1.6 ok for towing a caravan?

Dec 13th, 2006, 11:08

Would my 1.6 440 be ok towing a large caravan? Anybody have experience of this? Planning a trip for the spring, mostly motorway miles but I will be travelling a long distance!

S60-MBS · Dec 13th, 2006, 11:16

I towed a caravan using a 1.6 and found it quite difficult as car wasnt powerful enough...really struggled on hilly roads..but the car was not a Volvo..but i shouldnt imagine it being to different..

sarge · Dec 13th, 2006, 11:26

I don't have experience of towing with a 1.6 but have driven an S40 1.6 and even unladen it felt underpowered. I would expect a 1.6 to really struggle with a caravan, especially a big one. Your handbook should give the max towable weight for your car and this may give some idea as to its suitability or otherwise.

Sarge
'99 V70 AWD

LankyTim · Dec 13th, 2006, 13:40

A 1600 car would tow a smaller caravan but as with many things in life, bigger is better. Id expect to be down to 40 mph revving the engine hard on steep sections of motorway.

4 forty · Dec 13th, 2006, 14:20

having previously owned a 1.6, i totally agree with the previous three answers,i now have a diesel, plenty of torque for towing, and economy too.

paul

DavieC · Dec 14th, 2006, 21:29

My aunt used to two a small two berth caravan with a 53 plate Vauxhall Agila. It had a measly three cylinder engine. She travelled all of the country in it. The only problem she found with it was going up the hill on the A9 south out of Inverness!!

She then went and got a diesel scenic and blew the gearbox up. Apparently the scenic wasn't up to towing?

DavieC

Viper_7 · Dec 14th, 2006, 22:06

Didn't mean to thank you there! clicked wrong button
but a damn fine post all the same!

I trust said Caravan has it's own independant brakes?

CTCNetwork · Dec 15th, 2006, 01:19

Hi,

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavieC

She then went and got a diesel scenic and blew the gearbox up. Apparently the scenic wasn't up to towing?

DavieC

I would suspect that the scenic wasn't up to much to start...

I would say that 1.6 is a bit on the low/small side for towing.
It does, of course, depend on what it is you are towing..
A light 800 kg caravan would be Ok, but if towing something round the 85% rule for the car then it may well be struggling.

Yes, diesels are better as they have better low end torque to handle tugging..
But again, depends on what you're towing... Overall weight may still kill you!

BTW anything over 750Kg will need brakes as it is the max weight for an unbreaked trailer.

Des. . .

Tervueren · Dec 15th, 2006, 21:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by manic440

Would my 1.6 440 be ok towing a large caravan? Anybody have experience of this? Planning a trip for the spring, mostly motorway miles but I will be travelling a long distance!

Honest opinion, your car would be a danger on the road towing anything near a large caravan, possibly a small lightweight van of around 800 kilos, its not only the engine but the kerbweight of the car, definately a case of the tail wagging the dog if you know what I mean.
look here,,,,,,,,,,,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRXmE5XNVCw
John

CTCNetwork · Dec 15th, 2006, 21:49

Hi,

That YouTube vid is such a good example. And so damn funny too..!

+ YouTube Video

Enjoy in a box..

Des. . .

Dec 13th, 2006, 11:08	#1
manic440 Guest Location:	1.6 ok for towing a caravan? Would my 1.6 440 be ok towing a large caravan? Anybody have experience of this? Planning a trip for the spring, mostly motorway miles but I will be travelling a long distance!

Dec 13th, 2006, 11:16	#2
S60-MBS VOC Member Last Online: Jun 7th, 2020 11:28 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: ???????????????? View Photos By: S60-MBS	I towed a caravan using a 1.6 and found it quite difficult as car wasnt powerful enough...really struggled on hilly roads..but the car was not a Volvo..but i shouldnt imagine it being to different.. __________________

Dec 13th, 2006, 13:40	#4
LankyTim Missing the point Last Online: Feb 5th, 2023 23:12 Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Stoke-On-Trent View Photos By: LankyTim	A 1600 car would tow a smaller caravan but as with many things in life, bigger is better. Id expect to be down to 40 mph revving the engine hard on steep sections of motorway. __________________ Tim 1968 Volvo 145 long term project. Currently without a Volvo daily driver.

Dec 13th, 2006, 14:20	#5
4 forty VOC Member Last Online: Aug 12th, 2015 14:44 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: sunderland	1.6 towing having previously owned a 1.6, i totally agree with the previous three answers,i now have a diesel, plenty of torque for towing, and economy too. paul

Dec 14th, 2006, 22:06	#7
Viper_7 Premier Member Last Online: Aug 30th, 2013 17:33 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: York	Didn't mean to thank you there! clicked wrong button but a damn fine post all the same! I trust said Caravan has it's own independant brakes? __________________ S60 D5 SE 2004 Titanium Grey Winter Pack Mods: Volvo Tax disc holder - increases power output by 5% Child Seat Rear and side Volvo fitted blinds. Tree Sap from May - July. Removed at least 46 cup holders for weight reduction.

Dec 13th, 2006, 11:26	#3
sarge Master Member Last Online: Nov 5th, 2010 08:01 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Roy Bridge	I don't have experience of towing with a 1.6 but have driven an S40 1.6 and even unladen it felt underpowered. I would expect a 1.6 to really struggle with a caravan, especially a big one. Your handbook should give the max towable weight for your car and this may give some idea as to its suitability or otherwise. Sarge '99 V70 AWD

Dec 14th, 2006, 21:29	#6
DavieC Member Last Online: Jan 11th, 2023 12:55 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Forres	My aunt used to two a small two berth caravan with a 53 plate Vauxhall Agila. It had a measly three cylinder engine. She travelled all of the country in it. The only problem she found with it was going up the hill on the A9 south out of Inverness!! She then went and got a diesel scenic and blew the gearbox up. Apparently the scenic wasn't up to towing? DavieC

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