I just recently got a 1980 Starcraft 18' boat. I have a 2002 Monte Carlo LS which is rated for 1000 pounds....and the boat weighs approximatly 1200 pounds....now I was wondering if anyone has any idea of what mods I could do to my car inorder to safely pull the boat......Your answers would be great......Dan Sider

 

If I were you, I would not tow something that heavy with your Monte... The trans is the weakest link in the drive train of our Monte's and will certainly fail in short order..

 

1. The Monte is only rated for that, but can do much more if you are careful and add a tranny cooler. You might want to get a new hitch if yours is only rated for 1000 lbs. I got mine from Draw Tite and got a Class II Hidden Hitch for about $120. It is rated for 2000 lbs, you really can't see it unless your head is a foot off the ground, and installing it was done in 20 min... It actually took less time to install the hitch than it did the first time I changed the air cleaner.

2. Your Monte should have no problems towing the boat at city speeds if you don't gun it. Just take it slow and don't use overdrive.

3. I would get the boat weighed as well to know what it really is: boat, trailer, engine, any equipment installed or placed in like a livewell. You can get this done at a junk yard or a place that sells scrap metal.

4. The bigger problem would be on the launch. You might spin tires.

If you get that Hidden Hitch, be prepared for a wait. I ordered mine in the beginning of June and didn't get it until August.

 

Perfect that is what I was planning.....a transmission cooler and I was thinking about putting air shocks to support a little more weight in the rear.....or level the car off atleast.....I was looking at a stealth hitch from UHaul.....a local company they have one rated for 3500 lbs....custom fit for my car.....well anyway thanks for answering I appreciate it

 

Just have to put in my 2 cents. I did'nt abuse my monte. It has 71,000 miles on it and my mechanic say's that from the noise it's making it is most likely a mechanical failure inside and does'nt believe it had anything to do with the slightly dirty tranny fluid and there was'nt an excessive amount of sludge or metal shavings on the magnet either. Could be a fluke failure but I would'nt tow a little red wagon with one of these cars as in my opinion it will only lead to trouble....and no i have never towed anything with this one.

 

I couldn't agree with you more man, I just wouldn't risk it. Think of it this way. You could spend a few hundred on a tranny cooler, and a few hundred on a hitch, and a few more on air shocks or stiffer suspension THEN risk the chance of dropping a tranny and spending a couple Thou to get it replaced.... OR you could go out and buy some old 1980 Blazer for 500 bucks and tow it with that. That's what I would do.

 

Ya montes aren't meant to really tow anything. Your risking it especially by towing that boat. I would try to find an old pickup truck to tow with.

 

I couldn't agree more with the last couple posts. I was raised on a farm and a car just isn't made to tow. That's what SUVs and trucks are for but hey it's your dime, do what you want.