What can I tow??

I am trying very hard to figure out what I can tow with my marquis.
I want a boat, I already got a class 2 hitch put on (just to be safe)
My question is - is 2000 lbs really the limit or can i go over?
is there anything I can do let me go over safely?
how much can i go over?
Does trailer brakes help?
is 2000 lbs the most my trailer/boat/engine can weight then?
someone told me subtract tongue weight from trailer weight and add it to gross vehicle and passenger weight, so that way my boat can weight more than 2000# - is this true?
Someone else told me here in Houston, where everything is flat, no hills etc - I can tow more - but what if I go to Austin - there are hills there!

I am so confused, and I am mad that I cant find a light weight fish n ski boat!!!

They are all right about 2000 lbs, so tha tmakes me feel like I cant have anything in the boat at all, sich as gas. gear, drinks in coolers, etc....

any help would be appreciated.

Also - does anyone know where to get a roof rack (luggage) that works on a 1999 marquis??? thanks!

How did you come up with the 2000 lb limit?

Its in the owners manual - it just says that.

I bought a boat last week - it weighs right at 2000 lbs. (2030 actually)
The car seems to tow it just fine and gets it in and out of the water fine too.
I think I'm ok, but if you have any thoughts I'd love to hear it.
I am still thinking of getting a cheap old beat up truck just to use to tow the boat - just to make me feel safer. I dont like pushing the limits.

thanks!

My thoughts.
The boat is 2030. Does that include the trailer?
If it does add a tranny cooler. Be sure your brakes are always in top shape. Check the load rating on your tires. Upgrade if necessary.

If it does not inlude the trailer buy the truck and follow the same advice.
If you were in an accident would your insurance cover you while towing over the rating.

A lot of mid sized trucks and SUVs have a higher towing rating(3500lbs).
I would still go with a full size truck for better handling and braking.

I tow a 6000lb trailer and from what I've seen on the road the biggest issue is stopping. Trailer brakes are required for loads over certain limits. Check with your local DMV or motor club.

Good luck and enjoy.

Thanks, that does include the trailers - so altogether it is barley over the limit - so I will do as you suggest and keep my brakes up and add a tranny cooler and double check my cars tire capacity and upgrade if needed.
Thanks!

if you have a non-hpp car, you may want to add stiffer springs in the rear too. definitely do the tranny cooler. and keep the tranny and brakes in tip top shape, you will be fine.

if you have a non-hpp car, you may want to add stiffer springs in the rear too. definitely do the tranny cooler. and keep the tranny and brakes in tip top shape, you will be fine.

I thought only Crown Vics were P-71s.
You bring up a good point on the rear air springs of the Grand Marquis. If the mileage is up around 100,000, You may wish to consider replacing the bags.
Grand Marquis - 1992-2002 (4.6 Liter V8) Air spring assembly (http://www.arnottindustries.com/parts_Mercury_Grand_Marquis_yid20.html)

Whatever you tow keep it out of overdrive.
No towing in overdrive or you will be soory.
MT-2500

Oh?! what would i be sorry for by using overdirve,
(what bad will happen?) I have used it twice, but will stop.
I was told by others (not marquis or even car experts) to use it.

Also - what is hpp ? I have air shocks in back. There are only 40k miles on the car, it was given to us by family after a grandparent passed away, who never drove it much, It's a 1999, paid off when given to us.

I have actually considered replacing the air bags with regular shocks, i had heard you can have alot of trouble with the bags over the years drying and cracking and I heard the replacement is cheaper than getting new air bags!!..true?

Also - I dont have a trusted mechanic or family member who works on cars - I fear if I take my car in to a brake store they'll always say you need new brakes! I have changed brakes myself (dad guides me).
How can I check to be sure they are in tip top shape myself?
Should i just replace them more often, is that all you mean?
Not letting them get to the squeeling stage? :)


and thanks for all the tips guys! Keep em coming :)

Towing a load in overdrive will overheat a trans.
If you are pulling a very heavy load keep it in drive and your trans will last a lot longer.
MT-2500

PS - does anyone know how much I might expect to pay for a transmission cooler installation at your average corner shop? I'm in Houston, TX if it matters. thanks.

My main tow vehicle is a 98 F-150. The overdrive subject has been thoroughly discussed on one of the truck forums I belong to. One of the members had a scanner that would give real time info while driving (transmission fluid temp) and found that his temperatures actually dropped while towing in overdrive. Again these were his personal results.

That said I personnally use overdrive while towing in flat areas on the highway. I use the normal drive position in more mountanious towing. The engine braking on the downhill side I feel is advantageous when towing a heavy load.

I think hpp refers to a former police vehicle. They have a heavier duty steel spring suspension.

With only 40,000 miles you should not need to worry about the rear air springs. They are good for easily 100,000 miles. I would not convert to a steel spring on this new and low mileage of a vehicle. The self leveling feature of the rear air suspension is a definite plus for towing. It will help keep the car level while towing. This inturn helps with braking and steering.

I did a spring conversion on my sons 85 continental but only because the air compessor had died. He did not replace the air bags when they began to leak and he burnt the compressor up overworking it. The compessors are expensive. The 85 still had original air bags. He misses the ultra smooth ride.

The air suspension system is generally very dependable. Simply replace the bags at the first sign of a leakage. The link I put in my last post is one of the better aftermarket replacement suppliers. They also sell conversion kits but I do not recommend them unless you have a much older vehicle with problems other than a leaky set of air bags.

As far as your brakes go inspect them every time you rotate the tires or change the oil. I like to do all (oil change, tire rotation, and brake inspection) at the same time. Next time you change pads be sure to go with a better quality pad. Ask dad or your local parts store for their opinion.

Not sure on the tranny cooler. Try calling a couple of transmission shops (aamco, cottman, or whatever is close by) for prices.

Happy motoring. :smile: