R Pod wantabe

Welcome, vandallc.  I just read over 8 or 9 forums that discussed towing with an Town Car and it seems there is no clear answer.  One forum said the towing capacity is officially 2000 lbs.  Another said they were actually towing over 5000 lbs with upgrades.  Several more talked about weights in-between.

The specs indicate to me - personal opinion - that the most important pieces are there to support a 5000 tow rating.  Its a body-on-frame vehicle, has a V8 engine and is a full-size car.  I own a '93 Caprice and it is officially rated for 5000 lbs. with the tow package.  Its body-on-frame with a V8 too.  My bet is that your suspension may have to be upgraded (firmer springs), but that is probably the only thing.  And for a 'pod you may not even have to do that since it is only around 2500 lbs.

I personally wouldn't pull any thing heavier then a small utility trailer or a pop-up under 1000#'s.  Anything heavier you are asking for mechanical problems.  There are many more things to take into consideration when calculating your towing capacity.  We blew a transmission after 4 trips with a PUP weighing 2750#'s and our capacity was 3000#'s.  You need to consider not only the weight of the trailer, but also the weight you add to the inside of vehicle (your weight and all passengers, luggage, and fuel).  

Note that you would need to upgrade your springs, not necessarily the shocks (although the shocks have to come off to change the springs, so you would upgrade them, too).  Just pointing out that the load is carried by the springs.  I don't know, but the Town Cars may have airbag suspensions and in that case the unit may act as both spring and shock.

Love it.  The next generation (the ones with slide-outs) were announced the week after we picked ours up, and if we had known I might have gone for the one with the same floorplan but with the slide-out.  I forget the model, its the 176 or 177.  I sleep in the back of the queen bed and midnight bathroom breaks mean climbing over my wife, a big pain.  I think with the slide-out I would be able to climb over her feet, much easier.  Also wouldn't have to dance around as much as we do now when everyone is trying to brush teeth, etc. before bed.  But its not such a big deal that I would now sell my 171 just to upgrade to the slide-out.