http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ford...enameZRSSQ3aBQ3aSRCHQ3aUSQ3a101#ht_500wt_1182 Do you think that this thing gets at least 15-16 MPG and could pull a U-haul trailer across several states?
Depends on the mechanical condition. And the weight of the trailer and type of hitch. If the car is in good shape then probably yes.
That is the problem I am running into while trying to figure out what kind of wagon to get. :confused: My wife and I have been talking and even though we aren't thrilled about getting worse gas mileage we are leaning more towards a full size wagon rather than something smaller or even just one with a V8. Everything we own would fit into either a 5 x 10 or 6 x 12 cargo trailer from U-Haul. As for the hitch I would get the one that best fits the trailer I would be using. Despite having moved 48 times in my life we either used a truck or took trips in whatever vehicle my family had. I'm not sure if this helps narrow it down at all. But I could use any advice or input I could possibly get. I already bought the wrong kind of car before I don't want to make that mistake again.
For towing, FIND A FACTORY TOW PACKAGE CAR!!! Without the tow package baked in at the factory, none of the cars out there are rated for more than 2,000 lbs. That's a Class I hitch! The 80's full sized G.M. and Ford/Mercury (302CID) wagons are rated for 5,000 lbs (Class III). If you get lucky and find a Colony Park or Country Squire with the factory Trailer Tow III package nd the 351W, it is rated for 6,000 (Class III/IV). These latter ones, by the way, will come close to a Honda Civic for mileage on the highway when not towing. Mechanical parts are dead easy and dirt cheap for the Fords, too. Frankly, beating 18 mpg should be a snap! I'm doing almost 25 in a 78 Thunderbird with a 351M engine. It matches the mileage of a diesel Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Good advice to get a factory tow package car. Has advantages. Extra cooling capacity, tranny cooler, heavier suspension, class III hitch, etc. It would cost a lot to try and match the factory tow pack upgrades.
In the case of the CP/CV 351 equipped Trailer Tow III cars, it is impossible to build one yourself. Ford started with the Police Package frame. The wagons already had the 15 X 6.5 wheels, heavy duty brakes and u-joints. The package included: 3 core rad, Transmission cooler Power steering cooler stiffer springs/shocks/bushings Heavy duty front end parts different right inner fender (will hold an 1,100 amp battery) Traction Loc limited slip differential, 2.73:1 gears Dual exhaust 1 1/4 inch front anti-sway bar Full spare 7 lead wiring harness. All lighting circuits ran through a relay system to isolate the trailer electrics. NOT included was the plug on the end of the trailer wiring and the hitch receiver. Ford figured there were too many variables, so didn't include those 2 things. BTW, the towing package cost less on the wagons than the sedan, which added the bigger rear brakes and wider rims along with the heavy duty u-joints. Tow package cost, in Canada, in 1989 for a sedan was a whole, hot $550.00. Bargain of the century in my books! These cars came with a factory tow rating of 6,000 lbs, tongue weight of 750.
D MN!!! I really like that. We decided to haul by wagon and trailer rather than truck and car-on-a trailer because we can't fit all of us in the cab... and we have wanted another wagon for years. Originally, we were going to move then sell the Kia we have now afterwards, and then buy a wagon. It just isn't possible. No matter what, we are getting a wagon, that we knew. Now that my kia is up for sale, we are looking, and once it sells, we will buy our wagon and save the rest of the $ for the move. This info is priceless! I'm so excited! I think I'm gonna wet myself when I get one.
Excellent info, Mike. Mine's from Mexico, and had a factory package for a Class 1 (tiny hitch, steering and tranny cooler, and wiring.) I just rewired both the car and the trailer, with the 7 wire setup, since my trailer lights have Back Up lenses. It didn't have wider wheels, etc. I barely use the trailer, except locally for lumber and topsoil, but if I had to drive back to Mexico, I'd beef up the transmission or swap to a 4-speed standard, from a Mustang. The 6-banger tranny wouldn't take it, without spending much more.
i have gotten 28.5 mpg on flat level ground in my roadmaster. in hilly terrain the tow pack roadmasters get slightly better mpg than my 2:56 geared, non-tow car. Roadmasters tow fabulously and we have one guy in the regional club that tows a custom impala with his roadmaster...it doesnt even flinch. you are gonna get crappy mpg no matter what when you tow. my ford focus got 23mpg when i towed a uhaul pod trailer with it and they where very aerodynamic.
See.....nobody believes that these huge wagons with the LT1 can get that kind of mileage, Ian. I've made side comments here and there about these wagons pushing 30 MPG and got jumped. There's a guy over on impss that got OVER 30.
Mike, a guy overthere that goes by convert2diesel put a 6.2l detroit out of a c/k3500 In a 93 roadmaster and is gettimg 40+
