Towing & Tongue Weight?

[phlegm]

I'm a bit surprised by the relatively low tongue weight numbers in the specs - going from memory I think it is 165 lbs. (?).

The towing capacity limit is 3,300 lbs, so you'd expect a tongue weight limit in the 300lb range.

Does anyone have any insights/comments?

[John@CdnRockies]

You are correct in terms of the specs. I tow a 26 foot MacGregor sailboat which comes in around 3,000 lbs fully loaded (water ballast removed). I've never felt that it fishtailed or had a problem in several jaunts across the Cdn Rockies (Calgary to Victoria where we have a retirement house).

I'm in the UK on work regularly and the XC-70 is considered one of the prime towing vehicles hauling pretty large "caravans" (house trailers to us) which must be pushing the 3,300 lb limit.

I do find that the rear sags when the sailboat is plunked down but have never felt out of control and I am cruising along at a regular 100 to 120 kph. I'm guessing that I have more than 165 lbs on the hitch but have never measured it.

John

[phlegm]

Thx for the reply John.

We're looking to tow a camper in the 3000 lb range, but the tongue weight is listed at 260 lbs or so.

I'm trying to sort out if this would just amount to a sagging rear end, or if we'll do some frame damage by going over the rated tongue weight of the xc70.

Maybe upgraded suspension would help?

[John@CdnRockies]

I have searched without success for upgraded suspension kits. Let us know if you find an after-market solution like the "Nivomat" suspensions which are available in Europe. I don't believe that a reasonably priced alternative is available in North America.

Btw, be sure that your camper has surge brakes. Our boat trailer includes surge brakes which I would deem an essential safety item at these weight levels. Stopping otherwise is highly problematic.

The boat is in storage at this point (done this weekend). I will get out there and weigh the tongue weight using a bathroom scale. I'm guessing in the low 200's of pounds in our case. We've done about 5,000 kilometers of towing using the Volvo through the Rockies without a problem thus far (200,000 km on the odometer), so I think it is doable. I'm reasonably experienced in towing as I've done a further 20,000 kilometers towing this boat behind our Jeep.

Good luck.

John

[nick i]

Here is Australia you are required to fit a weight distribution hitch (WDH) in the follwing circumstances.
I propose to tow a 1600 kg caravan with our 2010 XC70. We also tow the same van with our 2008 Mercedes ML 320 Cdi which has a greater towing capacity. Even so, I always fit the WDH to the Merc, as I will with any car towing a rig as heavy as you all descibe, in particular those with on board brakes, being hydraulic or electrically operated.

The general rule here is to ensure stability of ones towing setup, a minumum of 10% of the weight of the trailer needs to be on the towball. Prior to hitching up your trailer, you should measure the distance between the gound and the top of the wheel arch at the front wheel. Then hitch up your trailer and adjust the WDH bars so that the car returns to the same level as evidenced by remeasuring the height at the front.

The above action transfers weight back to the front wheels thus helping to maintain steering control and tyre contact with the road when braking.

In addition, sway and control over the entire rig is considerably enhanced.

Relying on self levelling systems or stiffer springs only serves to improve internal carrying capacity of the vehicle, it does not improve towing dynamics, only a proper capacity tow bar and WDH can acheive this.

Some manufacturers allow higher tow ball download limits if a WDH is used. I, at the moment can't find reference to this for the 2008 -12 XC70.

If a manufacturer claims a braked towing limit of 1800kg, they must also acknowlege a minimum of 10% ball weight as discussed above, for safety reasons, in particular in reducing sway. Other causes of sway include incorrect weight distribution within the trailer, e.g some people put too much weight in the rear thus reducing ball weight and creating a potential disaster with excessive sway. ... Cheers ...Nick

[nick i]

Hi, Please see the following links about towing tips:

http://www.haymanreese.com.au/mmysearch.asp?Change=Year
(note 150kg ball weight limit)

http://www.haymanreese.com.au/

http://www.haymanreese.com.au/produc...ionsystems.htm
(i have the 600lb kit)

http://www.haymanreese.com.au/safert...owingguide.htm
(7 towing tips for beginners)

http://www.haymanreese.com.au/safert...towingmenu.htm
(safer towing guides).

http://www.caravan-camping.com.au/fi...r%20towing.pdf

http://www.towingguide.com.au/conten...r_trailer.html
(towing your trailer - plus more)

Cheers ... Nick

[phlegm]

Thanks for the info Nick, and confirming the "10% rule" for tongue weight.

Looking at the manual, looks like Volvo accounts for it, but only as far as trailers without brakes.

"Max Trailer Weight (without brakes): 1650 lbs / 750 kg"
"Max Tongue Weight: 165 lbs / 75 kg"

The manual later states:

"Max Trailer Weight (With brakes, 2" ball): 3,300 lbs / 1500 kg"

...but the max tongue weight remains at 165 lbs / 75 kg, so how the heck are you supposed to tow 3,300 lbs/ 1500 kg? You'd have to double the maximum rated tongue weight to keep the 10% rule.

What's the point of listing a high maximum towing capacity if you can't attach it to the vechicle? Doesn't make sense to me.

[nick i]

Hi,

The tow ball down weight when towing a braked trailer is 150kg here in AU.

It could not be 75kg this equates to the 10% for trailer without brakes up to 750kg.

See this link: http://www.haymanreese.com.au/mmysearch.asp?Change=Year

(The rating/ball weight for the Volvo XC70 2007 on with a Hayman Reese hitch receiver is 2100/150kg)

Cheers ... Nick

[phlegm]

Thanks again, but I still don't follow.

The manual says max tongue weight is 165 lbs (75 kg). There isn't a separate listing for trailers with brakes or without brakes - just one number of 165 lbs.

My interpretation (hope I'm wrong) is that you can't put more than that amount on the tongue/hitch ball. So sure, maybe the car can tow 3,300 lbs and maybe the hitch you bought after market can support 400 lbs at the tongue, but Volvo says the vehicle itself cannot support a tongue weight greater than 165 lbs. (?)

Are you saying I can double what Volvo sets as Max?

[stplfld]

... by two issues:
1. the tongue load of 165 lbs when the specs allow to pull 3300 lbs
2. front wheel drive based AWD system performance on a wet boat ramp - trying to pull the boat up?

I assume that with a weight distribution hitch item 1. may be addressed?

BUT I am quite concerned about point 2: I've spent at least 8 hours researching on line, but there does not seem to be any conclusive answer in regards to ramps. COULD EXISTING OWNERS please shed some light? I am looking to purchase a 2010 T6 XC70

Input is greatly appreciated - since I did find a used car with all the right equipment. Don't really want to go back to an SUV. Total towing distance will be short <5 miles and level.

thanks