towing requirements?

[monterey1962]

Hypothetically speaking, what would have to be done to a stock '89 CV to make it safe for towing something over a long distance? In this case, I'm thinking of the distant possibility of a dolly and another car behind the CV while on the way back from SF. This is in case I happen across another car that suites my fancy.

I would assume I would need: receiver hitch and trans cooler. Anything else?

[91 LTD]

Engine oil cooler and some sort of wiring harness for the brake lights?

[LTDMan83]

I would also go with an aux. power steering cooler.

[91 LTD]

Dont tow pkgs. also include sway bars?

[gabegt90]

trans cooler a must also sence you may use a tow dolly I wluld recomand at class 3 hitch I have class one for my 4x6 open trailer

[LTDMan83]

My current 87 tow package came with an 1 1/8 front sway bar.Which is a little larger than the stocker,but still was not as large as the PI front bar I have now.To my knowledge CV/GM tow pack cars did'nt come with a rear sway bar.

[91 LTD]

Word, PI sway bars are pretty burly.

[Southern_Pride]

I have stock cooler and tow whatever hooks on my tow hitch. I dont have any problems. I do have heavier suspension and shocks. I would recommend those.

[Blaze86Vic]

Tranny cooler and make sure the engine coolant is in good order. An oil cooler would be a nice bonus.

[grandpaslincoln]

Yeah, get a class III hitch, that's what GL has, plus the trans cooler

[p71towny]

Trans cooler, hitch, and air shocks. Retard the timing a bit to keep from pinging if under a load.

[gadget73]

The rear sway bar does nothing for load carrying. Air shocks and possibly wagon or cargo coils would be a bonus. Trans cooler is a must. Oil cooler is not a must, but the cooling system needs to be in good order. Don't try to pull things with a partially clogged radiator, it will just overheat. Make sure your cooling plumbing is in good order too, replace any old hoses. Service the trans, and make sure the TV pressure is set properly. I would also make sure the braking system is in proper working order. Other than that, just don't tow in overdrive, and don't beat on the car. If you can get your hands on a tow dolly that has electric brakes (someone must make one, tho I've never seen such) that would be the shit. In such a case you'd need an electric brake controller, but at a minimum you'll need trailer wiring. On these cars its not hard but you may need to change out the blinker stat for a heavy duty unit so the lights don't flash super fast with the trailer plugged in.

[grandpaslincoln]

I've got a brake controller, but like gadget said, it's hard to find a trailer that has electric brakes. The only thing the controller does right now is hit me in the shin lol

[gabegt90]

I'm just woundering what would happend if you did tow in overdrive because I always do tow in regular drive up hills and lowergear

[mrltd]

I'm just woundering what would happend if you did tow in overdrive because I always do tow in regular drive up hills and lowergear

You will be replacing the transmission and will be waiting for a tow truck