Newbie - 2007 S80 D5 184 Geartronic - Advice Required

[Holmsie71]

Good morning everyone.

I recently bought the above vehicle to tow a caravan which I am still looking for.

Having looked all over the internet I have received mixed messages about the maximum towing weight for the car. I am now aware of the 90% rule etc but unsure of the maximum weight to tow (not that I would be looking to tow the maximum necessarily).

In the handbook it says 1800kg but that comes out as being far too heavy on towcar.com and I am also thinking along the lines of fuel economy on long trips as well.

For example, does the fact that it is automatic affect the towing weight.

I know this is not an exact science but I would appreciate any advice that is out there.

Cheers.

[DC850]

Originally Posted by Holmsie71

Good morning everyone.

I recently bought the above vehicle to tow a caravan which I am still looking for.

Having looked all over the internet I have received mixed messages about the maximum towing weight for the car. I am now aware of the 90% rule etc but unsure of the maximum weight to tow (not that I would be looking to tow the maximum necessarily).

In the handbook it says 1800kg but that comes out as being far too heavy on towcar.com and I am also thinking along the lines of fuel economy on long trips as well.

For example, does the fact that it is automatic affect the towing weight.

I know this is not an exact science but I would appreciate any advice that is out there.

Cheers.

Hi Holmsie71
Weight limits came be quite difficult to start with.
The 1800Kg is what manufacture says the car can pull, but does not mean safely.
The 90% rule is actually 85% of the kerbweight of the tow car. So look in the handbook and find your kerbweight then use Kerbweight x 0.85 this will give the 85% rule recommendation for new to towing (note 85% is a recommendation not law).
Please beware there are other weight limits to take note of like Noseweight

Being and automatic does not affect the towing limits. It could come in the Manufactures limits but as yours is 1800kg that should not be an issue

[outnumbered]

Take it to a weighbridge
that way you will be in no doubt what it weighs.
my 2007 v70 185 bhp weighs in at 1740 kgs.
mike

[dunernin]

Go to http://www.whattowcar.com/ and you can try all sorts of matching tools

[Steamdrivenandy]

People can get very pernickety about the 85% recommendation, which as has been said is what the industry suggests as a maximum ratio for those new to towing. It is based on the published kerbweight for the car which, if not found elsewhere, is usually shown in the V5. The published kerbweight is rarely the actual kerbweight of a car because manufacturing tolerances of the parts making up the car usually means it weighs more and, of course, you usually have some stuff in the car which adds weight too. So use the published figure in your 85% calculations and be happy in the knowledge that you've erred on the safe side.

[Paul Wildsmith]

I tow a double axle Swift Conqueror with my S80 - its 1600kg I think. Tows very well.