98 TC Trailer Hitch wiring...???

[enigma58]

I need to add a wiring harness for towing and I would like some inputs ...to see if there such harness out on the market that would cause the least disruption to the car and still looks like an OEM
install and is there any access hole that can be used to run the harness to the exterior with out drilling ....also any brand of trailer hitch that you guys can recommend...at most I will be pulling GRW 1,200 lbs...thank you for any inputs..Luigi

[v8_dave]

1200 lbs is nothing. But if your going to do an install, why not go with the best, a Drawtite HiddenHitch class IV, I can find you the link of where I got mine for only $200 shipped. All you can see is the 2" square tight up under the bumper, nothing else.

Wiring you just want to tap into the lights in the trunk, there is probably a kit at Walmart. Unfortunately with these cars, you want a relay'd kit so you don't mess up the LCM. That is expensive and you have to run a power wire to the trunk. I just hand-made my setup and its anything but, close to factory.

[Dereck]

Wiring you just want to tap into the lights in the trunk, there is probably a kit at Walmart. Unfortunately with these cars, you want a relay'd kit so you don't mess up the LCM. That is expensive and you have to run a power wire to the trunk. I just hand-made my setup and its anything but, close to factory.

Hi

You absolutley positively have to have a relayed wiring harness for the trailer lights! There is a TSB about overloadding the LCM.

Regards

Dereck

[Tman70]

U-haul has the kit with the relay included. I'll try and find the number for you.

[98TC-Cartier]

This one from uhaul.com

Trailer Light Power Module
$39.95
4-way flat piggyback plug with 3-to-2 powered taillight converter.

Fits any vehicle with a 12-Volt negative ground system.
Powers the trailers stop, turn and tail/running lights directly from the tow vehicles battery.
May be used on two or three wire systems.
Handles up to two bulbs per trailer circuit.
Part number: 13493

[w0by]

Can I pull my 20,000lb boat on my 01 Town Car??

[Steven]

Can I pull my 20,000lb boat on my 01 Town Car??

20,000 LB Boat? What is that a 40' Lobster hunter?

[w0by]

Why yes, you guessed correctly! No I was just wondering what people would say to a funny question like that.

[v8_dave]

Ha, yea, 3000 lbs is about max for the hitch, I think Ford says even less for the car.

[98TC-Cartier]

The book spec is 2,000 lbs. I'm guessing the self leveling suspension a big limiting factor.

[v8_dave]

The book spec is 2,000 lbs. I'm guessing the self leveling suspension a big limiting factor.

Damn thats upsetting. I always wondered the load specs are on the air springs, but I bet with the limo springs (which are regular rate, just an aluminum piston instead of plastic) you can haul much more than a coil sprung CV/GM. Although I have yet to hear of the plastic cracking on a stock TC spring.

Edit: Actually, Arnotts shows their air springs don't max out until 2500lbs each though rated for 1500lbs each for all heights it appears:

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/4687/untitledmp6.png

[98TC-Cartier]

From a quick google search found on alt.rv.pop-up-trailers

We have a 1997 Crown Vic and haven't yet towed with it. Ford says that the tow limit is 2000 lbs. However, the 1995 Crown Vic brouchure that I have lists the tow limit as 5000 lbs with the heavy duty tow package. This includes such things as: rear air suspension, extra cooling, dual exhaust with 210 horsepower, power steering oil cooler, transmission oil cooler, engine oil cooler, heavy duty u-joints, traction-Lok axle (except with anti-lock brakes)
and 3.27 axle ratio.

No reason this stuff can't be fitted to a TC to bump the tow capacity to 5k.

[enigma58]

I need to add a wiring harness for towing and I would like some inputs ...to see if there such harness out on the market that would cause the least disruption to the car and still looks like an OEM
install and is there any access hole that can be used to run the harness to the exterior with out drilling ....also any brand of trailer hitch that you guys can recommend...at most I will be pulling GRW 1,200 lbs...thank you for any inputs..Luigi
Thanks to all the replies..it's been a great help..thanks again

[wilincoln]

I purchased a class III/IV from Curt Manufactering via JC Whitney on line. Ordered Sunday, drop shipped to my house on Tuesday! Great!
Powder coated gloss black...even the welding slag and pits are powder coated.

Reciever is too short to use standard mount. Curt promised a replacement in a timely fashion for my trip (4 days away from the telephone call to Curt). It showed up 3 or four day AFTER I had departed. In the meantime UPS has been to my home on three attempts to pick up the old hitch (while I was away) .
Inept at the least.

In 30 years I have mounted no less than 21 hitches to more than that number of cars and trucks and I have never had one make noise. The Curt sounds like it is stressing all the time, even without load and even just giving a nudge to the car with your knee produces a loud crealing type noise. Unacceptable. Yes I ground down the weldments on the frame rails. Yes I torqued the bolts to 70ft lbs etc.
'
Thumbs down on this one. I will put the replacement one on to see if it is any better.
Any one have this creaking noise? Any noise ona frame mounted hitch??

With regard to the taillight adapter NAPA had one for $59. That is half the price of the hitch. The heck with that noise!!
I had a few 2N 3055 power transistors laying around and a heat sink fin from an old radio to mount them to. About 40 minutes and a hadfull of terminals I was good-to-go! The 2n3055 will sink 15 amps each ( I used three) so I don't have to worry about the number of bulbs per side etc. Relays work too but if you have to buy them it can get expensive if you use sockets etc.
Ron

[v8_dave]

Sorry, but you shouldn't have cheapened up on the hitch. My HiddenHitch by Drawtite causes no problems, fit up perfect, no noise, had to drill two 1/2" holes and it even came with a fishtape, can only see the square receiver (not the ugly chain holes) and I bet I can pull the car in half before the hitch comes off the frame.

Good deal on the transistor setup. The relays are much more intuitive for me, and I have a ton laying around from scrapped cars and a box of the spade terminals instead of the relay sockets, so cost was ~$2.