ClassicCar

Bob C.

We're going to do the Freedom Road Rally in North Carolina in September. Because my old Pathfinder wouldn't tow my trailer with my '56 Thunderbird on it, we sold it and I bought a 2006 Buick Ranier in cherry condition that will. The Ranier is a clone of the GMC Envoy and Chevy Trailblazer. It's got the 4.2 in line six in it and has the factory tow package. My question is, with 61K miles on it and a solid maintenance history, should I spring the additional $2k for an extended warranty?

I've always avoided extended warranties by doing my homework on things I buy and only buying top quality, but this one worries me. It's loaded with all the electronic bells and whistles and is a really nice ride, plus has the towing capacity I need to tow the bird from Florida to NC. I'll be setting it up with a load leveling hitch.

Any advice from owners of Raniers, Envoy's, or Trailblazers?

BTW, we trailed our Model A all over the country with the old 01 Pathfinder, but the extra 900 pounds of the bird was a little too much to risk.

Thanks in Advance,

Bob C.

46HudsonPU

Hi Bob,
I did a bit of research on the 4.2L vortec inline six, when I was considering it for a 'rod' project a few years ago. Be aware that the block is aluminum, and that it has ceramic sleeves for the pistons (there were some issues with the sleeves working loose or cracking early-on, but I recall reading that they had been corrected). Has some decent torque (all inline sixes are somewhat known for their torque), and is rated at around 295 HP. Usually it is coupled to a 4L60e trans, which is a fairly solid trans.

Before doing any serious towing, I'd have:
- The trans gone-over, fluids and filters changed;
- The brakes gone over. Even if the pads have been replaced, the rotors may have just 'squeeked by' - I'd check to make sure they're up to the task;

It's a bit hard to get a 'handle' on what the towing capacity of your Trailblazer is (?), expecially considering it has a towing package. Standard towing capacity is listed as 5400 lbs for 2006, however I have also read it at 6800 (possibly with the towing package (?))...
A standard 56 Thunderbird sits at around 4420 lbs, and the trailer will probably add another 1500 lbs onto that (much more if enclosed and/or hauling 'extras'), for a total of around 6000 lbs - give or take a few pounds.

For the first number, you're over, for the second number, you're 'pushing the capacity' a bit - even with a basic two-axle open trailer. I would probably have gone with something a bit bigger, that was rated at around double the weight that you would ever consider towing (IMO) - of course I am a very cautious person.

If you are confident in the truck, I would not bother with the extended warranty. I would invest in a AAA membership, a 'rock shield' for the front of the trailer, some good mud flaps for the truck, and make sure that the 56 Thunderbird has full 'Classic Car' insurance coverage.

Club Coupe

I generally go with the extended warranty and for me, it has paid off. I had a 7/70 extended warranty on a Chrysler some years ago and at 65,000 the transmission went out and was replaced under the warranty. I bought the car used and it was something like $89.95 to transfer the the 7/70 so that was a real deal for me. I had a Buick that had to have the ABS computer replaced at around 60,000 miles. The computer was $1,000 and the warranty cost me $1200 so it almost paid for itself there, but at 68,000 the supercharger went out and was replaced. The supercharger itself was a little over $1500 and I don't know what the labor would have been so I made off there. One word of caution. Get the real GM Warranty and make sure that use as a tow vehicle will not void the warranty. I don't know if you can extend on the "bells and whistles" and that should be factored into your decision, but one transmission or computer box replacement will pay for the warranty.

Along with Rick's suggestions, I would replace the water pump, thermostat and all of the hoses. At 6 years and 61,000 if they are original, they need to be replaced.

Bob C.

Good points guys. Rick, I actually had both the T-bird and trailer weighed. The bird comes in at 3,560 and the trailer at 1,680 for 5,240. The spec on this one is 5,700 with a tongue weight hitch, but can be over 7,000 with a load leveling spring hitch which I plan to have installed. Right now, I'm putting a new soft top on the bird, so when I'm done, I'll take it to a local super good hitch place to have all that done. I just did new tires and brakes on the trailer last October. Even though the pads look like new, I'd planned to replace them anyway and have the trans serviced. I hadn't thought about the hoses and all though, so I'll have them done too. This is stuff I'd done with the 01 Pathfinder as we used it to tow our Model A sedan all over the place. I may replace the battery too. There's no date on it, but in Florida, if you get 3 years on one, you've done well and this is a replacement. The funny thing is when I look at Consumer Reports vehicle histories, the Ranier has a lot better record than either the Envoy or Trailblazer. I have to believe it's the type of folks who typically buy Buick's who may be easier on them. The biggest trouble area seemed to be the AWD on these.

Good idea on checking on the GM extended warranty and if it covers towing problems. I'll do both. The one the dealer offered through Fidelity Warranty Services is pretty strong for $1,566 for 2/24 and $2,120 for 3/36. I've used AAA's plus service many times driving our old cars and have them both insured up the wazoo through Hagerty. Hadn't thought about mud flaps though. I'll make sure they're good too.

My history with Buick's is having owned a '57 Roadmaster 2 dr HT for a short time in the late 60's and having stuffed a 64 Rivera 425 nailhead into a '53 Studebaker coupe when I was a kid. I guess I need to go buy a pair of those dark goggles when I drive this one now.

Thanks very much for the advice!

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