Towing with a 2000 V70 T5 Geartronic

[Whorlton]

This is my 1st post here and any advice/observations would be gratefully appreciated about the merits or otherwise of towing a caravan with a V70 T5 Geartronic I'm considering buying as a replacement for my trusted 740GLE, now 20 yrs. old. Generally only tow 2 ot 3 times a year but have heard the T5, despite it's power, is not up to the job.

Towing is not the main purchase criteria but will be necessary from time to time.

I am no motor expert but just enjoy driving.

All comments much appreciated.

Whorlton

[pdr944]

hi,

i would have thought the v70t5 would have been more than capable of the job.i,v towed with 850 saloons as well as estates and also v70 estates and all have been brilliant either manual or auto.one of my best towcars was a 740gl saloon.kept that one for nine years.the v70t5 will be more powerful than all of these mentioned so i would be very surprised if it dident perform well.your not towing a low loader with it are you or going up everest LOL.as regards geartronic boxes my present towcar has one and its no bother at all in fact i never use the geartronic side just the normal auto.

regards peter.

[Whorlton]

Thanks for those observations Peter.

Sometimes difficult for a non-techie to make sense of the varying advice from those with greater knowledge. I have been told the power curve!!! of the T5 can make towing a chore but, as you say, it no doubt depends on what you are towing.

I've driven and towed for the last 16 yrs with manual Volvo 740s, which have been completely trouble free - 300,000 miles from one and 200,000 from the other. Physical difficulties now mean that an automatic makes more sense and I fancy a step back in time and something a little more exciting to drive whilst providing space and towing capability. Don't do enough mileage to warrant a D.

Whorlton

[outnumbered]

Originally Posted by Whorlton

This is my 1st post here and any advice/observations would be gratefully appreciated about the merits or otherwise of towing a caravan with a V70 T5 Geartronic I'm considering buying as a replacement for my trusted 740GLE, now 20 yrs. old. Generally only tow 2 ot 3 times a year but have heard the T5, despite it's power, is not up to the job.

Towing is not the main purchase criteria but will be necessary from time to time.

I am no motor expert but just enjoy driving.

All comments much appreciated.

Whorlton

hi
as per my sig i tow with a T5 although just the normall 4 speed auto box the T5 is very capable of pulling up to its kerbweight without any issues , the only down side i get an avereage of 17mpg when towing .
mike

[Penguinistics]

It's not the power curve that's the problem, it's the torque curve. Whilst the peak torque is fine, for some reason the T5 engine "doesn't do torque" below 2500rpm which is a high threshold when compared to other engines (perhaps this is a large turbo related issue - perhaps below the boost threshold the turbo creates a back pressure on the exhaust?). For example a 2.5t or a D5 engine's torque curve starts picking up from 1500rpm.

Have a look at the torque curves on:

http://www.rica-uk.com

I know this is a re-map site, but if you look up the V70 T5 and compare the torque curve to others.....

[outnumbered]

Originally Posted by Penguinistics

It's not the power curve that's the problem, it's the torque curve. Whilst the peak torque is fine, for some reason the T5 engine "doesn't do torque" below 2500rpm which is a high threshold when compared to other engines (perhaps this is a large turbo related issue - perhaps below the boost threshold the turbo creates a back pressure on the exhaust?). For example a 2.5t or a D5 engine's torque curve starts picking up from 1500rpm.

Have a look at the torque curves on:

http://www.rica-uk.com

I know this is a re-map site, but if you look up the V70 T5 and compare the torque curve to others.....

good point and agree with you,i had a 850 tdi with a digi tune box on and must admit a lot better tow car but i can still pull the van without any loss of power and still have the fun solo with the t5.choice between the 2 T5
mike

[Penguinistics]

....couple a high "torque threshold" with an autogearbox that generally keeps the revs below 2500rpm without kickdown (it would seem counter intuitive to have to floor it when starting off in a caravan) you're going to have a problem. That's where the Geartronic gearbox might be different though as you should be able to play with the gears to maintain the revs just like you would in a manual (well without feathering the clutch of course). A Geartronic T5 may be just fine for towing as long as you can do this.

[Whorlton]

Originally Posted by Penguinistics

....couple a high "torque threshold" with an autogearbox that generally keeps the revs below 2500rpm without kickdown (it would seem counter intuitive to have to floor it when starting off in a caravan) you're going to have a problem. That's where the Geartronic gearbox might be different though as you should be able to play with the gears to maintain the revs just like you would in a manual (well without feathering the clutch of course). A Geartronic T5 may be just fine for towing as long as you can do this.

I am most grateful for your observations - I also have the option of a V70T SE which might, acording to what I can figure out, produce a better torque arrangement for towing.

Talking to the guy who is selling the T5, and pulls a much heavier load than what I propose, he seems to do as you say and use the manual aspect of the Geartronic box.

Just going to have to resolve what compromise I should make.