towing capacity

[edsmith]

does anyone know the towing capacity for a 1971 buick centurian as we will be buying a trailer and would what would be proper weight.
.thank you very much

[centurion 455 ragtop]

A safe weight? A while back I maxed out when I towed a 73 convertible parts car to the scrap yard, what was left of me stripping it for parts. I towed it on my open 19 foot trailer. The total weight of my 73, the trailer and parts car on the scales was 10,140 pounds.

The weight on my 73 Centurion weighs 5,025 pounds without me. Now normally I tow a 1970 GS on the same open trailer. The GS weighs about 2,880 pounds, the open trailer is 1,350 and I would say I have an additional 300 pounds of tools, fuel equipt. Total estimate weight pulling, 4,530 pounds. Highly request when towing you have the equalizer pitch control bars, and the sway bar (see photo). As for drive ability? I can keep up with any Dura Max truck on the road even at times being able to over take most of them on the steep upgrades, the long wheel base of the Centurion also gives you stability. MPG, well... I get 9-10 mpg when pulling and have to run the good gas. A few times I towed with the ac on, she never over heated but the gas mileage was horrendous, don't what it was but I actually was watching the gas gauge needle moving. The rear gear ratio on my Centurion is 2.73 open rear, and the engine is bone stock with addition of converted Stage 1 heads and a mild mid range cam. Cooling I use a Black Magic electric fan and a four row rad, and a heavy duty GMC truck clutch fan with a fixed blade fan, (DO NOT, NEVER EVER USE A FLEX FAN. THEY DO FLY APART, I HAD THIS HAPPEN ON TWO OCCASIONS) the temps in 90 degree weather and towing stay put at 205-210. Not pulling in heat and traffic it stays put at 195-200.

I have been towing with my Centurion since 1998 never having any problems pulling. Prior to that I was towing with a 73 Riviera GS. Now if you are thinking of pulling a box trailer I would say no way. Just too big in size and height a truck would be the best route. As for a mid side tag along camper, I would say depends on the size and height.

What type of trailer are you planning on getting?

[centurion 455 ragtop]

A few other shots

[edsmith]

hi. thank you very much.i'm still looking for the perfect trailer .but i plan on staying around 3,000 to 3,500 max weight.i plan on showing pictures of our car shortly and hope to talk to lots of buick owners soon. thank you very much.

[Centurion717273]

Factory towing information

[centurion 455 ragtop]

Cool info. I guess I am within the towing capacity being just under 5,000 pounds. As for the rear ratio, to compensate the economy gear ratio I have (73 models did come with a 2.73 ratio) the mid range towing cam I installed helps greatly. I do have a posi unit with a set of 2.93 gears, just haven't installed them yet. Actually it may help with the mpg with the 2.93's. Also forgot to mention to get heavy duty load tires. I also have air shocks, which I have previously discussed. I hate them, when I am not towing. even at 15 pounds you still get a bit of a stiff ride. But when pulling I bump it up to 95 pounds and it levels off the car and trailer, yet the ride isn't as stiff. Also the make sure you get an adjustable hitch (see my photo) it makes it easier adjusting the tongue weight and ride height.