Towing with a 740

lostalot · Feb 9th, 2008, 15:51

Hi,looking for advice from anyone with more experience of towing than me.Can I reasonably expect to be able to use my 2L 740 estate to tow a Volvo 360 on a car trailer 85 miles home.I think from what I have read that a 360 is around 1100 KGs and I would have thought a hired car trailer would be around the 400KGs mark which I think means I am just about within the maximum towing weight of the 740,but in the real world is it likely to be ok without doing permenant damage to the 740.There is one long steep hill (telegraph hill )to negotiate,otherwise the roads are pretty good.
Thanks in anticipation,Paul

CTCNetwork · Feb 9th, 2008, 16:31

Hi,

Not sure of the weight of a 360, but I would have though it would be a bit more than that...
Just looked, no!:
Linky....

As you note, you'll be running pretty much near the limit for the car....
The thing to be most concerned will be the gearbox. I would check the condition of the gearbox oil/fluid before and after..
Is it a manual or an auto box? Either way it may be advisable to take a cooling break before you tackle that hill and approach in a lower gear to assist in maintaining momentum...

Luck with the tow..

Des. . .

JIM C · Feb 9th, 2008, 18:11

I think the weight of your 740 is approx 1500kg.
If the trailer is 400kg and the 360 is 1100kg you are going to tow 1500 kg which is the weight of the car. This would not make a very safe combination the recommendation is 85% of the towing vehicle. If you are going to tow make sure the car is well laden to keep the weight up.
Jim

lostalot · Feb 9th, 2008, 18:49

I'd like to pass on my thanks to both Des and Jim.I will follow the advice that you have both given.I should be collecting the 360 next weekend,I will let you know how I get on.
It never ceases to amaze me how members on this and some other forums freely pass on the knowledge that they have gained over many years (no age related pun intended) Thanks very much again.
Paul

CTCNetwork · Feb 9th, 2008, 19:00

Hi,

What I would recommend is that you balance the trailor load well (position of the car on the trailor) so that you only get 75Kgs on the tow ball and you get a balanced load.
You are less likely to "snake" your way to your destination..

Luck with the tow.. Make sure to post up some photos of car and trailor and the new 360 for us...

Des. . .

James_N · Feb 9th, 2008, 19:14

Sounds a bit touch and go, should be ok, just take it steady

dodgyken · Feb 10th, 2008, 09:54

I towed 1500KG with my B200E 740 GL from Slough to Zurich - 650 miles.

It was a tough old journey, with speed not being of the essence I went the Belgian route - but the hills were a killer - I had never driven for more than 1 mile in 2nd gear at 5500rpm before!!!

Despite the abuse, she was reliable, unbelievably so. The clutch stood up to the abuse, the gearbox equally so, and the engine shrugged off the stress. Mind you she had been checked over when I bought her, and then about 2000 miles later she was given a full service.

If my memory serves me right the 740GL comes in around 1400kg, so you do need to bulk the car up a bit. Additionally the B200E is a woeful engine for towing in the 700 - peak torque comes in at a dizzy 4800rpm - the B230E and F at 3000rpm.

For an 85 mile journey you should be fine, take it easy and under no circumstances ride the clutch!!

lostalot · Feb 17th, 2008, 20:25

Hi,
I thought I would post a follow up.I collected the 360 today using my 740 as the tow vehicle (using a trailer).Arrived home with no hiccups,the 740 behaved admirably.although I wouldn't want to put her under so much stress to often. Pleased with the 360 as well so a good trip all in all.
Thanks again for all those who offered me advice,which I followed to the letter.What can I say except great forum.
Paul.

JIM C · Feb 17th, 2008, 22:44

Glad you have managed your tow safely with the 740.
Best of luck with the 360.
Jim

CTCNetwork · Feb 17th, 2008, 23:48

Hi,

Good to hear the tripp and tow went without hiccup.
Now you have to post some photos of that 360...

Des. . .

Feb 9th, 2008, 15:51	#1
lostalot New Member Last Online: Aug 7th, 2008 16:04 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: taunton	Towing with a 740 Hi,looking for advice from anyone with more experience of towing than me.Can I reasonably expect to be able to use my 2L 740 estate to tow a Volvo 360 on a car trailer 85 miles home.I think from what I have read that a 360 is around 1100 KGs and I would have thought a hired car trailer would be around the 400KGs mark which I think means I am just about within the maximum towing weight of the 740,but in the real world is it likely to be ok without doing permenant damage to the 740.There is one long steep hill (telegraph hill )to negotiate,otherwise the roads are pretty good. Thanks in anticipation,Paul

Feb 9th, 2008, 16:31	#2
CTCNetwork Forum Support Team Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Liège, Belgium View Photos By: CTCNetwork	Hi, Not sure of the weight of a 360, but I would have though it would be a bit more than that... Just looked, no!: Linky.... As you note, you'll be running pretty much near the limit for the car.... The thing to be most concerned will be the gearbox. I would check the condition of the gearbox oil/fluid before and after.. Is it a manual or an auto box? Either way it may be advisable to take a cooling break before you tackle that hill and approach in a lower gear to assist in maintaining momentum... Luck with the tow.. Des. . . __________________ Density:- Not just a measurement ~ It's a whole way of Life.! ! ! I drive a Volvo, Please Don't Get In My Way! OldVolvos4Ever He shows up. People die. He vanishes. People should not be afraid of their governments. "He'll deliver more justice in a weekend than 10 years of your Governments should be afraid of their people... "V" courts & tribunals. Just stay out of his way." "I plan to."

Feb 9th, 2008, 18:11	#3
JIM C Forum Support Team Last Online: Jul 4th, 2021 16:28 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Scotland View Photos By: JIM C	I think the weight of your 740 is approx 1500kg. If the trailer is 400kg and the 360 is 1100kg you are going to tow 1500 kg which is the weight of the car. This would not make a very safe combination the recommendation is 85% of the towing vehicle. If you are going to tow make sure the car is well laden to keep the weight up. Jim __________________

Feb 9th, 2008, 19:00	#5
CTCNetwork Forum Support Team Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Liège, Belgium View Photos By: CTCNetwork	Hi, What I would recommend is that you balance the trailor load well (position of the car on the trailor) so that you only get 75Kgs on the tow ball and you get a balanced load. You are less likely to "snake" your way to your destination.. Luck with the tow.. Make sure to post up some photos of car and trailor and the new 360 for us... Des. . . __________________ Density:- Not just a measurement ~ It's a whole way of Life.! ! ! I drive a Volvo, Please Don't Get In My Way! OldVolvos4Ever He shows up. People die. He vanishes. People should not be afraid of their governments. "He'll deliver more justice in a weekend than 10 years of your Governments should be afraid of their people... "V" courts & tribunals. Just stay out of his way." "I plan to."

Feb 9th, 2008, 19:14	#6
James_N VOC Member Last Online: Jan 4th, 2024 11:32 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Stafford View Photos By: James_N	Sounds a bit touch and go, should be ok, just take it steady __________________ 1997 Volvo 940 LPT Celebration. 187,700 miles, manual.

Feb 9th, 2008, 18:49	#4
lostalot New Member Last Online: Aug 7th, 2008 16:04 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: taunton	I'd like to pass on my thanks to both Des and Jim.I will follow the advice that you have both given.I should be collecting the 360 next weekend,I will let you know how I get on. It never ceases to amaze me how members on this and some other forums freely pass on the knowledge that they have gained over many years (no age related pun intended) Thanks very much again. Paul

Feb 10th, 2008, 09:54	#7
dodgyken Master Member Last Online: May 13th, 2014 14:41 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Zollikon	I towed 1500KG with my B200E 740 GL from Slough to Zurich - 650 miles. It was a tough old journey, with speed not being of the essence I went the Belgian route - but the hills were a killer - I had never driven for more than 1 mile in 2nd gear at 5500rpm before!!! Despite the abuse, she was reliable, unbelievably so. The clutch stood up to the abuse, the gearbox equally so, and the engine shrugged off the stress. Mind you she had been checked over when I bought her, and then about 2000 miles later she was given a full service. If my memory serves me right the 740GL comes in around 1400kg, so you do need to bulk the car up a bit. Additionally the B200E is a woeful engine for towing in the 700 - peak torque comes in at a dizzy 4800rpm - the B230E and F at 3000rpm. For an 85 mile journey you should be fine, take it easy and under no circumstances ride the clutch!!

Feb 17th, 2008, 20:25	#8
lostalot New Member Last Online: Aug 7th, 2008 16:04 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: taunton	Hi, I thought I would post a follow up.I collected the 360 today using my 740 as the tow vehicle (using a trailer).Arrived home with no hiccups,the 740 behaved admirably.although I wouldn't want to put her under so much stress to often. Pleased with the 360 as well so a good trip all in all. Thanks again for all those who offered me advice,which I followed to the letter.What can I say except great forum. Paul.

Feb 17th, 2008, 22:44	#9
JIM C Forum Support Team Last Online: Jul 4th, 2021 16:28 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Scotland View Photos By: JIM C	Glad you have managed your tow safely with the 740. Best of luck with the 360. Jim __________________

Feb 17th, 2008, 23:48	#10
CTCNetwork Forum Support Team Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Liège, Belgium View Photos By: CTCNetwork	Hi, Good to hear the tripp and tow went without hiccup. Now you have to post some photos of that 360... Des. . . __________________ Density:- Not just a measurement ~ It's a whole way of Life.! ! ! I drive a Volvo, Please Don't Get In My Way! OldVolvos4Ever He shows up. People die. He vanishes. People should not be afraid of their governments. "He'll deliver more justice in a weekend than 10 years of your Governments should be afraid of their people... "V" courts & tribunals. Just stay out of his way." "I plan to."

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