Towing Z252 with Buick Rainier 5.3L
 

My parents have a 1999 Z252 and we need to bring it up to Iowa from the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri since they recently sold their condo. It's sitting on a brand new double axle trailer and is ready to be brought home. I am wanting to go get it with my Buick Rainier that has a 5.3L in it. From what I see around the internet the boat weighs around 4300 lbs. dry, and I'm guessing the trailer to be around 1200 lbs. Does this sound about right? This would put me right around the max towing capacity of my Rainier. I am not concerned with the weight of the boat and trailer but more so the size of them as I know the Rainier has plenty of power to pull it. Currently the most I have towed with the Rainier is my Camaro on a flatbed trailer and it does a great job with that. I am guessing the boat and trailer would weigh maybe 1000 lbs. more than my car and trailer combo.

The only reason that I want to take the Rainier is because my wife and are going to stop in Kansas City on the way and look at a 2009 Avalanche and possibly trade the Rainier in on it. If I don't end up getting the Avalanche then we would continue on to the lake and would have to use the Rainier to bring the boat back. It has new brakes, 3.73 gear, and I have tuned it with HPTuners. It also has rear air bags that level it out with a load on it. I have seen these GMT360 platforms (Trailblazer, Envoy, etc.) tow some heavy boats, campers, etc.

It's a very easy drive and traffic is minimal most of the way. I would obviously take it easy and not rush coming back. I would ideally stop every two hours to give the Rainier a break and let things cool off. What do you all think?

For reference here is a picture of the boat. This is NOT the trailer it is now sitting on. Also, the new trailer has surge brakes.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...psok3m9msq.jpg

Picture of the Rainer towing my Camaro.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...psmdl2zpha.jpg

Re: Towing Z252 with Buick Rainier 5.3L
 

One thing to check is the speed rating of the trailer tires. I know mine are rated only for 65 mph, but I found an addendum to overfill to reach a max of 75 mph. My sister did not check on her boat and ruined the tires 1/2 way to lake powell.

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Re: Towing Z252 with Buick Rainier 5.3L
 

I certainly wouldn't exceed 65 MPH if I am using the Rainier to pull it, ha. Thanks for the tip though!

Re: Towing Z252 with Buick Rainier 5.3L
 

I towed a similar boat (Shabah 250) with a 1/2 ton pickup rated to pull 7,300lbs. It was a very uncomfortable drive from AZ to CO. Mostly because the trailer brakes were not working.
The truck did not enjoy the pull. Knowing what I know now I would have not done it. Having all the power to pull is great. Not having the weight to stop it is scary and unsafe.

Re: Towing Z252 with Buick Rainier 5.3L
 

I suggest making a stop at least every 30 minutes. I don't know why this is the case, but the power steering will overheat unless you have a p/s cooler. Most towing packages include the cooler.

Re: Towing Z252 with Buick Rainier 5.3L
 

Motoxxx43 brings up a good point about checking the surge breaks. I would test them and check the fluid.

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Re: Towing Z252 with Buick Rainier 5.3L
 

Figured I would update this thread with what we did. I borrowed my cousins 2012 Tahoe LTZ and it pulled the boat very well. Had no problem running 70 mph and keeping speed. The surge brakes worked very well and I had no issues slowing down or stopping. I figure I can now use the Rainier to pull the boat to and from our local lake which is about 15 minutes away. Within the next year I plan to upgrade my vehicle as I intend to trailer my Camaro around more as well as the boat.

Re: Towing Z252 with Buick Rainier 5.3L
 

Thanks for update and glad you made it safe and sound.

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