Towing a XC70 on a trailer using a XC70 as a tow car.
 

I have a 2001 v70xc 2.4t. I want to collect a 2006 xc70 and am considering hiring a trailer to collect.

My question is would it be legally ok to tow, based on the weights?

4 wheel trailers are likely to be 850 kg before you even put a 1700 kg car on it .
However it was fun towing volvos on 4 wheel trailers behind a 264 V6 in the 70's :-)

Short answer then... no?

well the car would need to be capable of towing a 2.5 ton load so probably not !

Ideally the cars kerbside weight should be more than the combined weight of the trailer and load and if you have not towed before then there is a recommendation that this is reduced to 85%. There is also whether your licence allows you to tow such a heavy trailer. If you passed the test after 01/01/1997 then you need to have passed the B+E test.

Check your vehicles plate which should give you max load for the vehicle and any towing limits.

If in doubt you probably need to hire a Disco as well as the trailer or get someone to deliver the new car to you.

Not worries on the licence front.... although I missed out by 11 months, the old man has towed caravans for years.

I suspected that would be the issue.
I shall look into other options.

Hire a 7.5t beaver tail if old man has the category on licence (a v light 3.5t might just squeak it but v close)

http://transporterhire.co.uk/locatio...BoCstIQAvD_BwE

Biggest payload I have seen on 3.5T https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/273502009087

The short answer is most definitely not legal to use a trailer.

If you are contemplating doing something like this you must know your weights - all of them - it's your legal and social responsibility.

I think the 2001 V70 XC and 2006 XC70 are essentially the same car, the maximum towing weight of any model in this range was 1,800 Kg (if I recall correctly) and the AWD models typically weighed around 1,700 Kg. The smallest, lightweight car trailers start at around 450 Kg so your trailer weight will be a minimum of 2,150 - that's 20% over weight which is a £300 on the spot fine, potential summons and prohibition notice (i.e. your car siezed until you unload the trailer).

In practice it will probably tow it okay, if you know what you are doing and are careful but in reality is it worth the risk? A car towing the same model is a red rag to a bull for the DVSA as they know that it will be in excess of most passenger car limits. The Police are less likely to bother you as few of them know the law in detail - but some do.

If you must risk it - get a lightweight car trailer where the car sits low between the wheels, not a big heavy flatbed where the car sits high, but the advice above if your best bet I think - hire a suitable vehicle.

Just to update this I taxed, insured and drove home gingerly, listening to any noise and bump.

It's now sat on 3 wheels awaiting an overdue cambelt, alt belt and tensioner changes.

Sounds like a happy ending then?

Best way.

You would have been well over the plated weight XC70

The 240's do not have a plated towing weight so if you were lucky enough to have a 240 you could have towed it with that.

When towing the most important thing is correct nose weight and with 4 wheel trailers having correct tow ball height

^^^^^ this, although it’s probably second place to balancing the centre of gravity of the trailer - but if you get that right you probably get this right too, unless the tow ball on you car is at a height which doesn’t suit the trailer in which case you have a challenge.

Twin axle trailers can behave very differently than single axle setups with the same load....

Yeah. .. now time to service it before its back on the road