Towing with an Aurora

[DFDureiko]

friend of mine has an Olds Aurora V8, he thought he was going to tow a '95 34ft Classic Limited. (he's new and never towed in his life) so I've brought him down to earth, and told him if he INSISTED on keeping the Aurora as a tow car, to look at a '76 25ft Tradewind....which I think can be towed with a standard hitch assembly. We are also looking at an '83 31ft,,,,I think the Aurora will be fine WITH A HENSLEY....personally I think he should get a pickup, where are you going to put the grill and all the camping stuff!! I'd like some opinions.....
Thanks
Dan

[Road Ruler]

Good day Dan... Your friend may be on to a very nice TV with lots of potential.

Suggest talking with the towing pro's at Can AM....

http://www.canamrv.ca/towing/

Also note forum member Andrew T (Can Am) posts a number of articles in this forum about cars towing Airstreams.

Best of luck with your research.

[Aage]

Dan,

You don't mention what year the Aurora is, but they were last produced for sales as 2003, which could be a car built in 2002.

I wouldn't go across the street in a twelve-year-old car without having it checked over very carefully.

However, on the surface, it would appear to be a potentially good TV, with it's high-tech V8 (which became the Cadillac Northstar power plant) and a 4-speed transmission. Just concerned with what may need to be invested in a car of its age...

[handn]

The weak spots in old V-8 sedans are the suspensions and transmissions. The latter routinely fail in 100 k miles or less going solo. Towing a heavy trailer would radically shorten their life.
The suspension is so squishy it isn't up to the task of controlling a large trailer.
A light weight smaller, older AS is a better match.

[DFDureiko]

Of course I'm insisting he install auxiliary transmission cooler :-) I think 176 25 foot work out best for that tow vehicle

[DFDureiko]

OK, next problem, I can't seem to find a ClassIII hitch for the Aurora online, anyone have any suggestions? I did find out it is a 2001 4.0V8

[Road Ruler]

He will need a custom built hitch for that car.

He/you really needs to consult with a towing specialist like Can Am to set up that car. Yes a large tranny cooler is in order.

__________________

[Aage]

Interesting: this car made the Consumers Reports `used Cars to Avoid` list, the `Cash for clunkers: The best gas guzzlers to junk` list, and yet they liked it, it seems:

The Aurora's ride is taut and firm, yet supple enough to take the edge off most bumps. Its highway ride is acceptable, though not as plush as that of the DeVille or RL. A full load degrades it slightly. The cabin is quiet, but not as cocoonlike as the DeVille's.

[Road Ruler]

About 8 years ago I talked with Mr. T about the Aurora as a TV for our 23'. His response was positive for the v6 or v8 model.