Hello Everyone,

I own a Volvo V70 2000, 168hp, 5 speed automatic transmission. From the manual they say that the max capacity of towing is 3300 lbs and as I am new to
caravaning, I would like to know if some people use their V70 for camping.
Strangely, Volvo mention 3300 lbs whatever the engine is in the V70. I would
beleive that if you have a stronger engine that would help a lot...

Looking at the kind of campers I could buy there are folding campers and
those that we don't fold, or where only some beds could be closed. Sorry if I
don't have the proper names for them.

In the first case, the weight approx 2000 lbs (ex:
http://www.palominorv.com/fc.shtml) and I don't think there would be any
problem for the V70 to pull them specially that since the camper is closed
there will be less effect from the wind.

In the second case, meanwhile, there is a model
(http://65.108.137.205/st.shtml, http://65.108.137.205/s17.shtml) where the
caravan weight about 2300 lbs. But as this one will not fold, will the V70
strong enough to pull it?

We have 3 kids (5 in the familly) and as I am new to caravaning I would
like to know if some V70 users are using their V70 to do camping with a
caravan and what would be their suggestions/experience that could help me
choose an adequate caravan for my V70...

thanks,

- Pierre

Towing capacity has more to do with a vehicles weight and braking capability, and lastly the transmission, than the engine.

We tow a 2000 pound Coleman pop-up in the mountains at high altitude (8000 - 1000 feet) with our 99 XC with no problems...the trailer does have electric brakes.

I don't believe the load leveler is neccessary either (though it might be nice to have), as no matter how heavy the entire trailer is, you are limited to 200 pounds (I think) tongue weight...trailers are balanced on their axles so as to keep the tongue weight reasonable (though you always want SOME positive weight).

Just a little note, althought I doubt it would change anything to the discussion, the 2000 model here in Canada is actually equivalent to the 99 US model. It is in 2001 that we got the new v70 model here in Canada.

But as far as I remember, the same engine is part of the 2000-2001 V70.

Thanks,

- Pierre

Got a 2001 V70 2.4t, spec is 3300lbs towing. I don't think it has as much to do with power of the engine as weight of the tow vehicle(due to trailer pushing car while braking). You will notice that as vehicle weight goes down on different vehicles they spec electric brakes at lower trailer weights. Volvo recommends brakes on the trailer. Also keep in mind that the spec of the trailer is dry weight without options, a 2000 lbs trailer with awning, gas bottles, battery ect can be more like 2300lbs. Add clothes, food, water ect, you may well be near 3000lbs. Now to answer your question, I tow a coleman folding trailer with a dry weight of 2000lbs and electric brakes with no problems, I do however use load levelers and sway bars. I believe you will need as a minimum load levelers or the rear end of the car with three kids and gear will be dragging on the ground. Hope this helps.

I just past by the shop where they do install itch (I deceided not to install Volvo one's) and the guy make me realised that althought the V70 can town up to 3300 lbs the max weight on the itch as recommanded by Volvo is only 165 lbs. For him this make no sense as usually the max weight on the itch is normally 10% of max recommmand weigh, which would be close to 300lbs here.

I called my Volvo dealer and talked to someone at services/pieces and he told me that for him the 165 lbs make no sense since the Volvo is build very strong. He told me not to worry about it and recommanded, as you did, to add some load levele. Meanwhile to add load leveler they have to "custom" the itch since the model that fit the Volvo doesn't support the necessary to have load leveler...

Do you have more than 165lbs on your itch with your Coleman folding trailer?

thanks,

- Pierre

Thanks to both of you.

I have shopped a little regarding the hitch (and the folding trailer too!!) and when I called my Volvo dealer he told me that the hitch from Volvo doesn't have a swing bar and recommanded me to go to a place specialised in hitch in the Montreal area. When I called there I found them to be much less expensive...

A friend of mine recommanded me to try without any swing bar since its necessity might differ from one trailer to another one.

Still have to make a choice on those folding camper... I saw the Coachman Clipper and it was one of my favorite. Seems to be a good one. I will try to see where is the closest dealer...

thanks,

- Pierre