V70: General Slightly dissappointed as a towcar

[Westyman]

My 2010 registered but allegedly 2011MY V70 D5 AWD Geartronic is the least stable Volvo towcar of the 6 I have had.
The car solo is fine, a bit less robust maybe than previous Volvos, but fine. Towing my 1650-1700kg (guess) caravan, the power and torque are great, the gearbox is fine, perhaps a tiny bit late changing down but nothing too concerning. No it's stability that's just not as good. I know the 'van is heavyish for the car but not overly so, but it was the same with the previous 1500kg 'van too.
I have fiddled about with tyre pressures and noseweight but it's the same, as speed gets above about 55 mph it just feels twitchy. Now, being a retiree, I am not unhappy tootling along at 55 but it leaves nothing in hand. A gentle downhill and speed drifts upto 60 it feels quite alarming. The caravan has Alko ATC on so I shouldn't worry I suppose but that's not the point, it should be better.
This Volvo was going to last us but am wondering if there's a better towcar, maybe my old 2005 V70??!!
Am wondering about the XC90 - the dog pen won't fit the XC60 - but have never taken much interest in them so not sure what's what with them.
BTW I have been towing for 33 years, 8 diferent caravans and 9 different towcars so I am not inexperienced!!

Any views/comments?

[apersson850]

My most recent car is a Volvo XC70 D5 AWD automatic, model year 2012. So very close to your's, except for a slightly higher ground clearance, but that doesn't make it any more stable. Rather the opposite.

Still, this is definitely the best car I've towed with so far. I have a caravan with gross weight of 1600 kg (Tabbert 560), width 250 cm.
With good hitch pressure, around 75 kg, it tracks the car in an excellent way, regardless of which (sensible) speed I use. 80 km/h is highest allowed when towing in Sweden, but as you say, occasionally it runs a bit faster, but that's no problem.

I do have one question, though. Do you have the automatic levelling system? All cars in which I've had that had been significantly better and more stable when towing, since the levelling system makes the suspension harder when it feels the heavier load. Thus less sway in the rear part of the car when you are towing.

[spandelly]

Maybe its something to do with the feel of the four wheel drive system that your not used to?

[Westyman]

Yes it does have the "Load Compensating" rear suspension.

Well at least it was specified to have it!!

[Westyman]

Originally Posted by spandelly

Maybe its something to do with the feel of the four wheel drive system that your not used to?

This is the third AWD I have had!! But thanks for the idea!!

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Westyman

This is the third AWD I have had!! But thanks for the idea!!

Have you got the genuine volvo tow bar electrics with Trailer module?

[Westyman]

Originally Posted by Clan

Have you got the genuine volvo tow bar electrics with Trailer module?

No. Witter bar and third-party electrics.

[Clan]

I know the xc60 has Trailer stability assistance (TSA-Trailer Stability Assist)
Trailer stability assistance TSA is a function to help the driver prevent the vehicle from wobbling/weaving/wandering when driving with a trailer. When driving with a trailer it is easy for the vehicle to start wobbling/weaving/wandering due to sidewinds or sudden steering wheel movements .
Whether this is on the new V70 i'm not sure , but if so the trailer module software may indicate to the car that it has a trailer connected .

[Westyman]

But the 240, the 740, the 940, V70 ph1 and V70 ph 2 never needed fancy electronics to keep a caravan stable.......

[Jameshow]

Ford

Sorry to say.

Where do we go next Audi?

B*****W

M flashy B?

james