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Home » HD Forums » Forums » Tow Vehicles » Car as a tow rig?
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Tim WiltseMale Offline
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Post Icon Posted: Oct. 27 2007,4:56 pm Post # 1 see this member send this member a private message  quote this post in reply
Ok guys so a simple question, I hope. I am very close to getting my first jet boat. I know these boats are fairly light. My problem is I don't have a truck. Am I on crack to think I can use my car as a tow rig? My car is a 95' Chevy Caprice 9C1. This car is a tank, 350ci LT1 engine(plenty of power), full frame of course and weighs almost 5,000pounds. Strong transmission etc. The only thing it lacks in my eyes is 4 wheel drive. Is 4 wheel drive required of a tow rig? I would sell it if needed to get a truck but really love the car.
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Havasu DougMale Offline
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Post Icon Posted: Oct. 27 2007,5:14 pm Post # 2 see this member send this member a private message  quote this post in reply
Quote (Tim Wiltse @ Oct. 27 2007,4:56 pm)
Ok guys so a simple question, I hope. I am very close to getting my first jet boat. I know these boats are fairly light. My problem is I don't have a truck. Am I on crack to think I can use my car as a tow rig? My car is a 95' Chevy Caprice 9C1. This car is a tank, 350ci LT1 engine(plenty of power), full frame of course and weighs almost 5,000pounds. Strong transmission etc. The only thing it lacks in my eyes is 4 wheel drive. Is 4 wheel drive required of a tow rig? I would sell it if needed to get a truck but really love the car.

I don't think you're on crack. :laugh

I don't think that car would have a hard time pulling a jet boat up to 20' as long as you get a good hitch. I remember the days when lots of people pulled travel trailers with cars. :) Besides, I pulled my jet boat for years with a 4 cylinder Toyota truck. :eek

You don't HAVE to have 4 wheel drive either, although it has come in handy for me in the past on occasion.  I've pulled my boat with 3 different 4x's, but I've towed it for the last 5 years with 2 wheel drive only. :)





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Post Icon Posted: Oct. 27 2007,5:57 pm Post # 3 see this member send this member a private message  quote this post in reply
The only thing I would say you need to do, is add an aftermarket transmission cooler.

I have only towed with 2wd trucks. The only problems that I've had, has been launching/retrieving in place that were in question to begin with....and site 6 at Havazoo.....

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Tim WiltseMale Offline
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Post Icon Posted: Oct. 27 2007,6:14 pm Post # 4 see this member send this member a private message  quote this post in reply
That is the thing with the "9C1" package on the Caprice. It's the police version. It has heavy duty engine cooling, transmission cooler, oil cooler heck the thing even has a power steering cooler on it stock from the factory!!!
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Havasu DougMale Offline
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Post Icon Posted: Oct. 27 2007,6:29 pm Post # 5 see this member send this member a private message  quote this post in reply
Quote (Tim Wiltse @ Oct. 27 2007,6:14 pm)
That is the thing with the "9C1" package on the Caprice. It's the police version. It has heavy duty engine cooling, transmission cooler, oil cooler heck the thing even has a power steering cooler on it stock from the factory!!!

In that case, just disregard my 20' limitation. :D





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Tim WiltseMale Offline
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Post Icon Posted: Oct. 27 2007,7:04 pm Post # 6 see this member send this member a private message  quote this post in reply
That is great news!!!
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GoFastRacerMale Offline
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Post Icon Posted: Oct. 28 2007,5:43 am Post # 7 see this member send this member a private message  quote this post in reply
It used to be very common to tow with cars, in fact some had tow packages offered from the factory!.. :good
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Tim WiltseMale Offline
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Post Icon Posted: Oct. 28 2007,10:31 am Post # 8 see this member send this member a private message  quote this post in reply
I guess my biggest issue was being able to get the boat down the ramp into the water without having the car in water up to the front door!!!
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GoFastRacerMale Offline
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Post Icon Posted: Oct. 28 2007,10:45 am Post # 9 see this member send this member a private message  quote this post in reply
Well, that could be an issue depending on the ramp!.. :D
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ZiggyMale Offline
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Post Icon Posted: Oct. 28 2007,4:44 pm Post # 10 see this member send this member a private message  quote this post in reply
Quote (Tim Wiltse @ Oct. 28 2007,10:31 am)
I guess my biggest issue was being able to get the boat down the ramp into the water without having the car in water up to the front door!!!

After you've done it a couple times your worry will go away...just be aware of slippery green stuff on the ramps, that would be your only real issue if you have one at all..

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Post Icon Posted: Nov. 11 2007,4:46 pm Post # 11 see this member send this member a private message  quote this post in reply
When I was a kid, my friends mom used to tow her small travel trailer or a 2 horse trailer with her LTD.  I'd think a Caprice would do it.
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Post Icon Posted: Nov. 14 2007,2:47 pm Post # 12 see this member send this member a private message  quote this post in reply
When I was in school we used to tow our ski boat with my mom's Oldsmobile.  I've also seen a couple launch a 23' eliminator deep vee at Windsor Beach.  They did better than most people with a truck.

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Post Icon Posted: Nov. 14 2007,2:56 pm Post # 13 see this member send this member a private message  quote this post in reply
Quote (tonedog @ Nov. 14 2007,2:47 pm)
I've also seen a couple launch a 23' eliminator deep vee at Windsor Beach.

And I thought nobody was looking.

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