Choice between similar vehicles; towing history concerns

[urdrwho]

We've been looking at used Lincoln Corsairs. Yesterday we drive two, all things considered the mileage was almost the same, interior was the same, both were off lease, etc. The only difference was that one had the towing package the other did not. I'm thinking if this was picked for a lease, did they want and choose the towing package because they would be doing towing. The place where the tongue / ball is inserted did look like it had been used.

The towing package car -
The carfax shows it was used Titled in East Syracuse, New York and then Titled in Atlanta, Georgia and then back to East Syracuse again. IT's a one owner car so someone moved around in three years.

Am I reading too much into the car that may or may not have towed? I have no idea what was towed, where or the weight.

 

[skyactiv]

Maybe the previous lessee rented a Uhaul trailer or used the hitch for a bike rack. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[joekingcorvette]

I doubt they towed much with a Lincoln Corsair and if so more than likely it was something light duty. I have seen a few instances at the boat ramp where someone will back in a fairly large boat though. You can only guess what that vehicle towed. It doesn't sound like the rear bumper area was all dinged up from backing into the ball of a trailer.

 

[GON]

We've been looking at used Lincoln Corsairs. Yesterday we drive two, all things considered the mileage was almost the same, interior was the same, both were off lease, etc. The only difference was that one had the towing package the other did not. I'm thinking if this was picked for a lease, did they want and choose the towing package because they would be doing towing. The place where the tongue / ball is inserted did look like it had been used.

The towing package car -
The carfax shows it was used Titled in East Syracuse, New York and then Titled in Atlanta, Georgia and then back to East Syracuse again. IT's a one owner car so someone moved around in three years.

Am I reading too much into the car that may or may not have towed? I have no idea what was towed, where or the weight.

I would pass on the towing package Lincoln. No way to know what the prior towed, how long, how far, etc. You are an educated buyer, no reason whatsoever to take an unnecessary risk.

Two years ago, I purchased a 2005 Lexus GX 470. One of the happiest moments was when I discovered the GX 470 didn't have the towing package, nor an aftermarket tow package installed. I also purchased a never titled (manufacturer vehicle) Ford F350 with 10k miles. It also didn't have a factory tow package. I was super happy the F350 also didn't have a tow package. I did install tow packages on the GX470 and F350.

 

[bullwinkle]

I would definitely go over the transmission, drivetrain, & brakes with a fine-toothed comb on the one with the towing package. Back when I bought my 2 Cummins Dodge Rams used, I stayed away from gooseneck hitch equipped trucks for the exact same reason-you never know…

 

[urdrwho]

I would pass on the towing package Lincoln. No way to know what the prior towed, how long, how far, etc. You are an educated buyer, no reason whatsoever to take an unnecessary risk.

Two years ago, I purchased a 2005 Lexus GX 470. One of the happiest moments was when I discovered the GX 470 didn't have the towing package, nor an aftermarket tow package installed. I also purchased a never titled (manufacturer vehicle) Ford F350 with 10k miles. It also didn't have a factory tow package. I was super happy the F350 also didn't have a tow package. I did install tow packages on the GX470 and F350.

Yes all things being considered, there are enough of these cars for sale that I don't need to take a risk. I spent many years in the risk management area of construction work. Plus anyone that has seen my previous posts, I am looking for another car that rides more comfortable for my cancer surviving wife's pain. The towing car had the 19 inch rims that came with a shorter sidewall than the 18 inch. I think the 18 inch is standard tire and because I'm into function over style, we want as much rubber / air as possible between the rim and road.

Other posts talk of possible towing of bikes, small u-haul trailers and that could be true. But as one person posted they have seen larger boats being towed. So without knowing, to the chagrin of my wife, I think we should pass. I just needed some input to bolster my position on passing.

 

[PF52]

Someday when I sell my Honda Fit, I'll probably get asked about the 2" hitch receiver on it. Honest, I only used it to mount a bike rack!

Just for fun, I should pose it for photos with a giant trailer hitched to it.

 

[eljefino]

Odd that the towing package came with skinnier tires. I don't think Lincoln was too serious about it, nor the leasee.

If the tow package means you get more heavy duty stuff-- radiator, alternator, springs, brakes, transmission cooler, that might be seen as a plus. But since you're looking for a soft ride, you may actually prefer not having the stiff springs.

 

[panthermike]

Very possible it was used for light duty/bike rack. However, I agree that it is an unnecessary risk and personally would go with a non-tow package option.

 

[urdrwho]

Odd that the towing package came with skinnier tires. I don't think Lincoln was too serious about it, nor the leasee.

If the tow package means you get more heavy duty stuff-- radiator, alternator, springs, brakes, transmission cooler, that might be seen as a plus. But since you're looking for a soft ride, you may actually prefer not having the stiff springs.

Yes I had thought about the extra suspension that may have been added.

 

[urdrwho]

Maybe the previous lessee rented a Uhaul trailer or used the hitch for a bike rack. I wouldn't worry about it.

A small U-haul weighs 850 pounds empty. Add a few people and the car "could" have been running around a lot with more weight than we all know.

"Volume: up to 142 cu. ft. · Max load: 1,650 lbs. · Gross vehicle weight: 2,500 lbs. max. · Empty weight: 850 lbs"

 

[AZjeff]

@urdrwho, you've been at this search for a while. Hope you find something soon to give your wife comfort. Best wishes.

You don't say where in Pa you are but I'd be as concerned about the car living in Syracuse where they likely use large amounts of salt on the roads.

 

[97prizm]

We've been looking at used Lincoln Corsairs. Yesterday we drive two, all things considered the mileage was almost the same, interior was the same, both were off lease, etc. The only difference was that one had the towing package the other did not. I'm thinking if this was picked for a lease, did they want and choose the towing package because they would be doing towing. The place where the tongue / ball is inserted did look like it had been used.

The towing package car -
The carfax shows it was used Titled in East Syracuse, New York and then Titled in Atlanta, Georgia and then back to East Syracuse again. IT's a one owner car so someone moved around in three years.

Am I reading too much into the car that may or may not have towed? I have no idea what was towed, where or the weight.

If you plan on towing definitely go with the vehicle with the tow package. I know certain states are picky about plating a vehicle and if you live there for more than a couple of months or so it better have local plates.

 

[urdrwho]

@urdrwho, you've been at this search for a while. Hope you find something soon to give your wife comfort. Best wishes.

You don't say where in Pa you are but I'd be as concerned about the car living in Syracuse where they likely use large amounts of salt on the roads.

Yep, I know about that salt and it is also on my radar. I'm in southern PA down near MD. We get snow but nothing like New York and Syracuse is close to Buff-a-snow, New York.

 

[SC Maintenance]

You never know. My truck has a towing package. I put a D-ring in it when off-roading - as a recovery point. Never towed anything. I added a hitch to my Xterra to hold the same D-ring or a bike rack.

Or maybe there one of those people that think towed a 5000 lb boat down the interstate - tow ratings are really just guidelines right.



Pays your money and take your picks.

 

[dishdude]

Tow hitch on a Lincoln? I can picture it in use!

 

[urdrwho]

Tow hitch on a Lincoln? I can picture it in use!

View attachment 253795

Yes these are known and if I could talk to the previous owner, I could ask, was this what you used that tow bar for? If (a big unknown if) that would be all it was used for then ok. But you don't under or ask for an entire towing package for that chair. BTW we have been seeing portable ones on TV and considered buying one. Fold up little things that were well designed.

 

[Sierra048]

The Ford Edge we bought back in December 2020 had the tow package. It was the reason we bought it. I think the Edge and the Corsair are pretty similar. All I used it for was to transfer our trash to the local transfer station using a hitch mounted cargo carrier. Our neighbors have an Edge with the towing package for hauling the wife's electric scooter as seen above. Can't think of a time I've ever seen an Edge actually towing anything. In the Edge with a towing package from the factory you do not get a spare tire/donut. You get a battery powered inflator and some slime. I'm assuming that has to do with the added weight of the tow package.

 

[andrew_j]

Tow packages are popular here for dump runs where you buy a platform for hitch and place two garbage cans on it to avoid trash in smaller vehicle.

Does the tow connector plug look used ?

 

[urdrwho]

Tow packages are popular here for dump runs where you buy a platform for hitch and place two garbage cans on it to avoid trash in smaller vehicle.

Does the tow connector plug look used ?

The same spare tire situation with the Corsair. The sales guy opened it to say, and here is your spare ..... Oh, you get a can of air. Caught him off guard. I've looked on Lincoln forums and two or more things are different on the towing package. One is a larger alternator the other is a transmission cooler and also some wiring harness changes. I'm surprised I haven't seen anything about a beefier suspension???