Towing with an S80

[vanbeck1]

The maximum weight you quote of 1530 kg is a bit on the heavy side for the S80. It is not illegal, but you may find hills are a bit of an issue. However, you do not state what type of S80 you have, if a diesel then you should be fine. If a petrol then don't expect to get to 5th gear with the van on the back. Most S80's actually weigh around 1600 kg when put on the weighbridge which is a bit more than the books state.

I would suggest if you have the cash then to splash out on the selflevelling suspension as this does make a heck of a difference. The detacheable towbar also looks nice but Witter also do a good one significantly cheaper.

[pete.b]

Hi, It may be of interest to some members on here, I will post a link to a caravan forum that I am a joint administrator of. There is a wealth of information on there. Take a look and hope it helps.

Regards
Pete

http://www.caravantalk.org.uk/

[Paul240480]

First time I've peeked at this particular forum. Must say I agree totally with the loading points.
My first van was a Fleetwood Garland 165/5. I towed it with my old 250 Tors, which coped very well.
Then upgraded to a T5 which was a great tower.
With the Garland, to get my noseweight upto the 75Kg reccomended I had to slide my awning forward of the axle a smidge.
A few years later I chopped the Garland for a Swift 490SE Lux. When I went to collect I kept the awning in the Garland as 'ballast', and stupidly plonked it in the same position, in front of the axle in the Swift for the return. Only once home did I check the noseweight, it was 100kg! 25kg over the cars max & 15 over the vans! (The chaps at the van dealership did'nt say anything)
Thankfully the trip was only about 10 miles and did not appear to have broken anything.
After that I checked it every time.
Just goes to show how easy it can be to get it wrong.