Wing Mirrors for XC70 when Towing

[dennisconnaughton]

I have just purchased a XC70 for towing a Swift Challenger 560. Has any member had experience of using towing mirrors with this vehicle.

[CTCNetwork]

Hi,

You should be Ok with those rubber strap-on jobbies as they hold onto most mirrors like glue!!
They can be a bugger to adjust initially though..

Practical Caravan did a review of mirrors a few months ago, have to see if I can find the issue..
You could always have a look on their web site as the article may be archived..

Des. . .

EDIT: Found the review...
Linky....

[dennisconnaughton]

Many thanks for your advice

[Martyn Cubitt]

I have just updated to a V70 D5 07 model from an elderly T5. On the new car the mirrors self fold when the doors are locked.

I am concerned that the rubber band mounting mirrors (excellent, no problems over a number of years with these) might have a snag with this folding arrangement.

I will post a question to see if anyone else has picked this up

[Chaddie]

You can turn the Self Folding mirrors (when locked) off so they don't fold in. There will be a button down by the gear stick (or there was on my 07 XC70).

They have removed the button on newer cars but they can still be turned off (it now a setting within the radio menu, not easy to find, but I found it to turn it on).

[bryan123]

I have a V70 D5 Sport (55Reg) and regularly tow a caravan.

Initially I had 'Milenco' extension mirrors with screw fixings and rubber straps which while good took a little while to position and adjust. They also had a tendancy to mark the paintwork on the body of the mirrors.

Around 18months ago 'Milenco' improved the clamp fixings to the extent that the rubber straps are no longer required, these mirrors are exellent, very quick to install and if removed carefully can be refitted without further adjustment. See link http://www.milenco.com/mirror-aero.html. These are widely regarded as some of the best mirrors available and are almost vibration free.

On my 06 model V70 I have found it still possible to operate the electric folding mirrors with the extension mirrors fitted and without these contacting and damaging the bodywork; this can be quite useful on say a ferry, etc. However it is essential the mirror mounting bar is above the door mirror, as on the link photograph, and not below which is an alternative method of securing them.

I hope thats useful info.

Regards

BryanP

[Johnny8718]

Hello. On this same subject of the XC70 and towing, maybe you could help me.

I have a 2004 XC and tow an Elddis Crusader Super Sirocco. Quite a big van with an unladen weight of 1650kgs.

I did once tow with an L200 Warrior which could tow up to 3tonnes.

The Volvo gives me much less confidence especially on the Motorway although I love the car. I have fitted a roof box and try to weigh the car down as much as possible. I notice that the C/Club loved it with a twin axle Bailey (similar to my van).

Does anyone have any thoughts or tips. I have no intentions of selling either and think it may be just me. I witnessed my father roll his outfit last year and I think this is in the back of my mind all the time!

Cheers, John.

[pdr944]

Originally Posted by Johnny8718

Hello. On this same subject of the XC70 and towing, maybe you could help me.

I have a 2004 XC and tow an Elddis Crusader Super Sirocco. Quite a big van with an unladen weight of 1650kgs.

I did once tow with an L200 Warrior which could tow up to 3tonnes.

The Volvo gives me much less confidence especially on the Motorway although I love the car. I have fitted a roof box and try to weigh the car down as much as possible. I notice that the C/Club loved it with a twin axle Bailey (similar to my van).

Does anyone have any thoughts or tips. I have no intentions of selling either and think it may be just me. I witnessed my father roll his outfit last year and I think this is in the back of my mind all the time!

Cheers, John.

you should not have any problems.iv,e been towing for 29years now and my last nine cars have been volvo,s i cannot fault them.is the caravan a twin axle if so even better there as steady as a rock.just load it nose heavy (about 1cwt).the rule of thumb is dont let the caravan weigh more than 85% the weight of the towcar.most new vans today are built with a stableiser but dont worry if it has not got one they are not essential.remember load it right i.e.nose heavy and any heavy items low down and over the axle.come on you caravanners !!.
peter.

[cumbrianmale]

Originally Posted by pdr944

you should not have any problems.iv,e been towing for 29years now and my last nine cars have been volvo,s i cannot fault them.is the caravan a twin axle if so even better there as steady as a rock.just load it nose heavy (about 1cwt).the rule of thumb is dont let the caravan weigh more than 85% the weight of the towcar.most new vans today are built with a stableiser but dont worry if it has not got one they are not essential.remember load it right i.e.nose heavy and any heavy items low down and over the axle.come on you caravanners !!.
peter.

a cwt (hundred weight for the youngsters=112 lb) is a bit light as it's about 51kg. Most of the tow bars will be 75kg max and some like xc90 100kg.

A good rule of thumb is nose weight = 4-7% of laden weight but not exceeding tow ball limit. Again 85% rule is good advice though you can tow up to 100% of kerb weight provided the train weight is not exceeded and you have enough experience towing.

[outnumbered]

Originally Posted by Johnny8718

Hello. On this same subject of the XC70 and towing, maybe you could help me.

I have a 2004 XC and tow an Elddis Crusader Super Sirocco. Quite a big van with an unladen weight of 1650kgs.

I did once tow with an L200 Warrior which could tow up to 3tonnes.

The Volvo gives me much less confidence especially on the Motorway although I love the car. I have fitted a roof box and try to weigh the car down as much as possible. I notice that the C/Club loved it with a twin axle Bailey (similar to my van).

Does anyone have any thoughts or tips. I have no intentions of selling either and think it may be just me. I witnessed my father roll his outfit last year and I think this is in the back of my mind all the time!
Cheers, John.

hi john
what is the kerbweight off your car
mike