mercury marquis

[FSHKPR]

Just wondering what everybody thinks of pulling a 24 travel trailer with a mercury marquis. the weight of the trailer is 4100 pounds unloaded. the specs say the marquis with a trailering package will tow 5000 pounds. I just cant help thinking that is not enough weight and size to be pulling a big travel trailer like that. has anybody else ever pulled a travel trailer with a similar size vehicle as a marquis. My dad wants to do this and i keep telling him to look into bigger vehicles. like maybe a nice conversion van or something. he has not purchased the marquis yet. what are your thoughts? thank you

 

[NathanY]

Re: mercury marquis

I dont doubt that it would pull it, but stopping is another story.

 

[Homerr]

Re: mercury marquis

I wouldn't do it.<br /><br />You're almost at max right off the git-go.<br />A 1/2 ton (or better yet a 3/4 ton) van would be good. <br />If he insists on a car, then maybe he should look into (dare I say) an SUV ?<br /><br />Maybe an old Chrysler New Yorker with a Hemi 426?<br /><br />LOL!<br /><br />There is no excuse for not being safe. Beat him over the head if you have to! <br />Cars aren't meant to pull trailers like that (imo)<br /><br />H.

 

[marty_scher]

Re: mercury marquis

When I first read Mercury Marquis, I was thinking aah,1974 - maybe, but when you said new, "no way", came to mind.<br /><br />By the time you load up the trailer (including water, holding tank, etc.) you'll hit the 5000# easily, which seem pretty generous to begin with, for this car.<br /><br />Nothing stinks worse than "dragging" a trailer around. <br /><br />Get something that will safely and easily pull the trailer.<br /><br />I would suggest a Ford F series diesel, if they don't mind a bit of climbing (and some $$$). They are powerful and comfortable.<br /><br />Good luck

 

[NOSLEEP]

Re: mercury marquis

You didn't mention what year the car was. But I<br />don't remember a grand marquis been made to date<br />that would tow more than 3500 lbs max. And that <br />was with the old 460 ci .Today max tow capacity<br />is around 2200lbs.

 

[neumanns]

Re: mercury marquis

When you say Pulling, are we talking 150 miles 3 to 4 times a year or are we talking around the country? I would say the answer proabably lies with that question. For starters the fresh water tank holds 80 to 100 gallon X 8 lbs per gallon= well you say he could travel empty. ok the box of dishes weighs and if we add moms photos and well you can proabably see where this is going.<br /><br />I sold RV's awhile back and having helped transfer the contents of many I can tell you those boxes add up in a hurry!<br /><br />If you are talking the ocasional short trip in flat country if you have swaybars you will proabably be Ok if he still has good Reflexes and Judjment. If not it can spell trouble and become a real handfull in short order with the most simple of evasive moves. You do not want to lose him and mom this way. I have seen it all to often.<br /><br />If we are talking snowbird here I can tell you that at 24' they wont make the winter before they are ready to upsize the trailer and will then also be in the market for a new tow vehicle and will find themselves in a undesirable position for trading on both accounts. What are his intended usages? Why does he want to go this route (Motives)? Perhaps I can give you some insight from my past than can help you with some fodder for a decision that will result in many happy days RVing.

 

[NOSLEEP]

Re: mercury marquis

He probably would like to tow with it because it<br />has one of the best rides for a car on the planet.<br />Its just the wrong vehicle.After he tows with it<br />a couple of times I bet he will change his mind.<br />But then It will cost money to change vehicles<br />again.

 

[FSHKPR]

Re: mercury marquis

yes he is talking about taking it south for 2 to 3 months during the winter, probably 2 or 3 destinations in 2 or 3 months. the is a 1996 with 20,000 miles on it. belongs to my aunt. and she wants to down size. thanks for all your replies, i will pass them on and he can make a better informed decision. thanks again

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: mercury marquis

Just want to add my .02 worth here.<br /><br />I have camped all my life, from tents to motorhome and I can not stress enough to not think that a car can do a truck job.<br /><br />A car just is not heavy made enough for this.<br /><br />Yea it will pull it, but be ready to do brake jobs on it cause they will go fast trying to stop the trailer.<br /><br />Try to get him to upsize to a nice ext. cab truck at-least if not a 4 door truck.<br /><br />Don't know how many he will be taking with him.<br /><br />Heavy duty 1/2 ton would work, but the good set-up is 3/4 ton with tow package.<br /><br />Anti-sway bars and torsion arms are a must also.<br />That will keep it straight and level going down the road.<br /><br />He will thank you for them when a big truck goes by him running about 75 or so.<br /><br />I know, I have been on both ends of that spectrum.

 

[JB]

Re: mercury marquis

Just to make it unanimous, Fshkpr, ditto all of the above.<br /><br />Dad needs a towing machine. A Marquis is not one.

 

[KennyKenCan]

Re: mercury marquis

My sister uses a Ford LTD, 2002 model year, and she pulls a 28' travel trailer all over the country without any problems, and the car has a towing capacity of 5000 lbs.<br /><br />The Mercury Marquis is the same car, so you really should not have any problems.<br /><br />One note here, the trailer must be equiped with brakes!<br /><br />Do not even consider towing a travel trailer without brakes.<br /><br />She has towed a her trailer throughout the Rocky Mountains and across the Continental Divide and never had a problem with this type of vehicle.<br /><br />A truck would be a better choice in my opinion, but a full-sized Merc will tow it without problems, no brake problems, no overheating problems, or anything that can be directly related to towing.

 

[NOSLEEP]

Re: mercury marquis

Kenny.. according to Ford Motor Company the<br />maximum Gross Trailer Weight for a 2002 LTD/<br />Grand Marquis is 2000lb or 970 kg.

 

[Carphunter]

Re: mercury marquis

I have pulled a Jayco Pop-up with my wifes Taurus. Yes, it will pull it, but not well, and I am way below the max weight. When we pull the same pop-up with the Blazer, you can't even tell its back there. Most springs and shocks in cars are not set-up for pulling heavy loads. I would go with a truck which is made for towing, they will regret it if they don't. I would rather have too much vehicle than not enough.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: mercury marquis

This is info on 2003 Grand Marquis<br /><br />Trailer Towing<br />Towing Class Class I<br />Max. Gross Trailer Weight* (lbs.) 1500<br />Max. Tongue Weight (lbs.) 150<br />Hitch Design Load-carrying type/weight-equalizing type<br />* The combined weight of the towing vehicle (including passengers and cargo) and trailer should not exceed 6600 lbs.

 

[NathanY]

Re: mercury marquis

1996 Mercury Grand Marquis Specifications<br /><br />Exterior <br />Length: 211.8 in. Width: 77.8 in. <br />Height: 56.8 in. Wheel Base: 114.4 in. <br />Curb Weight: 3796 lbs. <br />Interior <br />Front Head Room: 39.4 in. Front Hip Room: 58 in. <br />Front Shoulder Room: 60.1 in. Rear Head Room: 38.1 in. <br />Rear Shoulder Room: 60.3 in. Rear Hip Room: 59 in. <br />Front Leg Room: 42.5 in. Rear Leg Room: 38.4 in. <br />Luggage Capacity: 20.6 cu. ft. Maximum Seating: 6 <br /> <br /> Performance Data <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Performance <br />Base Number of Cylinders: 8 Base Engine Size: 4.6 liters <br />Base Engine Type: V8 Horsepower: 190 hp <br />Max Horsepower: 4250 rpm Torque: 265 ft-lbs. <br />Max Torque: 3250 rpm Maximum Towing Capacity: 5000 lbs. <br />Drive Type: RWD Turning Circle: 40.3 ft. <br /><br /> Fuel Data <br /> <br /> <br />Fuel <br />Fuel Tank Capacity: 20 gal. <br />EPA Mileage Estimates: (City/Highway) <br />Automatic: : 17 mpg / 25 mpg <br />Range in Miles: (City/Highway) <br />Automatic: 340 mi. / 500 mi.

 

[NathanY]

Re: mercury marquis

Here is some more:<br /><br />1996 Mercury Grand Marquis 4.6 V8 5,000 <br /><br />1997 Mercury Grand Marquis 4.6 V8 2,000 <br /><br />1999 Mercury Grand Marquis 4.6 V8 2,000 <br /><br />2003 Mercury Grand Marquis 4.6 V8 1,500 <br /><br />Looks like they gradually go down every year, at this rate, by 2006 the towing cap will be 0.

 

[FSHKPR]

Re: mercury marquis

Hey guys<br />I cant thank you all enough for your input. especially since most of it backs up what i was thinking all along. I just hope dad takes all this into consideration and goes with a heavier vehicle. he's usually pretty level headed so i think he will. thanks again for all the input

 

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

Re: mercury marquis

lets get real here<br /><br />of COURSE you can tow a 4100 pound trailer with a full size car like the Marquis<br /><br />rule of thumb ... never tow more than you wiegh<br /><br />of course, common sense is dictated, trailer brakes, equalizing hitch would be good, but fellas, come on, this a powerful car, ever drive one?<br /><br />a three quarter ton truck for towing a 2 ton trailer? why not just get a Mack Truck, and a fifth wheel hitch trailer??<br /><br />caveat ... if he is going to retire to the open road, dragging the trailer from place to place, then NO, clearly a truck is called for, its built for the long haul under load<br /><br />annual trip to someplace? load the car down!<br /><br />Note: keep the gear selector in "3" in hilly sections, it will keep the trans out of Overdrive, unless there is an overdrive lockout button, usually on the end of the gear selector

 

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

Re: mercury marquis

wait, re read that post, hes going to BUY a vehicle ...<br /><br />that makes a huge difference<br /><br />lets see<br /><br />he can afford a 30 K mercury marquis, money isnt a prob apparently<br /><br />lots of options here<br /><br />Conversion van, Ford 150 (250 is a beast, but there is a ride quality penalty, the 150 is up to the task chassis wise tho) with a towing package and the upsize engine, 5.4 liter, the 4.6 isnt quite up to the guff of effortless towing<br /><br />four wheel discs if avail is nice, but not neccessary<br /><br />equalizing hitch, good brakes on the trailer, and Happy Motoring Dad, yer good to go!

 

[FSHKPR]

Re: mercury marquis

actually castaway. money does fit in to the scheme of things here. the mercury marquis he is buying is used. 1996 with 20000 miles on it. belongs to my aunt who is buying something alittle smaller. i guess thats why he is sold on the marquis. he is getting it for 7k. he has scrapped the idea of pulling a trailer with it tho.guess they found some time share condo for a month down in florida. that makes mom happier too as she hates to be away from her kids for as long as they would have gone with the trailer. thanks again for all the responses