Anyone tow with a C70?

[andy72]

Bought it as a 2nd car, 2.4T auto on an X plate.

Our caravan is very light at 1050max and i currently tow with an Audi A3 1.6 Petrol. It does struggle on hills but gets us there and back.

How will the C70 cope? i know it will be better as its almost twice as powerful and a bit heavier but im suprised at how light they are. The data i found is 1435 kerbwieght giving 1270kg at 85%.

This gives us scope to upgrade to heavier van in future but suprised at the figures.

I see some huge vans being towed by much smaller cars like mondeos etc

[Nig]

I remember the first time i seen a c70 was up your neck of the woods on the roundabout heading to south shields, a gold one and thinking what a good looking motor and years later seeing one on a tv show towing a caravan, fifth gear or something,

not much info on here but it has been done

http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=52021

[Nig]

http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=78809

[flaggy]

hi i used to tow with a 2.0 coupe w reg. it coped fine. have just fitted a tow bar to our 2.0 03 convertible but have,nt been away with van yet.van is only 1000 kg, would,nt fancy much more than 1400kg, with a 2.0. steve.

[M D E]

I agree with Steve, I tow with my C70 Cabro which tows perfectly ... Hardly notice its pulling but would not like to tow above 1450 even though the car would pull it ...

[C70Carnut]

I've just found this forum as I've just fitted a volvo genuine towbar to my C70 convertible automatic (won't mention the cost). I've never towed before and am confused. So is the concensus that the max is 1600kg with brakes? What is the maximum towball weight? I can't find this info anywhere.

[C70Carnut]

Unfortunately, A1-towing place never got back to me. I have found out from RACQ technical help that it will tow up to 1600kg, but the maximum weight on the towball is 75kg which is pretty restricting.

[david_940]

Hi, if you have a look on autotrader for a c70 with the same engine etc as yours, then go to the technical data tab it will show you the dimensions/weight of your car. You need the bottom weight (can't rember the name of the field). You should only tow a trailer/caravan which is upto 85% of the cars weight and that weight should be less than the max towing weight you will see on autotrader. The 75kg is the hitch weight, is the max load for the hitch, you can buy a weighing device to make sure the weight is not exceeded. This usually happens is the van is not loaded correctly.
Clear as mud? Hope this helps.

[andy72]

Originally Posted by david_940

Hi, if you have a look on autotrader for a c70 with the same engine etc as yours, then go to the technical data tab it will show you the dimensions/weight of your car. You need the bottom weight (can't rember the name of the field). You should only tow a trailer/caravan which is upto 85% of the cars weight and that weight should be less than the max towing weight you will see on autotrader. The 75kg is the hitch weight, is the max load for the hitch, you can buy a weighing device to make sure the weight is not exceeded. This usually happens is the van is not loaded correctly.
Clear as mud? Hope this helps.

lol, to make that clearer, what he is saying is although Volvo (and all car makers) state a max weight both braked and ubraked that can be towed with your car, you need to find the 'kerbweight' of your car. There is lots of sites that list it, just google. Then for an ideal tow match your carvan should not weigh more than 85 % of the cars kerbweight.

Its not illegal to go over 85%, just an old rule that people seem to feel works. The legal figure (among others) is the max tow wieght.

Re the 75Kg. This is pretty normal. Some cars like peugots have as little as 50kg, some have higher like a discovery at 90kg. This is the wieght that can be safely applied to the tow bar hitch.

When loading up your caravan, either by a nosewieght gauge or use a set of bathroom scales under the jockey wheel (not as accurate). Then when loading up, make sure the nose doesnt put more than 75kg on the tow hitch.

Its quite easy to achieve on most caravans so dont worry too much.

[C70Carnut]

Thanks for the explanation. I'm going to a caravan show tomorrow so it's very timely.