Towing capacity for 240 GL.

[c_lee]

We are thinking of buying a touring caravan after a 22 year break from caravanning.
I would use my 240 manual to tow.

I have, a few years ago, used the Auto to tow a 16' body length Eldis Shamal that we have use of.

When, in the 80's, we used to tour the UK and continent with the '76 244 Auto we had a Piper Clubman 212 caravan and towing that was a breeze.

We expect to be buying a bigger van this time.
Does anyone have any tips for us.

Does anyone tow with a 240 these days?

Colin

[Oilydad]

Hi Colin:

Although I've moved on from my 240 GLE, which was my second Volvo back in the 80's, we used it extensively to tow our caravan at the time.

We had a Viking Fibreline 4 berth caravan in those days. Similar to this 2 berth one that I found on Google pics, although ours was in far better condition!!

These were one of the few caravans that were made from fibreglass. Lovely to look after, but very, very heavy, and certainly much heavier than the vans of today. Technology has moved on. Nobody stressed out about 'noseweights' and all that stuff years ago. You just stuck your caravan on the towbar and off you went! Life was much simpler....and, I have to say... better!!



Makes me laugh looking at it now...it looks SO ancient....but we had a hell of a lot of fun with it. I was scuba diving at the time, and it became the "Club Base" for many an expedition. You'd be surprised how the aroma of bacon sarnies first thing in the morning can bring half the club flocking to your door!! Our children had holidays that they would never have had without it, and the average cost for a nights stay on most sites was about 4 quid. Happy Days!

We took it abroad several times, and as far as Skye and Cornwall in the UK. We still caravan, but with a much smaller and more modern van now. We don't go as far now either, because we now weigh up the difference between taking the caravan or using a hotel or B&B whichh often is cheaper now when the astronomic cost of fuel is factored in.

The 240 (Manual) towed it everywhere without a murmur, took it all in its stride. It was one of the best tow cars I ever owned. We ALWAYS used a stabiliser. I think they should be compulsory, although most vans these days have them built in.

You won't have any problems.

Enjoy your caravanning.

[c_lee]

Thanks for that Oily.

Looks like I've found a van, a Lunar Clubman 500/4 that weighs in at about 1100Kg loaded max.
I see in my Volvo manual that a 240 kerb-weight varies between 1280 and 1400 Kg depending on variant so I could be just a smidgen over the 85% ratio if I assume lightest 240 variant and maximum loaded van.

I actually still have my stabiliser from the 80's ( must get shut of my kipper ties and flares ).

Looks like I'm going to be busy checking the van over and doing some repairs soon.

Colin

[Oilydad]

That's amazing....We've had a Lunar Clubman 500/4...... The 240 will pull it no bother. It will be like it's on rails! Use that stabiliser.

The secret with ANY caravan is how you load the inside of it. Keep everything (like awnings etc) as low and near to the centre of the floor and axle as possible. Definitely not on the seats. Don't carry any liquids (which can slop about and make the van unstable), and don't forget that the roof of your car with a decent roof rack/bars can add valuable carrying space for lighter bulky items. Sensible packing reduces the possibility of the caravan swaying around.

Saw one on the M5 the other day, it looked like the guy was carrying a load of anvils in the back, it was SO low down. Not safe at all! Bloody stupid to set out on any road like that! No consideration for other people's safety at all.

And ALWAYS.....like ALWAYS....carry a serviceable spare wheel, trolley jack, and a foot pump. And of course the tools to undo your wheel nuts.

Enjoy.

[57RKL]

I have been towing with a 240GLT till last year. Family of four + 1100kg Sprite Major 5 with ease. 1500kgs is the quoted max limit for a 240 saloon or estate. I now have a 740 turbo estate which is excellent also but 18mpg towing compared to 22mpg towing with the 240

[Paul240480]

IIRC, max nose weight is 75Kg & Max tow is 1600Kgs for a 240. This gives you a BIG choice of van
My first was a Fleetwood Garland 165/5 - a light weight for its capacity.I upgraded to a Swift Challenger 490/SE Lux 5-berth - 1395KG MTPLM. My 240 (B200E), though slowed to a graceful pace, enjoyed the chalenge
Your car will cope

[c_lee]

One thing I have noticed about my tow-bar, which is a Volvo original, is that the tow-ball assembly bolts to the tow-bar with 4 bolts as opposed to the usual 2 bolts.
Both my cars have Volvo tow-bars and they are the same in that respect.

And, guess what, my stabiliser plate is the type that uses 2 bolts to mount so will have to do a bit of thinking about how to overcome that problem.
My '76 244 had a Witter tow-bar.

I might have to have something fabricated for that unless there are any suggestions here.

Good to be re-assured by your towing experience Oily of a Lunar 500-4 with a 240. Thanks.

Colin

EDIT: Thanks Paul for the nose weight details.
We must have typing at the same time - your reply wasn't there when I started typing.

[c_lee]

Originally Posted by 57RKL

I have been towing with a 240GLT till last year. Family of four + 1100kg Sprite Major 5 with ease. 1500kgs is the quoted max limit for a 240 saloon or estate. I now have a 740 turbo estate which is excellent also but 18mpg towing compared to 22mpg towing with the 240

Hmmm.... ( thinks to myself ) Maybe I could use that info as justification to my Mrs. to seek a GLT to replace the Auto.

But she has said before she doesn't want a manual - and a 240GLT Auto I would think would be particularly thirsty when towing.

I used to get ~22mpg towing the Piper Clubman 212 with the '76 244 GL B21E ( 3 speed BW35 ) Auto.
It only did 24-25 when not towing.
It was quite a heavy van for its size though as it was a 1979 model with steel chassis.

Colin

[Paul240480]

Just looking in my 240 manual:

Max weights for trailers with brakes given by Volvo are:

Max 1500kgs not exeeding 50mph (80Kph)

Max 1600kgs not exceeding 45mph (70Kph)
Auto's must have an oil cooler.

Personally, I'd not be happy to tow such a weight with mine, the trailer would push the car about too much. As mentioned my Swift was 1395Kgs MTPLM so that was getting to about as far as I'd be happy with, and that was after some years with the Fleetwood (much lighter) as a beginer tow-er

As for your stabiliser, have you considered an ALKO hitch stabiliser? They are absolutely the bees knees, so much more effective than the old 'bar type' & no need for anything to bolt onto the tow-bar

[c_lee]

Towed the Lunar Clubman 500-4 home today with the the Auto and it towed it easily.

I used the Auto to collect it to avoid any embarrassing engine stalls as I haven't towed anything that big for quite a while.

Looks like I now have a project to deliver - and by our anticipated 3 week trip to Cornwall expected June or July.