Towing with a grand prix

[Skiuseme]

Alright lets start off with some numbers. My Car is a 2001 grand prix gt with the 3.8 liter motor non supercharged. It has a towing capacity of 1000 lbs and a tounge weight of 200 lbs. Now my boat is a 14 foot flat bottom monark. with a 25 horse johnson on the back. weights in at 600 with full fuel and full takleboxes and a 50 pound cooler. I have no problems pulling it up out of the water or towing with it. My question is My car sits really low at stock height. When I put my boat in the river I am very nervious about dunking my tail pipes so I never really full submerge my trailor. What I would like to find is a ball mount extender That puts my trailer coupler about 15-18 iches farther behind where it is now. I know i will be extendeding my vehicle but thats the least of my worries. Safety is a big issue with me on this I would to hear opionions on this from a safety issue being that the stress from my boat it is putting on my "extended" receiver. I feel its more points for failure while towing. <br /><br /><br /> Yes I have thought that I will also have to extend the lights and also the saftey chains. <br /><br /> Also if someone could point me in the directions of an extender for an 1 1/4" Extender. <br /><br />Thanks <br />Adam

 

[DaveM]

Re: Towing with a grand prix

Instead of rigging up some contraption for your barely able to handle the load car, you might want to consider buying an older S10/Ranger type little truck to do the towing. My guess is there are plenty in your neck of the woods and a 4WD might come in handy for that winter trip to the Mayo. Just something to think about...

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Towing with a grand prix

The longest I can find is at etrailer.com. It's a 10" extender for the 1 1/4" receiver. Here's the rub. According to their stuff, it reduces the capacity by 50%. You might still be OK with your light rig, but I'd be very cautious about this. You're already pushing it with your Grand Prix, I think. They just aren't towing rigs.<br /><br />Still, if 10" will do you any good, then you might try it, but here's what I'd do:<br /><br />Use the extender only for launching. Use your regular drawbar for towing. When you get to the lake or river, switch drawbars. You won't have to mess with the lights or chains, and it would only take a few minutes. Launch, then reverse the process on retrieval to tow home.<br /><br />It will help if you have a tongue jack for your trailer, of course, but I imagine your tongue weight is pretty low anyhow, so you could get away by just hand lifting.<br /><br />Apparently, they make nothing longer than 10". You might be able to find a longer drawbar, though, and add that, but only for launch and retrieve.<br /><br />I simply wouldn't tow your boat with any extension on the towing hardware. Too risky.

 

[reddog349]

Re: Towing with a grand prix

Skiuseme ,<br />I have a 16 ft monarch with a 40 hp and had problems getting the trailer far enough back without dunking my truck in the water plus I had to be careful not to hit my tailgate when turning.I had 3 ft. added by a certified welder - worked great!

 

[JStutz]

Re: Towing with a grand prix

If you leave the car running, what damage would submerging the tailpipes do? Seems to me it would just make bubbles. Maybe not a good long term thing but to just launch a boat shouldn't be a big deal.<br /><br />Jeff

 

[sigep0435]

Re: Towing with a grand prix

I see where your coming from on this one, but I'm a realist, and I would strongly suggest finding another tow vehicle. But if that is not an option on your list, I would keep the setup as is. Lengthening will cause a decrease in strength and capacity, and most likely lead to failure. And, It won't hurt the exhaust for it to be submerged, just leave the engine running. Best of luck to whatever you decided.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Towing with a grand prix

Don't worry about dunking the tailpipes. They see a lot worse than lake water. Plus that car is FWD so you have no worries about submerging the rear axle vent. With that setup the only real problem I can see is maybe water leaking into the trunk through some plugs or drain holes.

 

[fishingdan]

Re: Towing with a grand prix

You can make or buy a trailer tongue extension that can be used for launching or retrieving. <br /><br />Here is one example:<br /><br /> http://www.xtend-a-hitchnorthwest.com/ <br /><br />Haven't used one, but it seems to be a viable option.

 

[reddog349]

Re: Towing with a grand prix

Adding more on worked in my case however I had the vehicle to pull the extra load and the trialer was heavy enough to take it.Id do what others have said and ether live with "dunkin the tail pipes" or get a old truck.

 

[T S N]

Re: Towing with a grand prix

Add to the trailer, not the tow vehicle.<br />I had an extended tounge installed on my trailer and it works great on the shallow ramps.