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I am thinking of using a Uhaul trailer (the large one with brakes and class 2 hitch requirement) with my 1998 S70. Has anyone done this? Also what challenges can I expect pulling a trailer with manual transmission? How can I protect my car from destruction?
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Hi Tina'
I pull a 25oo# boat trailer with my '95 855T uasing a Volvo factory class II hitch. The Volvo hitch is more expensive than teh after markets, but there is a world of difference in teh way it attaches and teh way teh weight is distributd to teh load bearing structure of teh car. Something like 16 bolts for teh Volvo hitch versus three for the rest (UHaul, etc) even though they all claim to have the same capacities. As far a tounge weight, I wouldn't dream of putting that up into the 200 plus range regardless of what teh hitch specs say. The car responds instantly to the added weight and it just becomes much more unweidly and heavy feeling. Keep within Volvo's spec for teh tongue weight )160# or so, if I remember). This is based on experience. My current boat on its custom trailer came with a tongue weight of around 300#, and I have had to do a lot of reconfiguring the trailer to get it down, but each reduction was very apparent and helpful. The lower limit is just before you get any sway in the trailer as you drive down a failry smooth raod. I'd worry about pulling any big trailer on snowy roads, but particularly with FWD. The front end is unweighed by teh trailer weight, so has less traction and stability vs RWD where the trailer weight stabilizes things. Bst of luck,
--
Mike Sullivan ('91 745 (184k), '95 855T (70k), '98 V70XC (83k). Past Volvo's: '85 744 (256k), '86 245 (165k), '86 245 (195k), '88 745 (208k), '93 965 (147k) .
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Please ignore the typo's - I have a mending crushed finger that gets in the way.
--
Mike Sullivan ('91 745 (184k), '95 855T (70k), '98 V70XC (83k). Past Volvo's: '85 744 (256k), '86 245 (165k), '86 245 (195k), '88 745 (208k), '93 965 (147k) .
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I have a 94 850 manual wagon that I installed a class 3 hitch on to pull our 2800# pop-up camper. Pretty easy install, although wiring the trailer connector can be interesting.
I would suggest going for class 3 over class 2. Same 3500# trailer weight but 500# tongue weight instead of 350#. Doesn't hurt to have little extra. And both come in models that are not very noticable when not in use and the ball removed.
To get the brakes on the trailer to work (unless they are hydrolic) you'll also need an electric brake controller. If trailing in snow I strongly suggest that your trailer have electric brakes and that you have them working as a trailer has a tendency to push you pretty good or they can easily jack-knife on slippery roads. My other 'car' is a pickup truck I haul our horse trailer with and if not for the ability to activate the trailer's brakes there are a couple times I would have made a real mess on the road. And I thought I WAS driving carefully. But that ice can (and will) sneak up on you.
Don't over drive! On our camper max speed was about 63 mph before we started getting some fishtail effect. And we went into the mountains so had more then a few times dealing with steep hills & manual tranny. First trip was about 100k miles ago so I guess no harm, but expect starting (& stopping) to take extra time. So don't pull out in front of people and leave extra room to stop.
The only real precaution I took was to change the gear oil.
And as said elsewhere - watch the tongue weight. to much weight in rear means front tires have less traction.
Good Luck!
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Hi Tina,
What? Canada getting too cold this time of year? :)
Don't push the weight restriction too far. Your 1st gear/clutch will require you to slip it just a little bit, but no harm. Depending on the steepness of the hills, you may have to go to 3rd - down shift early so that there is no added strain. You could just stay in 3rd all day on the highway, but that eats lots of gasoline.
If you are going Class 2, ensure the tongue weight isn't too great. And give yourself plenty of room to stop. When you get the trailer, take it for a short test drive to make sure the brakes don't lock up on the trailer. Use you left foot on the brake pedal, without moving your right foot, just enough to turn the on brake lights and feel the trailer trying to slow you down.
Remember, when you back up, turn the opposite direction you want the trailer to go :)
Have fun,
Klaus
PS I really don't need that many presents for Christmas that you have to rent a trailer!
--
(1975 164, 1995 854T, 1998 V70R)
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> "What? Canada getting too cold this time of year? :)"
YES! It has been 5 years since Canadian winter. Actually it is the dark more than the cold, it has been snowing/overcast here for over 3 weeks with no sun. Summer and fall were gorgeous though!
But we MAY be moving back to California - not due to cold but work reasons, long story...
I don't want to spend as much moving this time (if we go) and the big Uhaul trailer is only $440 to rent one way, but I don't want to ruin our car or get in a wreck in the process.
No we don't have snow tires, both of us work at home right now so we only need to drive the car to go visiting, and we wait until the roads are clear. I really don't want to buy any if we are going back to CA. I know they make a huge difference we used to have them on our 240 and that thing could drive through snow drifts. I imagine if we move in January through the midwest there would be some horrendous snow and high winds, and there are mountains to contend with.
I have driven a truck pulling a horse trailer many times, but not in the snow and I think that would be a very different feeling than a much lighter FWD car and a lighter trailer.
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The longer route to San Jose from Toronto is to St. Louis, or Memphis, and on I40 all the way to CA. Going south of the mountain ranges would cost an extra day or so, but should be less snow and more sun. Detroit, I75, I70, I55 or I44, I40 to I5.
Bummer, Toronto is so nice. Except winter is cloudy and humid. We get more sun, but it is colder up north in Minneapolis. My garage needs heat!
Merry Christmas to both of you,
Klaus
--
(V♂LV♂s 1975 164, 1995 854T, 1998 V70R)
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Well, funny thing...I posted my response and then went and had some dinner...back now, then I read what you wrote. We don't use a trailer, but do have a roof-top carrier and my wife just asked me to make sure it was ready when we go to her parents' for Christmas...I wasn't expecting that many presents either...but I guess it's better to be too prepared. (this is for our '04 V70...the "family car.")
--
1998 S70 T5 Emarald Green Metallic, 2004 V70 2.5T Ruby Red, Previous Owner of Black '94 850 Turbo Wagon. My cars have been running so well lately they've got me worried.
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Check your owners' manual...it has all the specs for the tongue weight, etc. for pulling a something. Won't hurt it but be religious about oil changes, etc. once you start. http://apps.volvocars.us/ownersdocs/1998/1998_SV70/98sv70_000.htm#contents
Regards,
MIJ
--
1998 S70 T5 Emarald Green Metallic, 2004 V70 2.5T Ruby Red, Previous Owner of Black '94 850 Turbo Wagon. My cars have been running so well lately they've got me worried.
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I know the car can technically handle it., but I meant more things like how bad will it be shifting going up steep hills with a trailer, etc - how scary will it be, or will I even notice it? Especially in the snow?
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The maximum recommended towing weight is 3300 lbs (1500 kg), or 1600 kg (3500 lbs) in Europe. (Depends on whose lawyers are providing the advice, I guess.)
A class II hitch is rated for 3500 lbs.
Your biggest concern will be loading the trailer properly. The heaviest stuff must go over the axle at the floor level. Too much weight in the rear will leading to surging and sway. Too much in the front will take too much weight off the front tires of the car and lead to instability. Either one will create plenty of anxiety. Get it right, and you will hardly notice the trailer.
The lower the gear, the better the hill climbing. Don't worry, though. You've got plenty of torque available. You might find yourself using third gear to climb steeper highway hills. If you're climbing mountains, you might need second. On level ground, you should have enough horsepower available to use 5th if you want to, but 4th will work better with less strain on the engine.
Snow is definitely a complicating factor, particularly if the nose of the car is unweighted. Do you have snow tires?
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