Wits End

lexel · Jan 25th, 2015, 22:13

Hi folks,
I've got tiresome, uncomfortable, frustrating and ruddy annoying issue when towing with my 2009 XC70 D5 SE Geartronic which I have owned from new, its done 45500 miles, dealer serviced and unabused. Fitted with a Witter detachable tow bar & 13 pin.
I've explored every avenue I can think of for a fix (I'm not a technician and hopeless with spanners) including checking every tread on this forum.

We recently changed our caravan from a very heavy twin axle 2006 Bailey Wyoming to a 2012 single axle Swift Conqueror 570 (with ATC) which is a 88% match for the XC70, I was looking forward to towing a well matched outfit. (The Bailey was towed with Discovery 2)

The reality is that when towing the Swift, the car responds very badly to bumpy or uneven road surfaces. When the van bounces, as I'm assured single axles vans will do, the back end of the car resonates up and down in a totally uncharacteristic and very uncomfortable way. It actually shakes passengers stomachs as it bounces up and down. Without the van coupled the rear suspension on the Volv will compress and rebound once, with it coupled it seems to be much softer and rebounds up to three times when pushed down.

I am fastidious about tyre pressures (38psi on the car and 65psi on the van) and noseweights (90kg for the Volv) and good loading practice.
My local dealer has confirmed that the car is fitted with 'standard' suspension (not self levelling) which they have physically checked and no issues found. Bushes etc are good.
The caravan has been back to the dealer and they report no issues.

As part of the elimination/investigation process I have towed the Swift with a friends Skoda Yeti and it performed as I hoped the Volv would have done, with no adverse reactions to the 'single axle caravan bounce' which I have been told to expect as being normal. Which sadly all points to the problem being with my car and not the van.

I'm hoping to get the Volv back into the dealer this week, they want to put it on their rolling road and electronically check the operation of the suspension.

In the meantime, I'll be happy to learn from anyone's experience of such a problem, especially if you know the cure, and I don't mean sick bags.

Apart from this 'bouncing' problem, the XC70 pulls the caravan with total ease.
Apologies for such a long winded write up, I wanted to avoid a lot of "have you done this and have you done that" type stuff.
Thanks for reading this far.

axle4 · Jan 25th, 2015, 22:35

i had a 1999 xc70 with the 2.5 petrol in it, towed very well, only thing i can think of is it a proper xc type towbar? because the ride height is higher the standard v70 one.

lexel · Jan 25th, 2015, 22:40

Yes, I forgot to mention that I've also been back to the Towbar centre and its pucker for the XC70.
Thanks.

Youngnick · Jan 26th, 2015, 08:07

I would be looking more closely at the rear shock absorbers, at one time they had a recommended life of 40K miles.

One might also expect a difference in ride between the Yeti and the Volvo due to the relative distances between the rear axle and the tow ball.

You are fortunate that your dealer has a rolling road, I bet that will identify the problem.

Rossi-fan · Jan 26th, 2015, 08:22

I would sell your XC, and buy a Skoda Yeti

debcab06 · Jan 26th, 2015, 16:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by lexel

Yes, I forgot to mention that I've also been back to the Towbar centre and its pucker for the XC70.
Thanks.

I think I`d check the height of your 50mm ball against V70 and Yeti.....is it higher??

lexel · Jan 26th, 2015, 19:22

We measured the towball height on my XC70 and the Yeti and they are both 17" from floor to the top of the ball.
Thanks.

volvorocks · Jan 26th, 2015, 19:25

I would also check your suspension, springs and shock absorbers. Maybe upgrade them?

Also what noseweight can the Volvo take? Is your caravan front heavy?

Regards

IainMcL1970 · Jan 26th, 2015, 19:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rossi-fan

I would sell your XC, and buy a Skoda Yeti

Two cars ago I had a Yeti 170 TDi .... marvellous car and an excellent towcar!

As for the OP ... I would have expected more pitching with your twin axle than the single ... strange you have it the other way around.

Is your nosweight guage accurate? I used a cheap one for years then swapped to a calibrated Milenco one, the rading was much different!

lexel · Jan 26th, 2015, 20:26

Yep, the max noseweight on my XC70 is 90kg, which is observed; and the noseweight tester is a good quality Millenco.
Thanks.

Jan 25th, 2015, 22:13	#1
lexel New Member Last Online: Apr 10th, 2015 20:17 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Worcester	Wits End Hi folks, I've got tiresome, uncomfortable, frustrating and ruddy annoying issue when towing with my 2009 XC70 D5 SE Geartronic which I have owned from new, its done 45500 miles, dealer serviced and unabused. Fitted with a Witter detachable tow bar & 13 pin. I've explored every avenue I can think of for a fix (I'm not a technician and hopeless with spanners) including checking every tread on this forum. We recently changed our caravan from a very heavy twin axle 2006 Bailey Wyoming to a 2012 single axle Swift Conqueror 570 (with ATC) which is a 88% match for the XC70, I was looking forward to towing a well matched outfit. (The Bailey was towed with Discovery 2) The reality is that when towing the Swift, the car responds very badly to bumpy or uneven road surfaces. When the van bounces, as I'm assured single axles vans will do, the back end of the car resonates up and down in a totally uncharacteristic and very uncomfortable way. It actually shakes passengers stomachs as it bounces up and down. Without the van coupled the rear suspension on the Volv will compress and rebound once, with it coupled it seems to be much softer and rebounds up to three times when pushed down. I am fastidious about tyre pressures (38psi on the car and 65psi on the van) and noseweights (90kg for the Volv) and good loading practice. My local dealer has confirmed that the car is fitted with 'standard' suspension (not self levelling) which they have physically checked and no issues found. Bushes etc are good. The caravan has been back to the dealer and they report no issues. As part of the elimination/investigation process I have towed the Swift with a friends Skoda Yeti and it performed as I hoped the Volv would have done, with no adverse reactions to the 'single axle caravan bounce' which I have been told to expect as being normal. Which sadly all points to the problem being with my car and not the van. I'm hoping to get the Volv back into the dealer this week, they want to put it on their rolling road and electronically check the operation of the suspension. In the meantime, I'll be happy to learn from anyone's experience of such a problem, especially if you know the cure, and I don't mean sick bags. Apart from this 'bouncing' problem, the XC70 pulls the caravan with total ease. Apologies for such a long winded write up, I wanted to avoid a lot of "have you done this and have you done that" type stuff. Thanks for reading this far.

Jan 25th, 2015, 22:40	#3
lexel New Member Last Online: Apr 10th, 2015 20:17 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Worcester	Wits End Yes, I forgot to mention that I've also been back to the Towbar centre and its pucker for the XC70. Thanks.

Jan 25th, 2015, 22:35	#2
axle4 Senior Member Last Online: Oct 7th, 2017 06:38 Join Date: May 2010 Location: rugby	i had a 1999 xc70 with the 2.5 petrol in it, towed very well, only thing i can think of is it a proper xc type towbar? because the ride height is higher the standard v70 one.

Jan 26th, 2015, 08:07	#4
Youngnick New Member Last Online: Dec 25th, 2018 08:15 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Marlow	I would be looking more closely at the rear shock absorbers, at one time they had a recommended life of 40K miles. One might also expect a difference in ride between the Yeti and the Volvo due to the relative distances between the rear axle and the tow ball. You are fortunate that your dealer has a rolling road, I bet that will identify the problem.

Jan 26th, 2015, 08:22	#5
Rossi-fan Premier Member Last Online: Feb 12th, 2023 10:07 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Durham	I would sell your XC, and buy a Skoda Yeti

Jan 26th, 2015, 19:22	#7
lexel New Member Last Online: Apr 10th, 2015 20:17 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Worcester	We measured the towball height on my XC70 and the Yeti and they are both 17" from floor to the top of the ball. Thanks.

Jan 26th, 2015, 19:25	#8
volvorocks Rodney Last Online: Aug 4th, 2016 05:02 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: On The Street	I would also check your suspension, springs and shock absorbers. Maybe upgrade them? Also what noseweight can the Volvo take? Is your caravan front heavy? Regards

Jan 26th, 2015, 20:26	#10
lexel New Member Last Online: Apr 10th, 2015 20:17 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Worcester	Yep, the max noseweight on my XC70 is 90kg, which is observed; and the noseweight tester is a good quality Millenco. Thanks.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)