XC70 Towing

[simonish]

Hi there

Query when towing with my 2014 XC70 D Auto (Nivomat), the car rides and drives great but even in a slight breeze the wallow effect is felt and is quite uncomfortable, I'm towing a single axle caravan MTPLM is 1643 but I dont believe I'm near that, got about 85kg in the nose of the van and car is decently loaded - running max recommended tire psi for full load.

Currently thinking of either fitting heavy duty anti-roll bars to the suspension or even swapping the car for an XC60 (drastic). Cars has done a fully maintained 107k and for some reason doesnt feel quite right. I get the occaisonal creak from the rear end over bumps when solo which seems to go away on tow and there are no loeaks from the nivomats - just sailed through MOT

Any thoughts/recommendations please?

[FreshAir]

I've found from towing with lighter cars in the past with caravan weight around 95% of car that it is best not to put too much load in the boot of the car. I hardly put anything in there now. I found it reduced the front axle weight on the car too much, and could also bottom out suspension at the rear, which won't be an issue for you with self levelling.

I now most stuff over the axle of the caravan. Nose weight is one thing, but distribution of the mass relative to the caravan axle also matters.

[apersson850]

Especially when equipped with Nivomat, it's better to exceed the allowed downforce on the hitch than having a swaying trailer.
It will carry it anyway.

As a rule of thumb, if you while straddling the tow bar on the trailer just barely can lift it, then it's good. Not having too heavy things far back in the trailer is also a good idea, like pointed out above.
My current caravan has a total weight (what you call MTPLM) of 1700 kg, by the way.

With these precautions, the XC70 is excellent for towing. At the same time, I put heavy things, like the tent/awning, tool box, exterior table and chairs and camera in the car. This not to overload my caravan, which has only 200 kg allowed load.

An inspection of the front rear bushings on your car is also a good idea. They tend to rotten over time. I've replaced mine, but my car is eleven years and have done more than 360000 km.

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by apersson850

Especially when equipped with Nivomat, it's better to exceed the allowed downforce on the hitch than having a swaying trailer.
It will carry it anyway.

As a rule of thumb, if you while straddling the tow bar on the trailer just barely can lift it, then it's good. Not having too heavy things far back in the trailer is also a good idea, like pointed out above.
My current caravan has a total weight (what you call MTPLM) of 1700 kg, by the way.

With these precautions, the XC70 is excellent for towing. At the same time, I put heavy things, like the tent/awning, tool box, exterior table and chairs and camera in the car. This not to overload my caravan, which has only 200 kg allowed load.

An inspection of the front rear bushings on your car is also a good idea. They tend to rotten over time. I've replaced mine, but my car is eleven years and have done more than 360000 km.

Agree with the above

- I always tow with a heavy nose weight, often above the rating, I believe it makes for a more stable set up. In some states of Australia the law states that the nose weight should be a minimum of 7% of the trailer weight - and in AU the same Volvo cars and towbars are rated 225-250Kg nose weights (XC60, XC70 & XC90).

- Any slight play in worn bushes, joints, shock absorbers is not good for heavy towing, especially on the rear, and can lead to un-damped oscillations.

- Keep additional load in the caravan to over the axle, put only those things at the front to control the nose weight.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mW_gzdh6to

[apersson850]

The nose weight to total trailer weight ratio is for those who can't make proper trailers for cars. It's the same conditions in USA. They make trailers that are designed like farming equipment. Wheels far back to give high nose weight.

It takes the more advanced axis and chassies we use in Europe to make trailers run well after cars, without having to go high above 100 kg nose weight.

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by apersson850

The nose weight to total trailer weight ratio is for those who can't make proper trailers for cars. It's the same conditions in USA. They make trailers that are designed like farming equipment. Wheels far back to give high nose weight.

It takes the more advanced axis and chassies we use in Europe to make trailers run well after cars, without having to go high above 100 kg nose weight.

I wouldn't agree with that. Towing trailers is much more common in the US and Australia, and at greater weights than we generally do in the UK and Europe. Even small (by their standards, F150) pickups in the US can tow over 5 tons in certain states.

[37 RUBY]

Originally Posted by simonish

Hi there

Query when towing with my 2014 XC70 D Auto (Nivomat), the car rides and drives great but even in a slight breeze the wallow

I get the occaisonal creak from the rear end over bumps when solo which seems to go away on tow and there are no loeaks from the nivomats - just sailed through MOT

Any thoughts/recommendations please?

Yes I do....

I've got a 2015 non Nivomat D5 Auto with 91k.

Just a month ago it felt wrong on the rear but nothing obvious to be seen and towing our 1800 kg caravan was unusually twitchy. I have 80kg on the towbar, 41psi in Pirelli tyres.

On a cold morning there was the odd creak from rear suspension but it soon passed.

A MOT time the bushes came back as an advisory item so I've had them done.

Picked up our van yesterday, first time since new bushes and normal service resumed.

So your occasional creak might just be the pointer to your answer.

As an aside, when I first got the car it had Continentals on and it was awful - felt like it had rear steering !

Hope that helps you.

[apersson850]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

I wouldn't agree with that. Towing trailers is much more common in the US and Australia, and at greater weights than we generally do in the UK and Europe. Even small (by their standards, F150) pickups in the US can tow over 5 tons in certain states.

I didn't say they don't tow. I said they can't make trailers for cars.
That's why they, in the US, almost always tow with pickup trucks, from 150/1500 size and upwards. They can handle more nose weight than ordinary cars, like a Volvo XC70.