Towing with a D5 (163bhp) XC90

[Gazzaa]

Hi all,

I'm still deliberating about re-mapping my 2005 D5 XC90 (163bhp). I'm currently towing a 1600 Kg Caravan and find the car a under powered on even slight hills. There’s no excessive black smoke and the car seems ok when not towing.

Don't get me wrong I know it’s a heavy car and I'm not expecting sports car performance. I'm hoping a re-map will significantly improve torque!?!?!

I've trawled through loads of threads about re-mapping, but to satisfy my curiosity,
How many of you are towing with a D5 XC90?
How many of you have had the car re-mapped?
Which re-map did you go for? (MTE, BSR, Shark, Other?)
Did the re-map improve the car enough to justify the cost?

Cheers for now
Gazza

[outnumbered]

Hi Gazza.
albeit mine is the v70 same engine and a tad lighter, mine befor it was mapped would struggle just a bit setting off with 1700 kg on the back and i would suspect yours more so,
yes i would map it, it will bring in the boost early and the lag effect will go.which to go for
Mte or Shark having tried and tested both they are as good as each other on these cars,
me i would go with Shark the reason being they are local and you see what you get, with Mte you do it yourself with a Iso loader.
the above is my experiance on this subject.
yes it did justify the cost before i could hardly drive in top gear with the Map on its in top gear most of the time
mike

[Ian H]

I don't know whether this helps, but we have a newer XC90 which is 200bhp and we have no trouble towing the caravan (1500kg) at all. It might drop down a geat on a steep hill, but never feels like it's straining and can hold it's speed no trouble.

In fact, it's the best tow car we've ever had, and that includes a Toyota Landcruiser and Jeep Grand Cherokee.

[wilbur6669]

I tow a 1550kg (when loaded) van with my 2004 165bhp and I can confirm that hills kill me.

Especially when we get off the M5 at jct 27 heading to Barnstaple, some of those early, rolling North Devon hills, reduce me to second gear by the time I am near the Apex. I even have other vans overtaking me.
The previous car was a VW Sharan (115bhp) and that went up the hills with ease. Just shows how the weight of the car is it biggest downfall.
However the VW was buffeted so much by ovetaking trucks/coaches that I gripped the steering wheel until my knucles were white, whereas the XC90 does not budge - I prefer to suffer on the hills than go back to that buffeting again.

I have considered the remap, but does it come with a risk to reliability, turbo, gearbox, haldak coupling etc?

[GJB]

I have owned both with a 04 163 and now with a 10 200 and the difference is very noticeable I have also used a 163 with a box from dtuk which was an improvement over original 163.

[Garethru]

Hi; I have recently purchased a 2010 185bhp manual xc90, first towing experience with 1700 TA at easter was excellent. Previous car was a 140bhp smax, it was ok but you could easily tell the difference.

The xc90 was at ease and frequently in 6th gear, only dropping to 5th on some hills and rarely to 4th, car was fully laden with 6 people and luggage so full train was near towards to max values.

Power from the xc90 on start off was excellent, and easily / quickly got up to speed to join with the flow of traffic.

Would recommend this to anybody, but I was expecting to notice a difference because this is the first large 4x4 I have towed with.

[volvocamper]

Originally Posted by Garethru

Hi; I have recently purchased a 2010 185bhp manual xc90, first towing experience with 1700 TA at easter was excellent. Previous car was a 140bhp smax, it was ok but you could easily tell the difference.

The xc90 was at ease and frequently in 6th gear, only dropping to 5th on some hills and rarely to 4th, car was fully laden with 6 people and luggage so full train was near towards to max values.

Power from the xc90 on start off was excellent, and easily / quickly got up to speed to join with the flow of traffic.

Would recommend this to anybody, but I was expecting to notice a difference because this is the first large 4x4 I have towed with.

Similar experience for us as Gareth describes with Geartronic, MY2010 185 R-Design Geartronic pulls 1850kg MTPLM TA caravan with 4 in car no probs at all. Am amazed how quickly its into 6th and only drops to 5th on steepish inclines. MPG approx 34 solo / 24 towing this large van. Due for change in Dec and think I may go for a new Toureg tho. as XC90 is old design and no sign of new one until next year and will have next car for 4 years.

[Shadeyman]

I have a 2004 XC90 SE(163) and I plan to tow a caravan later this year once the prices of them drop a little. I suspect the car is already remapped due to how easily it already pulls a 750kg trailer with a 5 door diesel Fiat Stilo onboard so I'm expecting no problems towing a caravan. I plan to purchase a twin axle, mainly because I like the idea of having 2 wheels either side in case of a puncture. A friend of mine tows his caravan with a Jag estate and uses a "Stabaliser", are they necessary?

[rnlisg]

i have had a number of "twins",all gave excellent stability,but now have a single axle bailey pegasus verona,i have had tyron safety bands fitted,these will not let the tyre off the wheel and give you good control and should allow you to stop safely.ref stabilizers,most vans from around 2005/6 will have either an alko system fitted as std or in the case of the explorer group,a german winterhoff unit,these are both excellent aids to stability,but you still need to load sensibly, and dont get any grease etc on the ball.
cheers
sandy

[GJB]

Originally Posted by Shadeyman

I have a 2004 XC90 SE(163) and I plan to tow a caravan later this year once the prices of them drop a little. I suspect the car is already remapped due to how easily it already pulls a 750kg trailer with a 5 door diesel Fiat Stilo onboard so I'm expecting no problems towing a caravan. I plan to purchase a twin axle, mainly because I like the idea of having 2 wheels either side in case of a puncture. A friend of mine tows his caravan with a Jag estate and uses a "Stabaliser", are they necessary?

Get an ALKO built in to head of caravan tow hitch saves any problems separate stabalizers are never as good. Keep the nose weight correct and you are on a winner.