XC60 snaking when towing - switch to S60? - Page 3

MattBCL · Mar 8th, 2015, 19:25

Hi all

It's been a while so thought I owed you all an update on this. No easy way to say this other than I've admitted defeat on this; too many variables / potential issues added to which the car was getting to be a bit costly (next service was £845!) so after a lot of soul-searching we've traded it in for a new Mini Cooper (sorry!), which, I have to say is absolutely fantastic - but probably not so great at towing a caravan..

Will try towing with the S60, so thanks to the last post re good feedback on the S60 as a towcar. The XC60 was a great car, but it just didn't feel as stable as when we first hooked it up to the caravan a few years ago. Something wasn't quite right.

I tried fitting a TowTrust towbar this weekend to the S60 but that's going back because the instructions state "Remove the rear crash beam and discard (there is no need to refit)". Really!? Will get a proper one fitted at Volvo Lincoln.

Thanks all for your input - but as I say, so many possible fixes and so little time to look into it + mounting costs for the XC60 meant we took a different route.

Thanks, Matt.

Westyman · Mar 8th, 2015, 20:24

I had the same issue with the V70 and gave up in the end and got the XC60; too many variables that interact. The current combination works fine for me. Good luck with the new setup.

calderaman · Mar 8th, 2015, 22:13

Shame that you've had to concede to defeat on this. I find the xc60 to be an exemplary forecast, better than the V70 it replaced.

Had a similar issue with the V70 when I changed the van. Tried everything, tyre pressures, shock absorbers. Eventually took the van tyres to have the balanced checked, To say they were unbalanced was an understatement and once sorted it was 100% better, not one sign of a shake or shimmy.

Hope you tried this before you got rid of what's one of the best tow cars IMHO

Worthingmike · Mar 9th, 2015, 16:16

I also think the XC60 is a great tow car. I regularly travel from Worthing on the south coast to Edinburgh. 460 miles. We always do it in one day with a caravan which weighs 1400Kg. Quit often you don't know it is there, you certainly don't feel it. I don't hang about but keep to the speed limit. Occasionally I can find it has crept up above 60mph but it is very good, even large lorries passing gone make it move. I think it is a better tow car than the Volvo V70, but there is not a lot of difference.

calderaman · Mar 9th, 2015, 17:36

Hi Mike

is there a Worthing thing going on here? Likewise, am also from Worthing, previously had a V70 and my van is also 1400kg. The XC60 is a great tower.

However I tend to do my long tows on the continent, 350+ miles to Basin D'Arcahcon once a year is a typical haul, although this year - June - we're going down to Lake Annecy, a 600 mile door to door trip. At least fuel prices will be in our favour, but am expecting a big toll bill.

Mar 8th, 2015, 20:24	#22
Westyman VOC Member Last Online: Feb 27th, 2023 21:36 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Derby	I had the same issue with the V70 and gave up in the end and got the XC60; too many variables that interact. The current combination works fine for me. Good luck with the new setup. __________________ 2014MY XC60 D5 SE Lux AWD Geartronic hauling a 2011MY Vanmaster Accolade And for more fun: 1972 MG B GT

Mar 9th, 2015, 16:16	#24
Worthingmike Junior Member Last Online: Apr 29th, 2021 14:23 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Worthing	I also think the XC60 is a great tow car. I regularly travel from Worthing on the south coast to Edinburgh. 460 miles. We always do it in one day with a caravan which weighs 1400Kg. Quit often you don't know it is there, you certainly don't feel it. I don't hang about but keep to the speed limit. Occasionally I can find it has crept up above 60mph but it is very good, even large lorries passing gone make it move. I think it is a better tow car than the Volvo V70, but there is not a lot of difference. __________________ 14 (MY15) XC60 D5 215 AWD Geartronic SE Lux

Mar 8th, 2015, 19:25	#21
MattBCL New Member Last Online: Feb 27th, 2023 13:11 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lincs	Hi all It's been a while so thought I owed you all an update on this. No easy way to say this other than I've admitted defeat on this; too many variables / potential issues added to which the car was getting to be a bit costly (next service was £845!) so after a lot of soul-searching we've traded it in for a new Mini Cooper (sorry!), which, I have to say is absolutely fantastic - but probably not so great at towing a caravan.. Will try towing with the S60, so thanks to the last post re good feedback on the S60 as a towcar. The XC60 was a great car, but it just didn't feel as stable as when we first hooked it up to the caravan a few years ago. Something wasn't quite right. I tried fitting a TowTrust towbar this weekend to the S60 but that's going back because the instructions state "Remove the rear crash beam and discard (there is no need to refit)". Really!? Will get a proper one fitted at Volvo Lincoln. Thanks all for your input - but as I say, so many possible fixes and so little time to look into it + mounting costs for the XC60 meant we took a different route. Thanks, Matt.

Mar 8th, 2015, 22:13	#23
calderaman Junior Member Last Online: Apr 16th, 2024 16:50 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: worthing	Shame that you've had to concede to defeat on this. I find the xc60 to be an exemplary forecast, better than the V70 it replaced. Had a similar issue with the V70 when I changed the van. Tried everything, tyre pressures, shock absorbers. Eventually took the van tyres to have the balanced checked, To say they were unbalanced was an understatement and once sorted it was 100% better, not one sign of a shake or shimmy. Hope you tried this before you got rid of what's one of the best tow cars IMHO

Mar 9th, 2015, 17:36	#25
calderaman Junior Member Last Online: Apr 16th, 2024 16:50 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: worthing	Hi Mike is there a Worthing thing going on here? Likewise, am also from Worthing, previously had a V70 and my van is also 1400kg. The XC60 is a great tower. However I tend to do my long tows on the continent, 350+ miles to Basin D'Arcahcon once a year is a typical haul, although this year - June - we're going down to Lake Annecy, a 600 mile door to door trip. At least fuel prices will be in our favour, but am expecting a big toll bill.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)