Towing with a '93 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon

[Grianainech]

Hello,

I'm looking to use a '93 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon for towing. I've done a fair amount of internet searching, and it seems that both the boating and the RV communities have found that vehicle to be pretty adept at significant towing.

But I've yet to find a Class III hitch for that car.

Any suggestions?

Please and thank you!

~ Michael

 

[rockyrude]

Re: Towing with a '93 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon

The only way to get a sane answer is to tell us what you are planning to tow.
BTW Welcome aboard

 

[Grianainech]

Re: Towing with a '93 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon

The only way to get a sane answer is to tell us what you are planning to tow.
BTW Welcome aboard

A single car trailer. (So, a car on a trailer.) That's why I'm looking for Class III*? or as heavy as I can reasonably get. I can't imagine that a trailer with one car on it could possibly weigh more than the boats and RVs I'm reading about Roadmasters towing.

Again, the towing vehicle would be a '93 Buick Roadmaster Estate wagon with the auto-leveling suspension. I'd add a trans-cooler, as I understand that is likely the weakest link.

But without a Class III hitch, it seems like I'm dead in the water.

Thanks!

~ Michael

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: Towing with a '93 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon

Have you tried U haul or a camper shop? A true hitch shop can build one for this car, but would be on pricey side. I normlly buy a hitch for a car withing several years of being new so have always been able to get on. Another option is to contact a hitch maker to see what they have that will work, Reese has several universal fit hitches that may work.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Towing with a '93 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon

I tow my 18' boat with my '96 Roadmaster, LT-1 V8, trailer towing package(heavier springs, transmission cooler, positraction differential), it tows just fine. My car came with that self-leveling air suspension, but I disconnected that and installed some new air shocks, so I can add as much air as I need to maintain a level load. With about 200lbs. of tongue weight I run about 110lbs of air in shocks...really work good towing at 75MPH! You can have a transmission cooler added easily and it helps keep transmission fluid cooler and fresher longer. Regarding the positraction differential, I don't think you would ever need it except on a real slick boat ramp or similar. Make sure your radiator and cooling system is up to par because towing in the summer will put it to the test! Good Luck!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Towing with a '93 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon

A single car trailer. (So, a car on a trailer.) That's why I'm looking for Class III*? or as heavy as I can reasonably get.

How heavy is the car you are going to tow and how much does the trailer way? I believe the Roaddisaster is rated to tow 5K.

 

[Grianainech]

Re: Towing with a '93 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon

I tow my 18' boat with my '96 Roadmaster, LT-1 V8, trailer towing package

What do you have for a hitch?


As far as what I'm going to be towing, it'll be a variety of cars. I do Picture Car Placement for films and other productions. Typically the owners of the cars have their own trailers and don't want to let their babies out of their sight. But once in a while someone will just lease their vehicle to the production for the run of shooting. So it might be a Model T, it might be a 2012 Camaro. If we need multiple cars, we just bring in semi or a fifth-wheel. But it's not uncommon to need to just pick up one car. The wagon would be great (if it'll work) because it's a Grandma/SoccerMom-mobile and can "work" even when not being used as a tow vehicle, whereas buying a dedicated truck for perhaps three uses a year would suck the profit out of the job for several years. Especially if I bought a truck that could also be used as a people mover. The Roadmaster is already here and paid for.

Naturally, if it's a '74 Eldorado or a Shelby Cobra or some other exceptional vehicle, either in size or value, we'll make appropriate arrangements, but the bulk of the tasks in the last couple of years would have been a Model A, a '30s coupe, a Gremlin and a Toyota Camry. So, as I said, it varies.

I'm sorry to get people so far off the aquatic focus, but there's not a lot of info out there on the subject, and boaters at least think differently enough that you'd have an idea, compared to my flat-out guessing!

Many thanks!

~ Michael

 

[robert graham]

Re: Towing with a '93 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon

I tow my 18' boat with my '96 Roadmaster, LT-1 V8, trailer towing package

What do you have for a hitch?


As far as what I'm going to be towing, it'll be a variety of cars. I do Picture Car Placement for films and other productions. Typically the owners of the cars have their own trailers and don't want to let their babies out of their sight. But once in a while someone will just lease their vehicle to the production for the run of shooting. So it might be a Model T, it might be a 2012 Camaro. If we need multiple cars, we just bring in semi or a fifth-wheel. But it's not uncommon to need to just pick up one car. The wagon would be great (if it'll work) because it's a Grandma/SoccerMom-mobile and can "work" even when not being used as a tow vehicle, whereas buying a dedicated truck for perhaps three uses a year would suck the profit out of the job for several years. Especially if I bought a truck that could also be used as a people mover. The Roadmaster is already here and paid for.

Naturally, if it's a '74 Eldorado or a Shelby Cobra or some other exceptional vehicle, either in size or value, we'll make appropriate arrangements, but the bulk of the tasks in the last couple of years would have been a Model A, a '30s coupe, a Gremlin and a Toyota Camry. So, as I said, it varies.

I'm sorry to get people so far off the aquatic focus, but there's not a lot of info out there on the subject, and boaters at least think differently enough that you'd have an idea, compared to my flat-out guessing!

Many thanks!

~ Michael

Not knowing the total weight of your trailer and car, I'd still guess it'll pull it, but maybe not up in the mountains, in 102 degree weather, for 1500 miles. Still you better get a transmission cooler and be sure your cooling system is up to par. How far are you pulling? Does the trailer have brakes? My boat, motor and trailer might be 2500 lbs. and it pulls just fine, but it would be a stretch to try and pull 5000lbs., at least very far. An F-250 truck would work! Good luck and be careful!

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Towing with a '93 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon

Here's one option, just Google "Class III hitch Buick Roadmaster." There are several others.
http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Buick/Roadmaster/1994/75146.html?vehicleid=19944118

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: Towing with a '93 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon

Advance sells a Reese class III hitch for $130 or so thats intended for trucks, SUV's, and minivans. It comes with a crap load of bolts and hardware, the tube width is adjustable, and the brackets are adjustable. I've used it to bolt up to my '74 LeSabre and my buddy's Mark VIII with NO drilling or welding so I'm certain it can be adapted to fit most any vehicle

 

[etracer68]

Re: Towing with a '93 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon

I have to ask, because I didnt read it in any replys, is there brakes (good working) on the trailer your talking about? If not, then I would say NO!

 

[JDA1975]

Re: Towing with a '93 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon

If its the ability to tow and still carry passengers that concerns you, then get yourself a crew cab truck! I have had 5 adults and 1 kid in mine and we were all quite comfortable.

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: Towing with a '93 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon

I'd also try calling a few salvage yards since I've seen a lot of B body wagons with class III hitches