Volvo XC 70 3.2 wagon

[dryflyfisher]

We are about to put a Hensley hitch system on this 2008 wagon to pull a 28' Airstream International. Anyone out there with experience with this as a tow vehicle? Issues to be prepared for? Thanks

[azflycaster]

Originally Posted by dryflyfisher

We are about to put a Hensley hitch system on this 2008 wagon to pull a 28' Airstream International. Anyone out there with experience with this as a tow vehicle? Issues to be prepared for? Thanks

The numbers don't look like this will work.
Towing Capacity= 3300 lbs

[easyride]

My wife has a V-70 wagon,there is no way I would try to pull an Airstream with it,no matter what kind of hitch you put on it. Dave

[2airishuman]

what happened to the s'burb with a 4.10 rear end from last year ?

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f463...cle-57682.html

trying to match a trailer of that size to a small station wagon is silly.

the 28 and haha will more than double the payload and towing capacity.

and grossly violate every other sensible towing metric.

will this make for safe, relaxed, confident towing ?

or is this just pre-winter dreaming...

drag u'self back to your older perfect tow thread and REread the real life options for a 28.

cheers
2air'

[Road Ruler]

Good day dff

Many cars/wagons have great potential as TV's but in some cases need special evaluation/considerations/and or hardware/setup.

Many forum members would suggest using a towing specialist who has the knowledge and experiance to assist in such a venture.

Many forum members would suggest a specialist like Can Am RV in Ontario.

[AlbertF]

The V70 3.2 is on my list of potential tow vehicles next time around. I presently tow our Overlander with a 2001 S60 - no turbo, manual transmission. I've towed nearly 20,000 miles in the last four years, and despite the clutch slip needed to get 9,500 to 10,000 lbs combined weight going on a grade, the car still has the original clutch at about 110,000 miles. Stability is a non-issue if the hitch is set up right, and I do not use a Hensley or equivalent. Power is adequate; I simply need to be patient at times, but on level highways I set the cruise control at 65 mph (in fourth gear).

The V70 3.2 would have plenty of power. Your trailer is heavier than mine, but there would still be a good margin. You will need to pay attention to loading of the car, but Volvos typically have higher than average payload capacities. Stability would be fine; personally, I'd start with a conventional hitch but if you want to use a Hensley, great.

The six-speed automatic is an unknown for me, but I believe that cooling is everything. Investigate installing an auxliary transmission cooler. Having said that, Volvo seems to have addressed many of its reliability issues in recent years, and the current models seem to be very good.

Finally, Volvo seems to be the only manufacturer that actively tests its cars in towing situations, and works to design towing capability into them.

[SteveH]

Ya know, if someone suggested towing such an Airstream with, let's say a Chevy Colorado (simular sized/powered vehicle), everyone on here would scream it would not work, would not be safe, etc.

But let it be a Volvo......

[dryflyfisher]

Andy Thompson of CANAM RV says this will work fine. It needs to have some undercarriage work to set it up for a Hensley, but he feels it will be totally adequate, even though it isn't rated for this weight.

He tows with a Jaguar, and drove a VW Jetta Diesel towing a 25' to Alumapalooza this spring. He seems to know this engineering space.

[dryflyfisher]

Thanks,
Can Am says it will be great. I plan to have them set it up for me unless I am convinced it truely is crazy.....

[dryflyfisher]

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

what happened to the s'burb with a 4.10 rear end from last year ?

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f463...cle-57682.html

trying to match a trailer of that size to a small station wagon is silly.

the 28 and haha will more than double the payload and towing capacity.

and grossly violate every other sensible towing metric.

will this make for safe, relaxed, confident towing ?

or is this just pre-winter dreaming...

drag u'self back to your older perfect tow thread and REread the real life options for a 28.

cheers
2air'

We have been studying this issue and went to Alumapalooza in the spring. Andy Thompson of CanAm RV was there and did a whole show on tow vehicles that was very convincing, backed up by a lot of experience and personal use. He drove a diesel VW Jetta towing a 25' Airstream and his usual tow vehicle is a Jaguar. He has written many articles for Airstream Life on the subject and says the tow ratings don't tell the true capacity, that other engineering factors are more important. The advantage of not having to use a truck are compelling to us as we have a garage in a building that has a bit less than 6' of headroom.

[SteveH]

Before you do it, do yourself a favor...load about 1000 pounds of stuff in the back seat of your Volvo, and then drive it and imagine towing another 7000 pounds behind it.

[dryflyfisher]

Originally Posted by AlbertF

The V70 3.2 is on my list of potential tow vehicles next time around. I presently tow our Overlander with a 2001 S60 - no turbo, manual transmission. I've towed nearly 20,000 miles in the last four years, and despite the clutch slip needed to get 9,500 to 10,000 lbs combined weight going on a grade, the car still has the original clutch at about 110,000 miles. Stability is a non-issue if the hitch is set up right, and I do not use a Hensley or equivalent. Power is adequate; I simply need to be patient at times, but on level highways I set the cruise control at 65 mph (in fourth gear).

The V70 3.2 would have plenty of power. Your trailer is heavier than mine, but there would still be a good margin. You will need to pay attention to loading of the car, but Volvos typically have higher than average payload capacities. Stability would be fine; personally, I'd start with a conventional hitch but if you want to use a Hensley, great.

The six-speed automatic is an unknown for me, but I believe that cooling is everything. Investigate installing an auxliary transmission cooler. Having said that, Volvo seems to have addressed many of its reliability issues in recent years, and the current models seem to be very good.

Finally, Volvo seems to be the only manufacturer that actively tests its cars in towing situations, and works to design towing capability into them.

Glad to hear this. As you can see from others who have responded, most think this is a big mistake. We are going on the recommendation of Andy Thompson who owns CanAm RV in Ontario who believes the solution is how you engineer the car's towing system to distribute the load, etc. He uses Jettas and Jaguars for towing. We are just beginning to gwet into trailers and don't want to make too many big mistakes.
Thanks.

[ALANSD]

You will find out soon enough if the tranny can take it. As a former manager of a Volvo Dealership, I wish you the best. If it works for you there are loads of nice used Volvos out there ready for a whole new use.

[kevin242]

My wife has a Volvo wagon and I would NOT feel at all comfortable towing something as large & heavy as a 28' International behind it. Overall, the wagon is lightweight, seriously under-rated for this trailer and short-wheelbased - all things you don't want in a tow vehicle for a large trailer. Towing is more than just having enough horsepower & torque. Imagine yourself taking evasive action to avoid a head-on collision... if you are lucky enough to avoid the oncoming vehicle, you might still get yourself killed when "the mouse finds it can't control the little red wagon"!

Our Ford F-150 extended cab with the small 4.6 litre V8 is barely adequate for towing our '77 25' Tradewind (~4600 lbs., and truck is rated for 6600 lbs. towing) into headwinds and up steep grades, but I like the weight & wheelbase as winds and sudden manoevers to avoid wildlife, etc. don't toss it around uncomfortably...

Just my humble opinion - don't even think about matching your Volvo wagon to your trailer, and seriously beware anyone who says "no problem".

[Airslide]

Originally Posted by ALANSD

You will find out soon enough if the tranny can take it. As a former manager of a Volvo Dealership, I wish you the best. If it works for you there are loads of nice used Volvos out there ready for a whole new use.

So I am a current service manager of a Volvo dealership and like you, Im sure you have seen and heard it all. Volvo does conduct testing with caravans in Sweden and the cars are pretty capable due to their overall size and ability. Here is the problem. This is a passenger car. The suspension, bushings and components are designed for daily use as a passenger car. I have spent many hours under this car looking around and fixing things. Go ahead and add this heavy trailer to the vehicle even with a special hitch (which would be absolutely required) and your going to have premature wear beyond belief. If you google volvo transmissions prepare yourself for lots of reading. We still dont know enough about the durability of this transmission yet but our shop has replaced a few units including valve bodies. Can the car tow the trailer?.. sure it can but at what cost? Volvo warranty will walk away very quickly in the event of a breakdown. While I was working at Volvo corporate as a rep we had some test cars. We beat the heck out of these cars including towing. The cars were capable and we would nearly always make it to our destination but they were test cars and in the end we didnt care about them as they were disposable. If this is your family car your going to kill it early. Get yourself a framed vehicle that is designed with a bit more torture in mind and enjoy the Volvo for its intended use. Dont mean to be so critical and I really do love the product but just seen enough carnage and upset traveling folks as I can already picture having this conversation with you in person after the tow truck arrives.
And its always on a Friday at 5:00 pm...

Vinnie

[AlbertF]

Originally Posted by SteveH

Ya know, if someone suggested towing such an Airstream with, let's say a Chevy Colorado (simular sized/powered vehicle), everyone on here would scream it would not work, would not be safe, etc.

But let it be a Volvo......

I don't have time to go into the numbers, but the Colorado would probably be significantly inferior to the Volvo, mostly in terms of stability but also in pulling power ("torque to the pavement").

[SteveH]

Originally Posted by AlbertF

I don't have time to go into the numbers, but the Colorado would probably be significantly inferior to the Volvo, mostly in terms of stability but also in pulling power ("torque to the pavement").

Well, I took the Colorado as an example simply because it is a simular sized American built truck, but since you brought it up....

The 70 Volvo has a 3.2 Liter engine (normally asperated engine), the Colorado's mid sized engine (there is now a 5.3 liter V8 option), but the mid sized in line 5 is 3.7 liter. The Volvo is 240 HP, and 236 ft lb torque, the Colorado is 242 HP, and 242 torque.

Any more questions?

[ALANSD]

I would be listening to Vinnie, these guys know their stuff. I learned a lot from the service guys and the product knowledge classes I took.

You know if you had a 22' Airstream..especially an older one (50s or 60s) the concept would make a lot more sense.

[B25guy]

The manufacturers towing specs on cars and SUVs are arbitrary and can be regarded as absolute limits beyond the vehicles intended purpose and for a very short period of time. Any towing specs from Volvo are invariably based on much lighter and smaller trailers as are popular in Europe.
If you put that much weight on a this sized vehicle that was purposely designed to be robust, reliable, well-balanced, capable and efficient for its size, you can see right off that you'd be at the extreme of capability and you're probably gonna spend more time at the dealership than towing. Don't even think about the carnage in the event of a panic maneuver or blowout on the TV. Those CanAm guys are sharp...I have a diesel Jetta but wouldn't even consider towing my 25'...ever!
My expertise is in the aviation realm and because overspeed/overtemp/overrev/overweight/over your head/etc. translate into loss of life, nominal limits are carefully derived and strictly adhered to. There are maximums but careful operators never go there unless in an emergency. There is always (and always will be) somebody who exceeds the published limits and tells the tale...but not always.
I was recently talking with a good friend about her experience towing an 8k horse trailer behind a 1-ton Chevy dually and in panic stop (attempt) went sailing right through an intersection...luckily without hitting anybody. She now has a Frieghtliner FL60 SportChassis.
If you don't have enough, get more...don't kid yourself...this is not an ego thing. My garage won't fit my Dodge 2500 p/u so it stays outside...that's the cost to me

Marc.

[withidl]

Originally Posted by dryflyfisher

Andy Thompson of CANAM RV says this will work fine. It needs to have some undercarriage work to set it up for a Hensley, but he feels it will be totally adequate, even though it isn't rated for this weight.

He tows with a Jaguar, and drove a VW Jetta Diesel towing a 25' to Alumapalooza this spring. He seems to know this engineering space.

You can trust Andy Thomson and his operation; he advised me on my 2001 BMW X5 and 31 foot 2002 ASCL which I drove from Houston, TX, to London, Ontario to take delivery of. I spent 2 weeks at his dealership; they know what they are doing. Search on "withidl" for my posts on this matter.