On a front wheel drive olds cutlas cruiser wagon ts a 91 and I never really had front wheel drive cars or a trailer. Itll be mostly used for haulling whatever I need from home to work but If I take the trip up too see my family in PA it would make it nice to tow it since I got a 2 year old who doesnt like to travel yet. The most I would haul would be 1 bike is there any type of specail hitch if I can tow with it and how much over all could i tow.
thanks

 

What you need to look at it your tow rating. On that vehicle, it's probably about 2000-2300lbs. That means that you can't load anymore than 2300 lbs in/on/behind the vehicle, including trailer, bike, baggage, tools or YOU/passengers. If you buy a small, light trailer (400-600 lbs=Harborfreight) and add the bike, it'll work.

Keep in mind, HOW LONG the engine and trans will last on a 18 year old car depends on how well it was taken care of, serviced and I highly recommend a trans cooler, to keep from overheating the trans. I also recommend having the cooling system gone over as well.

It's not going to tow like a truck would, and you'll be slowed on hills. Top speeds will be 60-65 and that's if the engine is healthy and well tuned, as anything else will only add to the strain.

Placement of the bike on the trailer is critical as tongue weight is going to be an issue with a front wheel drive vehicle.

If it's around town or 50-75 miles away, you should be fine. Any farther and you might want to consider buying a "real" tow vehicle.

It *can* be done. It depends on a few variables though.

 

The safest thing to do is what Lumpy said,get towing info for that vehicle.Then find a good hitch installer or buy the proper hitch(if they make them)for your gutless Cutlas and install it yourself.

 

Thanks thats very helpful, I was trying to get hold of a g-body wagon but then this one came around and is at an unbeatable price and Ive always like the ride in them plus their about the best gas mileage out of any american station wagon of the size. I might be better off putting hitch on wife suzuki grand vitbut i dont feel very safe in the vehicle with my 2year old in it. thanks for the resonses

 

Grand Vitara has a higher tow rating (2005 has a 3230 gross trailer weight rating) and will have more power than the Cutlass, IMHO. The short wheelbase and elevated center of gravity isn't ideal for towing, but you're not yanking an 8000 lbs trailer behind you either.

Just based on reliability alone, the Suzuki would be a better candidate to tow the bike, IMHO. {{wink}}

 

Also, Do NOT unload the front end weight too much. Front wheel drive is NOT the best for towing.

 

Dude anythings possible..