners manual says I can towe up to 3000 lbs with the optional
towing package. How can I tell if I have the towing option. Also, when
I go to the U-haul web site and put in my vehicle, it says I can towe
a trailer with a weight of 4400 lbs. I have no idea if I can tow it. I
have a class II hitch.

I would say go visit a U-Haul outfit. Since they install hitches and tow packages they know
what they are doing.

Dave



"Dan" wrote in message
om...
| I am looking to buy a boat and need to know if I can towe it with my
| V-6 Olds 98 regency elite. The boat and trailer will weigh around 3000
| lbs. My owners manual says I can towe up to 3000 lbs with the optional
| towing package. How can I tell if I have the towing option. Also, when
| I go to the U-haul web site and put in my vehicle, it says I can towe
| a trailer with a weight of 4400 lbs. I have no idea if I can tow it. I
| have a class II hitch.

Addendum:

I should have stated that you should bring the auto in question with you. You may need your
suspension beefed up., etc.

Dave

Towing capacities are almost always determined by the size of your
brakes...If your brakes are rated to be able to stop 8000#. and if your car
only weighs 5000#, you are supposed to be able to tow 3000#. Good luck if
you believe that this is all there is to it.
Published towing capacites have nothing to do with the size of your engine,
your suspension, or whether you car has a frame. Most modern cars are built
like an airplane and don't have a frame, or solid undercarriage. If you tow
with a car that is built without a frame, you will eventually stretch it.
You recognize this when your doors will no longer shut!
I had a V-6 Ford Bronco Two, and it had a hard time pulling 3000# eventhough
it was rated for 5000#. That tiny little V-6 (2900cc) slowed way down
going up the slightest grades and overheated easily. I traded it in for an
Expedition with a 5.4 liter V-8.
Finally don't try it unless the "Published capacity" is at least that of
what you are towing. If it is less and you have an accident, you will be
cited and will be found at fault if there is damage or injuries to someone
else.

Re the Towing package..This is usually an extra large radiator with extra
capacity to cool your automatic transmission fluid. Perhaps a radiator man
can tell you if you have it. If you have a stick shift, it may not matter.


"Dan" wrote in message
om...
I am looking to buy a boat and need to know if I can towe it with my
V-6 Olds 98 regency elite. The boat and trailer will weigh around 3000
lbs. My owners manual says I can towe up to 3000 lbs with the optional
towing package. How can I tell if I have the towing option. Also, when
I go to the U-haul web site and put in my vehicle, it says I can towe
a trailer with a weight of 4400 lbs. I have no idea if I can tow it. I
have a class II hitch.


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Dan wrote:
I am looking to buy a boat and need to know if I can towe it with my
V-6 Olds 98 regency elite. The boat and trailer will weigh around 3000
lbs. My owners manual says I can towe up to 3000 lbs with the optional
towing package. How can I tell if I have the towing option. Also, when
I go to the U-haul web site and put in my vehicle, it says I can towe
a trailer with a weight of 4400 lbs. I have no idea if I can tow it. I
have a class II hitch.

Generally you should have a separate transmission cooler (with
automatic), heavy duty battery and alternator and heavier rear springs
if equipped with a tow package. A V-6 of any type usually is never
equipped with a tow package and though U-haul may be good at installing
hitches I sure would not take their word on you vehicle's towing
capacity. Best bet is to go to a dealer and have them look up your vin
number and they can tell you all you need to know about your vehicle's
capabilities.

Jerry

The chevy Blazers and Ford Bronco Twos with V-6's were optionally equiped
with tow packages. In Fact, Chevy equiped their straight 4 cylinger Blazer
with a tow package, and advertised it as having the highest tow rating in
its class; they could do this becasue the 4 cylinder weighed significantly
less than the V-6. It didn't matter that the little 4 couldn't pull much.



"Jerry" wrote in message
...
Dan wrote:
I am looking to buy a boat and need to know if I can towe it with my
V-6 Olds 98 regency elite. The boat and trailer will weigh around 3000
lbs. My owners manual says I can towe up to 3000 lbs with the optional
towing package. How can I tell if I have the towing option. Also, when
I go to the U-haul web site and put in my vehicle, it says I can towe
a trailer with a weight of 4400 lbs. I have no idea if I can tow it. I
have a class II hitch.

Generally you should have a separate transmission cooler (with
automatic), heavy duty battery and alternator and heavier rear springs
if equipped with a tow package. A V-6 of any type usually is never
equipped with a tow package and though U-haul may be good at installing
hitches I sure would not take their word on you vehicle's towing
capacity. Best bet is to go to a dealer and have them look up your vin
number and they can tell you all you need to know about your vehicle's
capabilities.

Jerry



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Sierra fisher wrote:
The chevy Blazers and Ford Bronco Twos with V-6's were optionally equiped
with tow packages. In Fact, Chevy equiped their straight 4 cylinger Blazer
with a tow package, and advertised it as having the highest tow rating in
its class; they could do this becasue the 4 cylinder weighed significantly
less than the V-6. It didn't matter that the little 4 couldn't pull much.


Sounds like a lot of advertising hype that probable left many
disappointed with performance not to mention prematurely failed engines
and drive trains. Sounds like something that may be okay to tow a small
trailer with Home Depot supplies or a jet ski with but when you start
getting up in weight such as the 3,000 pounds Dan will be towing it just
isn't worth the danger and hassle involved. That amount of weight may
not sound like much but when you start trying to pull it up a steep
incline, stop it on a decline or control it in a cross wind you quickly
come to realize what you have back there.

Jerry

Generally you should have a separate transmission cooler (with
automatic),
I can add this, price do it yourself $60-80. I plan to do this.
why? "heavy duty battery and alternator"

Suspension might be a problem although this particular year comes with
quote "heavier" leaf springs.

The V6 is a 3.8 litre (3800) GM motor (170hp). I will be towing this
boat short distances ( less than 1/4 mile) except twice a year, when I
will tow it approx 150 miles. The boat and trailer should be around
3000lbs, curb weight of the car 3400lbs.What do you think?

"They know what they're doing." That's a lot of faith!

"David H. Lipman" wrote in message
...
I would say go visit a U-Haul outfit. Since they install hitches and tow
packages they know
what they are doing.

Dave

I sounds like you're going to do it regardless of anyone's advice. Re
your suspension: you will have to determine the tongue weight or the loaded
trailer. It should be about 200# for safety: e.i. to make sure that it
stays on the hitch. If it is significantly more, like 400#, the rear end of
your car will be dragging on the pavement untless you put some kind of load
levelor shocks on the car. If it is 200# or less you can weigh it with a
bathroom scale. If it more, you will have to go some place that weighs
trucks.


"Dan" wrote in message
om...
Generally you should have a separate transmission cooler (with
automatic),
I can add this, price do it yourself $60-80. I plan to do this.
why? "heavy duty battery and alternator"

Suspension might be a problem although this particular year comes with
quote "heavier" leaf springs.

The V6 is a 3.8 litre (3800) GM motor (170hp). I will be towing this
boat short distances ( less than 1/4 mile) except twice a year, when I
will tow it approx 150 miles. The boat and trailer should be around
3000lbs, curb weight of the car 3400lbs.What do you think?


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