Volvo V50 or V70 for towing

[Paul Bearer]

Hi all

I am returning to caravanning after a break of 20 years, I have had Volvo estates in the past but the last few years downsized to a noddy car

So am having to buy a vehicle as well as a caravan

I was looking at the Volvo V50 and V70 diesels about the 2006 to 2008 years

My question being would the V50 be man enough for the job or would it be better to go for a V70

I have one in mind, a V70 2.4D 163hp

Would either vehicle have better attributes for towing or economy over the other

Anyone towing with either vehicle that could share some advice please

The caravan I have in mind has an MTPLM of 1,271kg so not very heavy

Many thanks

[anthonyfrancis]

I have a s60 saloon version of the v70 and it tows with ease don't even know the van is on the back, downside the turning circle, the v50 would have a better one, but either car would tow well. But the v70 would have more torque.

[Paul Bearer]

Thanks for your feedback much appreciated

:-)

[Sasha94]

A V70 won't necessarily have more torque, a V50 D5 with a manual gearbox shares the same 400nm torque the 185 V70 D5 has, only the automatic is restricted to 350nm. 1271kg is a small van indeed and a V50 would be adequate for this in either 2.0D or D5 guise.

Have a look at this for a V50

http://www.thetowcarawards.com/tow-car/volvo-v50/

And

For a P2 V70 http://www.thetowcarawards.com/winne...7-1425-1574kg/

For a P3 V70 http://www.practicalcaravan.com/revi...d-se-geartonic

[Paul Bearer]

Many thanks for those

I have seen and read quite a few reviews but not these

Sounds like the V50 would do the job but perhaps the V70 would do it better

I will see what I find with a V70 I am viewing

Much appreciate the feedback very useful

[Tannaton]

As has been said if you get the full fat versions, the V50 D5 has similar power to the V70 D5 (note - on later post 2005 V70 the D5 was 185BHP and the 2.4D was 163).

Both are easily capable of towing your van but the V70 weighs around 200 Kg more than the V50 and has much more load space. The extra weight might make for a more stable set-up, if you are a fan of the 85% rule of caravan towing then you would be close or slightly over that with the V50. Still legal though and safe if driven with care.

[Paul Bearer]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

As has been said if you get the full fat versions, the V50 D5 has similar power to the V70 D5 (note - on later post 2005 V70 the D5 was 185BHP and the 2.4D was 163).

Both are easily capable of towing your van but the V70 weighs around 200 Kg more than the V50 and has much more load space. The extra weight might make for a more stable set-up, if you are a fan of the 85% rule of caravan towing then you would be close or slightly over that with the V50. Still legal though and safe if driven with care.

Apologies, I thought I had replied to yours

Many thanks for the feedback I am pleased to say I am now the owner of a V70 2.4D and very nice it is too

Just have to find something to tow now ;-)

After I have worked out what all the buttons do of course :-) quite a few more than my last 940

Thanks again