Anyone installed a trailer hitch?

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03 Merc

Senior Member
If anyone has put a hitch on their MM I would appreciate the Maker and PN if you have it. I have yet to find anyone locally with a 03 listing and with the new frame rails do not want to "assume" a 02 will fit... Any know "gotcha's" in the installation would be appreciated as well...

Thanks,
 
I used the hitch I took off my 98 GM. I think it's class lll.It's the large one.The hitch has not changed since 1992. I originally got it from U-Haul & it's made by Draw-Tight. I had one U-Haul place say the 98 hitch would not fit. I took it to a larger U-Haul store & they put it on in about 20 minutes. You're going to find that most parts are not listed for a MM, you have to use GM. This is my fifth GM/MM since the new style. I always orderd the performance package, which has the automatic leveling. The GM/MM makes an outstanding tow car. I have a 1,700 pound car carrier that I tow my antique cars on. Most of the time you forget you're towing it is so smooth.Good luck
 
I haven't done it yet, but I have checked it out with local installer. I am planning on putting on a Draw-tite class II. It uses the 1" receiver rather than the 2" I currently use on a Jeep Grand Cherokee. This unit is very low profile with only the 1" receiver showing; the frame is tucked up behind the bumper. Installer said it would be sufficient to tow my Harley on a 6'x10' utility trailer. Cost--about $160 w/ light hook-up.

This ought to be one Bad-Ass Harley Hauler------Can't wait till Daytona Bike Week!
 
Logan,

I just needed a place to hang a trash can for all grills blown off the local Impalas..:D (Now if that comment doesn't get a rise out of "Race Me" Bishop95SS nothing will!! :p ) Kidding aside, I pulled a small Travel Trailer ( http://www.trail-lite.com/bantamfloorfr.asp ) with my 97 GM with no problems at all.. I wouldn't try it in the Rockies but it was fine in the Smokies.. I used the electric brakes and did add sway control but that was it..

Mikeenh and White Knuckles,

Thanks for the info. I thought the 02 and earlier style would probably fit.. Ever since the GM and CV were downgraded by Ford from 5000 lbs to 1500 lbs. no one lists a Class 2 or 3 any more.. My biggest concern was that the new hydroformed frame rails moved the mounting points around and would screw up the fit of the older hitches.... Mike, I hope you have trailer brakes!!:eek:

Thanks,
 
Wayne,
I do have four wheel brakes on the trailer. Going through NJ once with the trailer and a 27 Ford Model T on it, a large mat was doing a magic carpet flight in the road. With all lanes full, I heard it clunk under the car, then my trailer brake light went off. It sheared the brake wires off the trailer. This was a 100 plus temp day, too hot to lay on the ground & fix. I drove to Deleware with no trailer brakes. It was no problem. :D
 
I've got a trailer hitch (I think cat. 2) on my '93 Grand Marquis that has faithfully towed a 3200 lb boat and trailer for many a mile. The car now has 180,000 miles and I am seriously considering an LSE or a Maruader (once some colors are available) to replace it. This despite the fact that these cars are now rated to only tow 1500 lbs. (my '02 Sable is rated for 1750 lbs---go figure). I parked the '93 next to an '03 LS and compared the frame rails at the back and how the hitch mounted. I couldn't see any difference in the rails where the hitch would mount.

If anyone knows why the tow ratings have so drastically been cut, please respond. My car was rated to tow up to 5000 lbs (had optional trailer tow package) and the '02's were rated at 2000 lbs.
 
427435 If you are thinking about an LSE you should act fast, because they aren't going to be making them anymore. The Marauder is probably better value anyway I think.

i have no idea why they changed the traler tow rating for '03. Doesn't rerally make sense. Could be just because they want to sell you a truck as well
 
The tow rating changed drastically with the 97 model...a 96 was rated at 5000 lbs and the identical 97 at 1500 lbs.. When I bought my 97 GM I went through the dealer's Service and Parts Department and we could not find any changes that would have impacted towing capacity... Except that in 97 Mercury now had a Mountaineer in it's line up...;)
 
I agree with your closing thought Wayne, marketing the line of LM vehicles has a lot to do with design and options.

The '97 Mountaineer was released in 'June 0f '96, and I bought one. Though I wanted an Explorer for years, I wanted a V8. Back then, that was LM's attempt to share in the SUV rush, because everyone was dumping their LMs for Ford's SUVs. One of it's many selling points was 5.0, AWD and towing up to 5000lbs. I could get my V8, and keep my boat too.

Today, the GM is bowing out gracefully, and taking the Villager with it. Adding the Avaitor kinda makes me think the Mountaineer will soon walk that way. As for the MM, well, I'm not sure what was on LMs mind here, however, we may see the answer in Chevy's history. The Impala SS was the General's way of droping the Impala/Caprice line with grace. Could be that LM has similar plans? A few years of a special edition, maybe even just one, and walk away?
 
My guess for the 5000 pound limit to the 1500 pound limit is two words: "PRODUCT LIABILITY" :mad:
 
The one mechanical thing that changed in 1997 (or 1998) was the rear suspension. Also, the tow rating was 2000 lbs with standard equipment from 1992 through 2002. The 5000 lb rating came only when you had the trailer tow option that was available to 1996. My personel opinion is that there were also transmission changes (cost reduction) or it was just a desire to push people into SUV's.

Yes, I know the LSE is dead but the Crown Vic LS Sport isn't. Now if someone can explain how the same parts on the same assembly line can't be put in both vehicles, I'm all ears. This is a car model that is dieing and the product planners don't can't figure out what to do. I wonder if some options that make use of the parts already on the assembly line might sell some more cars. In particular, the heavy duty police car parts should allow a comfortable riding car, that gets 22 or mpg, the capablity to pull more than a 1500 lb trailer. And of course the LSE option should be brought back. In fact, I would prefer the LSE with the Marauder engine over the Marauder itself. The Darth Vader look and the shinny chrome pimpmobile wheels just don't do it for me (boy, an I gonna get flammed now!!!). If I were to buy a Marauder, the chrome wheels would get replaced with the wheels off the "bullit" Mustang or something similar.

If they don't get some decent colors out soon on the Marauder (or they don't figure out how to tow 3500 lbs on the Grand Marquis), I'm buying a Honda Pilot or Toyota Tundra or 4Runner!! I've never owned a Japanese vehicle but they fit my needs better than anything Ford offers.

Frustrated Buyer with Money in his Pocket!!!
 
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There was one other thing that changed in 1998. The engine driven fan went away. The only time you really need the big fan is when you are towing a heavy load uphill (high power required = high heat), at low speed (very little ram air cooling), with high ambient temperatures. The radiator/coolers themselves and the suspension bits are probably as good or better than anything Ford ever offered in its HD trailer tow packages. The old cooling parts don't interchange, and trying to cobble a truly effective engine driven fan would be very difficult. The aftermarket junk you can buy would likely be a step backwards. Just wait till the cool of the night and keep your speed up if you have to tow something heavy up a mountain out west in July.
 
Interesting thing is the '96 and '97 are virtually identical

The LSE is available in Canada still, but then the CVLXSport isn't available there. I think it was mostly dropped here because it just wasn't selling well, most GM buyers apparently want that bench seat, and the Marauder exists.

Looks like you will get a limited selection of colours for 2004 model
 
427435...

"And of course the LSE option should be brought back. In fact, I would prefer the LSE with the Marauder engine over the Marauder itself. The Darth Vader look and the shinny chrome pimpmobile wheels just don't do it for me (boy, an I gonna get flammed now!!!). If I were to buy a Marauder, the chrome wheels would get replaced with the wheels off the "bullit" Mustang or something similar"

No flame from me, 427435, to each his own, but the Vader look works for me.

Didn't FMC do what you suggest with the Mustangs of the '80s? One could buy a Cobra in full trim, or, order important options on an LE coupe? The way I recall it, mechanically both were identical, but only one had the visual flash and insurance tariff.

Maybe it would be nice to have the MM engine optional on a LSE, but what about all the other goodies? By the time you option the frame, suspension, exhaust, axel, brakes and so on, you're probably spending as much as you would for the MM anyway. Why not buy the MM, twist the Vader look anyway you desire, and still have the baddest of the bad underneath? Paint has to be cheaper than brewing a special order LSE from an option sheet...IMHO.
 
The Villager I don't think is disappearing... Isn't it getting renamed? The Montclaire or something? I know I'm probably wrong about the name, but I know it was one of the older Mercury CAR model names that was being slapped on what looked like a Villager.
 
Got one on the SS. Class II. Get a set air bags for the springs it helps.

Hey Wayne! My hitch is faster that yours!!!!!

Fun fun fun

:D
 
I read somewhere that a Mercury badged version of the Windstar named "Monterey" was due out next year.

The Villager was a Nissan Quest...
 
LincMercLover:
Mercury is getting a rebaged windstar and it name shall be "Monterey" It will have a few more goodies than the windstar. Check out this months issue of Motor Trend for pics of the Monterey. Still think they should add a 2 door MM with more power or KILL the MM. The car is not selling and not being promoted at all. Most dealers around me do not even include it the print ad on Sundays! If you really what to fume about something check out the new Aviator. posted 0-60 in 7.6! 1/4 mile in 15.7 @ 89.8! I saw one fellow post times for his MM @ 15.3 @ 92.7 in 1/4 mile. Now remember the Aviator is a sport utility NOT a musclecar. Ford SVT did Aviator's 4.6 and Rousch did MM. Aviator is 800lbs.+ over the MM and can tow 7300 lbs. I got a great black GM/CV with a good base power plant, the best suspension ever on a large car to out of Detroit. Read Car & Drivers review on the MM it is to the point. Marauder Team your work has not finsihed with this car, time to get started on the power problem! I for one do not want to be "dusted" by a DAMM SUV even if is a Lincoln!
Driving only in the right lane! (for now)
Big Dog Jim
 
okay- I think we were talking about hitches on a MM--well--anyway - I too don't understand the logic of ruining a car like the MM with an ULGY HITCH-- but, Like my son-in-law tells me when I want to do something-"It's your car--what ever you want to do with it..." So.." it's you car alright "--just think it's NOT fitting for a MM to WEAR ONE.....MY OPINION -
 
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