Thread: 01 GTP towing capability

So here it is.... I have a 2001 Grand Prix GTP Sedan. It has 115,000 miles, has been very well maintained (all fluids have recently been changed as well as the intake manifold gasket, brakes, belts) and I have been told that GM says the towing capability for this car is around 1,000 pounds. Well I am here to ask for some input on my current situation.

I am moving from Michigan to Texas. It is 1,200 miles and around 21 hours travel time. The truck we were going to rent has been bumped up to around $1,300 bucks because the place we are going to rent from only have 16 foot trailers left. We would like to save as much money as possible... so what I was thinking about doing was buying a class 2 hitch and bolting on the back of the GTP for about $220. Then I was going to get a 5x8 or 5x10 trailer on the back and tow it down there. This would save us 700 to 800 dollars and be a whole lot easier. The empty trailer would be about 900 pounds and totally loaded (we don't have a lot we're taking with us) it would probably be about 1,500 pounds.

Does towing with a supercharger make a difference?
I know the trannies aren't the best, but if its in great shape can it take it?

Now I know most people are going to say don't do this... or grand prixs aren't made for this. I know this already. I am just looking for someone who maybe knows of someone who has done this, or have some sort of constructive criticism. Thanks in advance!

i don't know thw capacity but if gm says 1000 i wouldn't exceed it by much

Granted I'm just a GT, I have a class II hitch on mine and have used it to pull a ~800 lb. waverunner along with 100+lbs of crap in the car with my 200+ lb. friend on a 6 hour trip before with no probs. Also have towed 12 ft. trailer with alot of stuff in it. But your trailer alone is 900 lbs. I've seen a bonneville pulling an 18' boat before, whatever thats worth.

The biggest issue you have is to not get into boost while towing. I would just be careful and not beat on your car while towing, and stay in the right lane, lol. I've also heard the you can just pop off the supercharger belt, but not to sure on that?

I would not tow with mine, but my concern would be the low compression ratio of the engine with the low rpm to slowly get going. Speed up for the hills to make it easier to get up them and take your time. Just don't overload the trailer.

How about renting a car or truck instead to pull the trailer? I would much rather break another car than my own.

Good luck

edit: hook it up and drive a few miles and make the determination with the empty trailer

Well thanks for the input. Makes me feel a little bit better about what i'm gonna do :P I plan on going between 55 - 60 mph in the right lane for most of the trip. I am going to accelerate slow and try to keep it in third gear if possible. We are planning on getting an enclosed trailer (900 pounds empty) so with our stuff hopefully it will only be around 1300-1400 pounds.

Hopefully I am just worrying too much, but hey can you blame me? If we are on these forums its because our grand prix is our baby. So anyone elses thoughts would be much appreciated :P thank you.

Also, can you run a supercharged car without the supercharger by just taking the belt off? I've never heard of that... And would it be a good idea?

Leave the belt on you should be fine.

It sounds like you take care of your car, so I would think you'd be fine. Just be easy with the right pedal.

fwiw, I left my perf. shift on..... granted I don't have it wired to a switch, so it's always on. But I figured its better for the tranny while towing.....??

I've towed lots of crap with my gtp (2k miles or so) and It does real well. I'm not concerned with my trans at all since I can rebuild these things no problem and modify them a bit. I've cracked the trans open twice in the last 3 years and my frictions were fine from towing.


Things to do when towing

Don't tow in overdrive since theirs only 2 frictions in the 4th clutch pack as opposed to 10 single sided frictions in 3rd. Leave it in 3rd and just keep a nice steady pace of 65 mph or 70 mph and you'll be fine. Definitely leave the supercharger belt on as the car will be pig slow (dangerous) without it. I've towed with my gtp with the stock gears and with 3.29 gt gears and they both pull great. Be aware when you go over railroad tracks especially when your lowered. My car has a gmpp springs which drops the car a bit so I always slow down over the tracks when towing.

You'll probably only get around 18-20 mpg when towing for a heads up. It's a good idea to keep an eye on trans temps if you have a way to monitor it. If not, just don't be flooring the car and be easy on it and you should be fine. I recommend you buying a Uhaul class 2 stealth hitch. This is a great hitch and is currently what I run.

Look at this other link I responded too

http://www.grandprixforums.net/f59/tow-hitch-10017.html