New Roadmaster! And already I have questions...

[Buponol]

Hey guys, new Roadmaster owner here - It's a blue-on-blue '95 sedan with a blue Landau top (bleh!) and just over 71k miles on it (woohoo!) not to mention I'm only the second owner, and the original owner's first name was 'Gaylord', just to give you an idea of his age 😏 That's not a joke, by the way - I'm not that clever

Anywho, very happy with the purchase (and I hope I'll continue to be ) but I already have some questions about how to proceed with this beautiful beast. You see, I want to tow crap with this thing, or at least have the option to. In particular, I'm hoping to be able to tow my girlfriend's 2006 Honda Accord when we move to North Carolina in a few months. It's going to be a LONG move, over 9 hours, so I want to make sure everything is squared away before we attempt it. However, while my new car is nice, it unfortunately lacks that critical tow package, so... yeah, what does a non-towing package car need to be able to tow at least a ~3,200 lb car, and maybe a camper or something at some point in the future? The car already needs new tires all-around, by the way, since the current ones are 10 years old (I also have the regular 15" steel wheels, just FYI) so if towing is dependent on what kind of tires I have on it in any way (or even if it just helps in some way), I'd like to factor that in to my buying decision.

So... yeah, what do I need, and even more importantly, how much is all this going to cost me? I'm not really the mechanical sort, outside of doing some little, super-simple stuff, so assume I'll be getting a mechanic to do anything halfway-difficult, hehe.

Anyways, thanks in advance for the help, guys - Looking forward to being a member of the community!

 

[robert graham]

Add some air shocks on back and check your radiator/cooling system....a transmission cooler would be a great addition

 

[Buponol]

Add some air shocks on back and check your radiator/cooling system....a transmission cooler would be a great addition

Hey man, thanks for the response! I'm actually lucky on the cooling front, since my vehicle seems to have a transmission cooler, though *why* it does is a mystery to me, since it doesn't have any of the other accouterments of the towing package. At least I don't think it does... anyways, definitely glad to have the tranny cooler, though, obviously!

As for the air shocks... Do I have to go with air shocks? Will stiffer shocks do? I try to avoid air shocks like the plague. I was thinking of upgrading to something resembling the stiffer FE2 Gran Touring suspension package GM offered as an option, and I was hoping that might also help for towing. Also, I'll be honest, I was thinking of being a little more thorough in replicating the factory towing package: I'm thinking of upping the gear ratio to 2.93, and adding posi-traction, not to mention a rear sway bar, if it's not too expensive. I'm just curious how much all this crap is going to cost, ballpark - Hoping someone can help me out there, hehe 🙂

 

[94cruiser]

Read on the OEM brochures
I believe the tow package consisted of different springs / shocks in the rear, mechanical fan, specific gear ratio rear end, trans cooler.

Who knows if your car is stock or not...
For sure replace the aged tires, and have the car checked out by a trusty mechanic that knows these cars.
A trans fluid temp gauge might be a good thing to have. Also I think depending on load you may want to keep it in 3rd gear preventing the stall converter from locking...

Bottom line, have the car inspected. A mint stock non tow pack car would tow better now than a run down tow pack car.
These cars are are vintage now.

I've had 5 GM B-Body cars back in the day, sometimes two at a time...

 

[-Regal-]

Look for Hawk SuperDuty (SD) brake pads. As far as specifics with the towing itself, I don't know. I like a half landau roof but only if the car has been garaged. If a car had even a full one in fine shape I definitely wouldn't be thinking of removing it. If you absolutely must and again it's fine, make sure you do so carefully so it can go to some other Roadmastser owner that needs a replacement. Might even make a few bucks.

 

[HotZ28]

Could you post a pic of the SPID sticker on the base of the trunk lid? There were several options for the trans cooler and some were considered heavy duty with duel lines to the radiator. (KNP COOLING SYSTEM,TRANSMISSION, HEAVY DUTY HVY DUTY TRANS CLG SYS)
Others were basic single flow through the radiator. IIRC, the towing package had an external cooler mounted in front of the radiator & A/C condenser. Most important thing to do is change the trans fluid & filter! All the options you have mentioned could cost 3-4k even if you could find the parts. Impala SS parts will work for the rear end, but they are also getting hard to find. Power Stop brake kits are also a good addition to the front, but don't neglect the rear! Good luck finding a class-4 tow hitch, unless the car already has one!

 

[2007LucerneCXL]

On the Landau, if considering removing there is the glue, mounting points will have to be considered, any possible rust but if cared for may not be a issue. Other than trim parts the material is not a salvage parts anyone who has removed it can confirm, paint may be also be required depending on condition under the roof and if any holes need filling. Removed a Landau off a 79 Eldorado, didn't like it and getting a paint job so I'll assume your 95 would be similar.

On towing decide on what is going to be towed and work backwards to what is required. Single or dual axle, trailer and tongue weight, transmission and oil cooling, backup cameras, airbags vs airshocks, how often and how long etc. There are various options to consider and getting a punch list on what your requirements are is probably the first step to looking at equipment needed.