|
Towing and Caravan Topics A forum for all towing/caravanning related topics |
Information |
|
Towing capacity for 240 GL.Views : 11326 Replies : 30Users Viewing This Thread : |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
Apr 14th, 2011, 23:25 | #21 | |
VOC26332
Last Online: Apr 1st, 2024 22:25
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Leigh, Lancs
|
Quote:
Thanks for the input. Both my 240's have 4 bolt type towbars like the one in the photo so it's unlikely to be one that has been fabricated specially as a ' one of '. The plate on the upper surface of the towball mount is marked Volvo and has the spec on it. I think it was probably a standard 240 towbar of its era - I think it has a Volvo part No on it on the plate - will check. The threads that the 4 bolts in the photo screw into are on a flat plate that is part of, and welded to, the main body of the towbar which is totally of a one piece welded construction right up to the chassis mounts. The towbar has no 2 bolt fixing holes of the usual type anywhere unfortunately. The horizontal spacing of the holes is also different to the normal spacing on a 2 bolt mount towball and the bolts are slightly smaller in diameter than would be used on a standard 2 bolt mount. I have a standard 2 bolt mounting towball in my spares and looked at fitting it years ago - but the mounting is completely different. More head scratching needed. Colin
__________________
'82>'95 '76 244GL Auto: '95>'02 '86 360GLT: '02>'06 '92 440Xi: '04>'12 '88 240GL B200E Auto: '06>'12 '88 240GL B200E Man: '11>'19 V70 2.5D Auto Volvo since '82. |
|
Apr 15th, 2011, 09:33 | #22 |
Premier Member
Last Online: Mar 21st, 2016 21:21
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Exeter Devon
|
I am confused.
Looking at the picture of your towbar, I see 4 bolts.... well I can see three of them actually, but assume the 4th is there. If the towball bracket is welded to the main towbar, then what are they for? There would be no need for them? But more to the point, I see that behind the right hand 2 bolts there is a mounting plate for a 7 pin socket. At some time, that must have been put there, and the only way to do that, as far as I can see, is to undo the bolts. Are you SURE they don't undo? Basically IF they do, then you can simply mount another ball, electric socket and stab bracket for your newer stabiliser. I think you'll find that that whole ball unit detatches from the main towbar. I'd be very surprised if it didn't.
__________________
Are We Nearly There Yet! No longer a VOLVO owner, not by choice, but 'cause they don't make proper Volvos any more! Last edited by Oilydad; Apr 15th, 2011 at 09:40. |
Apr 15th, 2011, 22:33 | #23 | |
VOC26332
Last Online: Apr 1st, 2024 22:25
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Leigh, Lancs
|
Quote:
Thanks for the reply. We seem to have got our wires a little crossed probably due to the way I have described it. Before long I will be removing my towball bracket from the towbar to fit a 12S ( the grey one ) socket and I'll take, then post, some pictures of the fittings then. A picture ( or two ), as they say, is worth a thousand words. Thanks - Colin
__________________
'82>'95 '76 244GL Auto: '95>'02 '86 360GLT: '02>'06 '92 440Xi: '04>'12 '88 240GL B200E Auto: '06>'12 '88 240GL B200E Man: '11>'19 V70 2.5D Auto Volvo since '82. |
|
The Following User Says Thank You to c_lee For This Useful Post: |
Apr 16th, 2011, 23:37 | #24 |
VOC26332
Last Online: Apr 1st, 2024 22:25
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Leigh, Lancs
|
Hi Oily,
Here is a towbar exactly like mine on eBay. Good price too at £9.99 for anyone needing one in the West Midlands. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VOLVO-240-TOWB...item1e62d716ac In that photo the towbar is shown up side down though in relation to the towball bracket itself, but it shows the 4 holes that the towball mount bolts to in the plate welded to the circular section of the main tow bar cross member. Those are the 4 holes that the bolts in my earlier photo bolt into. It might not be obvious from the photo but the bolts are slightly smaller and differently spaced horizontally from the standard 2 bolt mountings. Hope this helps to clarify our crossed wires. Colin
__________________
'82>'95 '76 244GL Auto: '95>'02 '86 360GLT: '02>'06 '92 440Xi: '04>'12 '88 240GL B200E Auto: '06>'12 '88 240GL B200E Man: '11>'19 V70 2.5D Auto Volvo since '82. |
May 8th, 2011, 00:53 | #25 |
VOC26332
Last Online: Apr 1st, 2024 22:25
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Leigh, Lancs
|
Here are some photos of my Lunar restoration.
Last updated last week. The front end wallboards have now been replaced and there was no leaking in there tonight despite torrential downpour. http://www.colin-lee33.pwp.blueyonde...unar/index.htm I am in contact with a man in Scotland who's got much more to do than I on his 1990 Clubman. We are nearly there now. Colin
__________________
'82>'95 '76 244GL Auto: '95>'02 '86 360GLT: '02>'06 '92 440Xi: '04>'12 '88 240GL B200E Auto: '06>'12 '88 240GL B200E Man: '11>'19 V70 2.5D Auto Volvo since '82. |
May 11th, 2011, 13:30 | #26 | |
Not an expert but ...
Last Online: Yesterday 12:45
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Boncath
|
Quote:
I agree about as low as possible, but is it actually best to concentrate weight close to the axle, rather than distributed evenly along the floor? I ask because when ballasting a boat it is very important to spread the distribution fore and aft, to minimise excessive pitching. Maintaining weight at the extremities helps to dampen rocking backwards and forwards, because of inertia. Imagine carrying a long heavy pole over your shoulder. Isn't that more stable than a long very light pole with the same weight concentrated in the middle? |
|
May 25th, 2011, 01:07 | #27 |
VOC26332
Last Online: Apr 1st, 2024 22:25
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Leigh, Lancs
|
I've been updating my webspace regularly regarding the Lunar caravan repairs and things are now looking good.
See here http://www.colin-lee33.pwp.blueyonde...unar/index.htm - new posts at the bottom of the page. I have now just about sorted the situation with the caravan stabiliser too - drilled and re-tapped the hole where that broken and rusty 'immovable' bolt was in an earlier post here. I'll be glad when it's all done and ready to tour. BTW: Don't think I'll be organising a Volvo meet at Pennington Flash this year - too much to do.
__________________
'82>'95 '76 244GL Auto: '95>'02 '86 360GLT: '02>'06 '92 440Xi: '04>'12 '88 240GL B200E Auto: '06>'12 '88 240GL B200E Man: '11>'19 V70 2.5D Auto Volvo since '82. Last edited by c_lee; May 25th, 2011 at 01:22. |
May 25th, 2011, 08:06 | #28 | |
Not an expert but ...
Last Online: Yesterday 12:45
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Boncath
|
Quote:
I had one like that. The holes are a non-standard spacing, so an ordinary ball or dropplate and combination jaw/ball won't fit. I took the whole tow bar off and put on an ordinary one. I needed an adjustable drop-plate to pull an old army trailer with a high coupling. |
|
Jun 4th, 2011, 01:02 | #29 |
VOC26332
Last Online: Apr 1st, 2024 22:25
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Leigh, Lancs
|
After checking the running gear and adjusting the brakes earlier this week I took the outfit out on the road for a trial tow.
I had had new tyres fitted to the caravan and fitted spring assisters to my 240 manual. As Oily said, with the stabiliser fitted, it tows like it's on rails - very stable. It also was able to get up to speed easily too - though the van only had a little over its unladen weight in it. I don't anticipate problems though once it is loaded correctly. I updated my webspace last night at http://www.colin-lee33.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/lunar/ A few minor jobs remain but we will be away in it for a trial weekend before too long. Thanks for any help here. Colin
__________________
'82>'95 '76 244GL Auto: '95>'02 '86 360GLT: '02>'06 '92 440Xi: '04>'12 '88 240GL B200E Auto: '06>'12 '88 240GL B200E Man: '11>'19 V70 2.5D Auto Volvo since '82. |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
|
|