PDA

View Full Version : Trailer towing



North Coast XC
10-09-2002, 01:34 PM
I am curious as to those that have trailer hitches their experience with towing capacities.  Any adverse problems?  Recommend, not recommend?

I am considering putting a hitch on but am unsure of the practical towing capacity.  Referring to my manual points me in a direction, but what are the limits practicially.  The manual refers to trailers without brakes to a maximum of 1100 lbs.  Is this the total weight recommended for a loaded trailer?

I am primarily looking to pull a small U-Haul trailer. (need to find out the weight of a 9' trailer too).  Is this possible?

Thanks for your help in advance.  http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

wiz
10-09-2002, 01:44 PM
I think the hitches that people have been installing over in the 2001+ year forum have a rating of 3500 lbs.

You should check over there, there have been a couple threads recently on tow hitches... http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

North Coast XC
10-10-2002, 10:03 AM
I've read some of the threads in the other forum and they have mainly dealt with the brands of hitches and how to install them.

Does anyone have experience towing?  thanks for you help.

Patrick

Big
11-01-2002, 04:33 PM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (North Coast XC @ Oct. 09 2002,13:34)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I am considering putting a hitch on but am unsure of the practical towing capacity. Referring to my manual points me in a direction, but what are the limits practicially. The manual refers to trailers without brakes to a maximum of 1100 lbs. Is this the total weight recommended for a loaded trailer?

I am primarily looking to pull a small U-Haul trailer. (need to find out the weight of a 9&#39; trailer too). Is this possible?[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
With a 2000 XC, I pull a heavy-duty enclosed 6&#39; trailer without brakes but it weighs only 650 lbs empty. It has a payload capacity of 1550 lbs but I doubt if I&#39;ve had more than 1000 lbs in it (rocks), usually much less. It handles and performs fine--bounces a bit with no load and slows acceleration slightly with a big load.

An 8&#39; enclosed trailer similar to a U-Haul would weigh roughly 800 lbs and a 10&#39; would be 900+ lbs; the maximum weight (trailer plus load) depends on the trailer construction but is certainly less than 3000 lbs for a single axle. The rated towing capacity of the XC is 3300 lbs so these trailers are well within its capability. As for brakes, it&#39;s best to follow the 1100 lb guideline although it really depends on how you use it. In any case, the U-Hauls I&#39;ve rented didn&#39;t have brakes.

North Coast XC
11-04-2002, 02:19 PM
Thanks Big. &nbsp;http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

I just ordered the trailer hitch an wire harness. &nbsp;Am using the square receiver to get some more versatility out of it.

Will be renting an 8 foot U-haul without brakes. &nbsp;Not much heavy stuff to move in it (professional movers doing that).

Patrick

wiz
11-04-2002, 02:36 PM
Patrick, did you order the 2&quot; square receiver?

kvisser
11-22-2002, 11:52 AM
I have some experience with towing with my 2000XC, and is a good one. The Dealer installed a Volvo hitch, which I believe is necessary for good towing ( not to mention the warranty). I tow a 1000lbs tenttrailer, which with contents and some freight probably never will come over 1500 lbs; I don&#39;t have trailer brakes, which is just fine up tp about 1500 lbs. According the guidelinsd you can tow 3300 lbs, but then certainly brakes are recommended. I have driven from coast to coast, over the Rockies, and with no problem, except that the front brakes tend to go a bit faster than without towing, but that is to be expected. It is good if you drive in very hilly terrain or in the Rockies in the &quot; 3 &quot; gear, or to be sure not to go onto overdrive&#33;
One very good fuction of the XC, which I did not know beforehand, is that the car lifts itself up, after installing the trailer, and becomes nicely horizontal, after about 10 minutes driving. When that happened I have a good view in the rear mirror over the tent trailer onto the road behind me.
I can easily drive 100 to 110km/hr on the highway, with overtaking speed to spare.
Hope this helps.

North Coast XC
01-02-2003, 05:31 PM
UPDATE:

Well - I have now moved and my experience TOWING the 6 foot trailer was great&#33; &nbsp;http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif &nbsp; The car handled incredibly. &nbsp;U-haul on the other hand - had an electical problem that almost fried my electrical system. &nbsp; I had to unpack all the stuff in the trailer and repack into a new trailer that had lights (night driving during my 1800 km move) &nbsp;http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif &nbsp; Had to unpack and pack myself&#33;&#33;

As I said, the car handled perfectly. &nbsp;I purchased the &quot;round&quot; hitch from a Volvo dealership and had installed locally by private mechanic. &nbsp;As it turned out, the mechanic had to remove the rear bumber and mud flaps to install.

So, anyone else thinking about towing - the XC will perform perfectly&#33; &nbsp; http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Cheers
Patrick