'70s-'90s Cadillac Lincoln Caprice tow capacity?

[airbass]

ok.. I have a 75 - 29ft centre bath Land Yacht. Weight is 4800 lbs. I'm trying to find a vintage tow vehicle - perhaps a Caddy, Lincoln, Caprice - but cannot find any towing capacities online

Does anyone have any experience or knowledge of these cars - or suggestions on a good tow vehicle?

[wkerfoot]

Originally Posted by airbass

ok.. I have a 75 - 29ft centre bath Land Yacht. Weight is 4800 lbs. I'm trying to find a vintage tow vehicle - perhaps a Caddy, Lincoln, Caprice - but cannot find any towing capacities online

Does anyone have any experience or knowledge of these cars - or suggestions on a good tow vehicle?

Airbass,

The mid to late 1970's Lincolns with a 460 and 3.0 rear axle ratio have a towing rating of 6,000 lbs. My Lincoln has a 2.75 rear axle, but tows the Safari and the Liner quite well.

Any of the vehicles, including a full size Ford, Mercury or Chrysler product with the big engine should work well for your 29 footer.

Remember, except for Suburbans and a few pickups, full size cars were the tow vehicle of choice up until the late 1970's.

Bill

[overlander64]

Greetings airbass!

While I do like my '75 Cadillac Eldorado (6,000 pound trailer tow rating), it is a bit of a struggle with my '64 Overlander on hills. Due to its front wheel drive, hitch adjustment is critical to maintain traction for the drive wheels -- slippery surfaces are a nightmare if the hitch isn't adjusted to push a little more weight forward to keep the front wheels well planted on the pavement. The shortcomings of the Eldorado for trailer towing is its 2.70 final drive (1973-1978). Prior to 1973, the final drive was 3.07 which was the same as the basic GMC Motorhome of the same era. Another shortcoming is that the OEM wheels are well-known for being knocked out of true and developing other problems when scrubbed on curbs or run into curbs, etc. -- aftermarket wheels are virtually unheard of -- and while custom wheels are availabe -- the only customs that I found were much larger than stock and would not permit towing due to lack of clearance.


1975 Eldorado Convertible with 1978 Minute 6.0 Metre -- while nice, the Boyd Coddington custom wheels were too large and rubbed on the inner fenders and wheel opening molding when any type of bumb was encountered towing the Minuet -- this tow only lasted 4 miles and nearly ruined one of the very expensive low profile tires.

Had I been intending to purchase a vintage towcar, I would have held out for a 1970 Cadillac DeVille Convertible. While it would have had a 472 V8 rather than the 501 V8, it would have had rear wheel drive permitting changing of axle ratios if necessary for better towing performance. It would also have a more standard wheel that could more easily be replaced.



Basically, the senior GM cars from about 1970 through 1974 carried trailer tow ratings of 7,000 pounds when equipped with the largest V8 -- (455 Oldsmobile, 455 Buick, 501 Cadillac, 455 Pontiac) and the factory trailer tow package -- usually including heavy duty spring, heavy duty alternator, heavy duty battery, extra cooling radiator, 3.23 or 3.73 differential ratio, and larger tires/specific wheels. By senior cars, I am referring to:

• Buick Electra 225 & Park Avenue
• Oldsmobile 98 and 98 Regency
• Cadillac DeVille and Fleetwood Brougham

From about 1970 through 1975, the main full-size lines usually carried a 6,000 pound trailer tow rating when equipped with the largest V8 (455 Buick, 455 Oldsmobile, 455 Pontiac, 454 Chevrolet) the trailer tow package including the same basic equipment as the senior cars. The main full-size lines included:

• Buick LeSabre, Centurion
• Oldsmobile Delta 88, Delta 88 Royale, Delta 88 Royale Brougham
• Pontiac Catalina, Bonneville, Grandville, Grandville Brougham
• Chevrolet Belair, Impala, Caprice, Caprice Classic

If you find convertibles an interesting alternative, the last year for the senior series convertibles was 1970. Beginning in 1971 the Cadillac Eldorado and Pontic Grandville were the only senior series convertibles. The main line full-size convertibles ended in 1975.

With the downsizing that took place in 1975 for the senior cars and 1976 for the main line full-size cars, trailer tow ratings were also impacted. Initially each were dropped at least 1,000 pounds based upon smaller motors -- a 403 V8 was about the largest available in anything but the Cadillac through about 1985.

Kevin

[overlander64]

I found the following information in some of my electronic files that I discovered when researching an alternative to my '75 Eldorado. This information pertains to the Cadillac Brougham D'Elegance from 1993-1996.

""The 7,000 lb (3,200 kg) trailer towing package you want is RPO V4P, and you will see this on the parts decal on the underside of the trunk lid. This package was available on the 93-96 Fleetwoods and it's return to the Gen 5 Fleetwood in 1993 was something not seen in a production sedan since the 1971-1976 Gen 3 Fleetwood. The RPO V4P package included heavy duty cooling (RPO V08, which consisted of a 7 blade mechanical fan and an extra capacity radiator), RPO FE2 Suspension System Ride Handling, HD 4L60 transmission, RPO KC4 Cooling System Engine Oil, RPO KD1 Cooling System Transmission Oil, RPO KG9 140 amp alternator, and RPO GT4 3.73 gears with an 8.5" ring gear in 1993, then in 1994-1996, the V4P package was revised with RPO GU6 3.42 gears with and HD 4L60E transmission with unique accumulators to shift smoother with the shorter rear axle gearing.""

Kevin

[Road Ruler]

Back in the late 60's when I was a teen friends towed their 27' with a 1965 Plymouth Fury. It had a 383 4V and a posi rear. I recall once when they pulled away with Airstream in tow the rear tires broke loose on dry payment.

They later towed with a full size 70's Dodge sedan (lemon) and then a Suburban. The owner always commented that the Fury was the best TV of the bunch.

My Dad towed with a 64 Dodge V8, a 66 Chrysler Windsor sedan 383 2V, and then a 72 Ford LTD with a 400 2V. All worked well.

[Silverhobby]

I used to tow a 26' Overlander with a 1973 Mercury Marquis Brougham. It had the 460 V-8, not sure of the rear axle. Never had a problem with power or handling.

[mutcth]

Personally, if I wanted a full-size domestic sedan for towing, I'd get a 94-96 Cadillac Fleetwood with the LT1 V8. As overlander64 mentioned above, with the towing package, they were rated for 7000 lbs. (Oddly enough, the concurrent Buick Roadmaster was only rated for 5000 lbs.) Seems to me that that's probably the best combination of "newness" and capacity.

Then again, maybe I picked this relatively modern car because I've sworn (after a 81 Buick Electra) that I'd never own another roadgoing vehicle with a carb again....

Tom

[Silverwanabe]

With regards to the 94-96 Cadillac Fleetwoods as a tow vehicle.

I have one and have included pics of the rig.

I had fun with the wiring.
The harness is in the trunk but there is no brake or back up wires.

Running the brake wire from the controller to the rear end was fun....

I have not towed it anywhere yet, but I am sure it will be ok.

[Silvertwinkie]

Caddy is a "D" body platform and as such has a much more robust frame. The Buick, Chevy and Olds wagons had beefed up frames too that could allow 7k towing. The Olds however was phased out and did not have the LT1 option the Caddy, Buick or Chevy had.

The Caddy hands down has the power, weight and frame to tackle about 7k. However, keep in mind that you may need to shut off the auto level feature when towing.

There are modifications that would help the Caddy and their LT1 counterparts maintain the edge. Some of those are an additional in line trans cooler, deep trans pan, and a ram air type torque converter cover. With PCM modifications you can install a 160F thermostat and have the secondary fans kick in sooner. This is due to the LT1s reverse cooling where the heads get cooled first compared to conventional cooling where the block gets the coolant first, then the heated coolant goes to the heads before being routed back through the radiator. With the Caddy, Buick and Chevy lines, most have the mechanical primary cooling fan, with secondary electric fan. The Impala SS got two electric fans. Add the police package front ball joints (5/8 vs 7/16) and you have one hell of a front end. You can also get the 9C1 (police package) power steering cooler too.

Stock you will have to tow in 3rd gear. If you get the PCM modified to lock the torque converter sooner than later, you can tow in overdrive, however if you start to hunt for gears on the hills, you will have to take it out of OD to prevent trans overheating and premature wear.

For the most part, from the 70s through the 90s, the B and D platforms which represent the vehicles we're talking about here had very few changes. As a matter of fact I had a 1980 Olds Delta 88, a "B" body car and compared it to my 1996 Impala SS. outside of engine and trans, mechanically the cars were nearly identical. Even had the same holes in the frame (both small and large). I would wholeheartedly suggest an LT1 powered wagon or the Caddy Fleetwood for RVs around 5-6k lbs with the right hitch and brake controller setups.

As you can tell I am a rabid B/D body enthusiast. I've turned many a wrench under mine over the past 20 years. They are great cars, and actually they are nearly 1/2 equiv trucks, which is why the General killed them off at the end of 1996 since there was far more profit in trucks. The Arlington, TX plant that produced these vehicles was converted to truck building after 1996 after the last baby rolled off the assembly line. I think it was an Impala SS that was the last body on frame car to leave there.

[mustang]

Originally Posted by airbass

ok.. I have a 75 - 29ft centre bath Land Yacht. Weight is 4800 lbs. I'm trying to find a vintage tow vehicle - perhaps a Caddy, Lincoln, Caprice - but cannot find any towing capacities online

Does anyone have any experience or knowledge of these cars - or suggestions on a good tow vehicle?

Any of the cars you mentioned will work with the proper drive line. Keep in mind Big block engines are a different anilaml then small blocks. Big blocks ( 440, 454, 460, 455, 400 ) they make there HP/torque at a lower RPM. so you might get away with a 3:23 axle ratio. I would reccomend 3:42 or 3:55 even 3:73 for a small block. You will not have the throttle response as a new car, mainly because of fuel injection. Also If I rememeber the hitches were different then also. They mounted back by the bumper but had an arm that went up near the rear axle. I am not sure if that was because the the frame strength back there or what. ( keeping in mind when you pass the rear axle arch your frame is for holding the body, torque transfer stops) If you get a car with points, before you sump cash all over the place, switch it to electronic ignition. What a difference. I just did it on my 41 plymouth with a flat head.

Good luck, and please post pics when you get the set

[slowmover]

Came across a 1976 Sedan De Ville door sticker yesterday (same TV used by my folks to tow an 8k GVWR Silver Streak for 12-years):

GVWR: 6,638
FAWR: 3,250
RAWR: 3,388

My father changed the rear coil springs to progressive type (aftermarket), the dealer added an optional 3.15 posi rear (2.73 stock) plus a trans cooler. Also added an ADDCO rear anti-roll bar. Hitch receiver was custom-made.

Car was used with a five-member family. And, as was the norm, virtually nothing with any weight was carried in the car trunk. (I'd imagine that with the proliferation of easily accessed certified scales today that this practice could have been modified).

http://100megsfree4.com/cadillac/cad1970/cad76d.htm1976 Cad Spec

If we takes true curb weight to be driver plus full fuel, then a 5,127-lb ship weight car with some options ought to have been around 5,500-lbs. Leaving approximately 1,100-lbs for pax and TW.

TW on that TT would have been around 900-lbs, so with WDH activated leaving 600-lbs on TV that serves memory pretty well of that TV being at Max most all the time (as three kids plus another adult would account for the remainder).

He sold it with 190k on the clock. Next owner was still using it to tow an enclosed car trailer past 240k on oem engine.

Avg towing mpg = 7-8

Refill that 27.5/gl tank about every 180-190 miles to maintain a slight reserve every three hours or so.



.

[4RXLA]

The first tow vehicle for my 77 31' Airstream was a 75 Cadillac Coupe deVille with the 500 inch V8 and turbo 400 3 speed transmission. Because of the large size and overhang of the trunk, air shocks and sway control were necessary. Aside from that the caddy did just fine. Any mid 70's station wagon or car with the large V8 should work fine.

[ventport]

A 1970 Cad came with 472 cubic inch engine that had 375 horse power and close to 500 foot pounds of torque in stock form. If you get a 70 Cad Eldorado it had a 500 cubic inch engine, with bigger numbers in torque and HP. Either one of these would pull the hitch off of any Airstream that you wanted to pull. My vote is for early 70's Cadillacs.