towing pakage?

Topic: towing pakage? (Read 4399 times) previous topic - next topic

towing pakage?

October 23, 2006, 12:24:11 AM

what did the towing package consist of? i am looking into buying a "teardrop" camper trailer. i have a 86 cougar with the 5.0 and AOD transmission. would the transmission hold up to towing? i wouldn't think the wieght would be alot. How hard is it to put a towbar on? any ideas?

towing pakage?

Reply #1 – October 23, 2006, 03:19:23 AM

well... i dont really have any specifics on that.. but i DO think that the fuel tank on a towing package equiped cougar/tbird is the smaller 18? gallon tank vs the 21-22 gallon tank. other than that id say the car should be able to handle it with the 5.0 and the Aod. u may wanna step up in gears if your gonna tow alot... but try it out with the factory gears and see if you like it.

towing pakage?

Reply #2 – October 23, 2006, 09:13:19 AM

Factory towing package consisted of larger 10" drum brakes, heavier duty springs, and revised rear end gear (3.08) with Traction-Lok. All the gas tanks remained the same.

With a Class III hitch you'll be fine for towing. You'd definitely need to mount an external trans cooler though. Heat is the #1 killer of any transmission, especially the AOD and its weak OD band. A locking center section is recommended. Gears too...if it were me I wouldn't go less than 3.27's. So long as your stock brakes are in good shape you'll be fine there. Springs...I'd look into cargo coils for help. They're a great investment for these cars anyway, and their advantages will be a boon for towing.

towing pakage?

Reply #3 – October 23, 2006, 09:45:52 AM

I know before I changed the springs in my 88 it was no where near suffering from the sagging arse like some cars apear to be. It could have supported a smaller camper like that easy. Now finding one of the hitches.....

towing pakage?

Reply #4 – October 23, 2006, 10:44:56 AM

Quote from: EricCoolCats;109654

With a Class III hitch you'll be fine for towing.

Where can I find one of these hitches? ;)

towing pakage?

Reply #5 – October 23, 2006, 11:27:30 AM

Not sure where to get one. I know my 84 T/c has a hitch on it and the PO towed a couple of cars for me in it with a car dolly. I think I'm gonna take the hitch off mine. I'm not sure what class it is. Can't be much. It is just a big piece of metal bent into a L shape. I can't remeber the spec stamped into it. I'll look and see at lunch time.

towing pakage?

Reply #6 – October 23, 2006, 12:19:59 PM

Don't forget that if you're planning on towing something larger than 1000 pounds it should have brakes, either electric or surge. This according to the owner's manual, anyway (although I know I've towed much more than that on my utility trailer that doesn't have brakes, including my garden tractor and attachments)

towing pakage?

Reply #7 – October 23, 2006, 01:17:37 PM

I know i have a class III hitch on my Sport. Ive never used and and my brother in law never used it before me when he owned it but the person that owned it before him apparently used to tow a boat with it. Which i believe is what lead to the tranny burning up shortly after my brother in law bought it. I think thats why the put the stupid air shocks in too. I think im going to remove it cause i dont really have a use for it but i know its bolted to both frame rails and the sticker is still on it that says class III.

towing pakage?

Reply #8 – October 23, 2006, 01:41:15 PM

Do you have any pictures?

Depending on the specs, I might buy it from you if you decide to remove it.

towing pakage?

Reply #9 – October 23, 2006, 06:09:58 PM

Ok well now im not sure if it is really a class III. IT is rated for 3500 lbs but it only has the small reciever. I dont really know much about hitches but the sticker says 3500lbs with a tongue weight of 350lbs
Here are some pics:

towing pakage?

Reply #10 – October 23, 2006, 06:12:50 PM

seeing that second pic makes me want to get a sandblaster and get under there and stop that rust.
Heres a few more pics:

towing pakage?

Reply #11 – October 23, 2006, 10:04:50 PM

Thanks for the pictures. It looks like you have a Class II hitch.
I guess I'll just design/fab one myself. Ho-ray!

towing pakage?

Reply #12 – October 23, 2006, 11:34:17 PM

I had one installed on my '84 T-bird in '97. It cost $150 at "The Hitch Man, Inc." They installed the wiring for another $30.

towing pakage?

Reply #13 – October 24, 2006, 01:33:01 PM

I agree. This looks like a class 2.

I have a class 1 "Hidden Hitch" converted to class 3 tube size on my cougar. I had torched of the class 1 u shaped tube and welded a class 3 setup that is to be bolted to the bumper on trucks. Bought this bolt on piece from Tractor Supply.

I did this to be able to use my class 3 bike carrier.

towing pakage?

Reply #14 – October 24, 2006, 01:49:50 PM

I concur...that's got to be a Class II. There was one of those on the T-Bird when I first got it. The decal fell off but that looks identical to what was there.