850 Towing capacity? U-Haul

Post by **Red-Arrow** » 03 Apr 2011, 23:35

Guys what is the maximum safe towing capacity of the 850 Wagon? and kind of tow bar and hitch should I get as I've never been a tower

I'll be leaving LA and moving to Houston in June so I have to transport all my books, which equal maybe 800Ibs and all my wife's shoes, clothes and nick nacks which probably equal another 800Ibs so I estimate I'll be loading 2000Ibs into a U-Haul trailer.

Also what is the deal with the brake lights once the trailer is on, does the 850 have a socket ready and waiting?

instarx · Post by **instarx** » 04 Apr 2011, 02:49

For the V70 which is probably the same:

Trailers without brakes: 1,100 lbs
Trailers with brakes: 3,300 with a 2" ball, and 2,000 with a 1 7/8 inch ball.
Tongue weight varies between 110 and 265 lbs depending on the hitch class and trailer weight.

Trailer lights are usually hooked up to the car's tail lights. There is no pre-installed wiring on my car although there is a place for a connector. Trailer brakes are also hooked up to the car's brake lights. Don't forget the weight of the trailer has to be included in total weight.

I think it would be better to rent a truck and tow the car. Or buy a used truck and sell it when you get to Houston, essentially getting it for free for the move. I did that when I moved from NY to NC and saved a ton of money, but I had a lot more to move than you.

Post by **jblackburn** » 04 Apr 2011, 09:13

Does U-haul rent trailers with integrated brakes? The small trailer weighs 900 lbs itself; the double axle must be over 1000.

I towed a one-axle trailer with a Jeep Liberty a few years ago, which is actually a great small tow vehicle. Loaded down with 2000 lbs in the 900 lb trailer It didn't even sit down that much in the back of the car - something I'm sure the 850/V/S70 would do if it had a load on the back.

I want to do the same with my Volvo in the next year or so - I think the T5 has the torque for it, but it doesn't have the brakes or high suspension the Jeep did.

You will want a Class-II hitch that goes up under the rear bumper. U-haul also installs them and does the wiring.

betawave · Post by **betawave** » 04 Apr 2011, 12:27

I just towed like two ago actually a Uhaul 5x8 packed to the brim with all my earthly possessions using my 96 850 non turbo sedan with a manual tranny. No overheating, but I made sure I had a new water pump and good brakes/shocks before the move!

It was wheezing at 8K feet up in WI but on flat terrain it was no problem.

I have a class II Drawtite hitch rated at 3500 lbs. The 850 should have holes on the underside of the rear bumper where you can install a hitch. Mine installed with no drilling what so ever.

Beware of the Uhaul wiring installs for trailer brake lights. I had the actual box short out and finally collecting my $$ from the faulty unit. I just had the bad luck of having a faulty one installed. The actually wiring Uhaul did was perfect.

Good luck on your move!

Post by **Red-Arrow** » 04 Apr 2011, 16:48

betawave wrote:I just towed like two ago actually a Uhaul 5x8 packed to the brim with all my earthly possessions using my 96 850 non turbo sedan with a manual tranny. No overheating,

I have a class II Drawtite hitch rated at 3500 lbs. The 850 should have holes on the underside of the rear bumper where you can install a hitch. Mine installed with no drilling what so ever.

Good luck on your move!

I replaced the water pump just a few months ago when I did the timing belt. I'm glad to here you had no problems with a 5x8 packed to the roof as that is what I'll have to do. I hope the turbo holds up if I reach altitude but I'll take it easy.

instarx wrote:For the V70 which is probably the same:

Trailers without brakes: 1,100 lbs
Trailers with brakes: 3,300 with a 2" ball, and 2,000 with a 1 7/8 inch ball.
Tongue weight varies between 110 and 265 lbs depending on the hitch class and trailer weight.

I think it would be better to rent a truck and tow the car. Or buy a used truck and sell it when you get to Houston, essentially getting it for free for the move. I did that when I moved from NY to NC and saved a ton of money, but I had a lot more to move than you.

Rented a Truck is over $1000 and buying a truck is not an option right now. renting a trailer is like $139 to $189.

I don't think the trailer has brakes so I guess your saying the safe limit is around 1,100 Ibs, I think the trailer is around that weight on its own? That is a problem but I'll have to deal with it.

Is there any brand of tow hitch I should buy? I know it has to bolt to the underside behind the rear bumper. I've a seen a few for $140 on Ebay and another $40 for a wiring kit. I was thinking I could just buy 4 strips of LEDS and making my own brake light set up.

I was looking at this hitch, I just need a ball and wiring kit. Not sure if I'm allowed to much my own.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/850-C70- ... 20b6fc5830

heat391 · Post by **heat391** » 04 Apr 2011, 17:30

Have you checked into a POD, or other storage container?

We used them when we escaped from South FL.... turned out to be cheaper than renting a truck, less hassle/expensive than renting a trailer one-way....

Post by **Red-Arrow** » 04 Apr 2011, 23:14

Yeah $1900 for a pod and $1300 for a U-Pack box, the trailer is very cheap in comparison. I don't mind having to work a bit harder to save $1000 bucks.

The Hitch is going to cost $140, ball hitch $10, wiring kit $20 and the trailer cost is $138 so around $308 which seems reasonable to me. I don't want to stress the engine or gearbox so I will be doing 60mph the whole way. I don't think I'll need a trans cooler as I believe I will be pulling around 2500 if the trailer is say 500ibs?

I just need to find out if going to Texas is down hill or up hill. I really don't like the idea of pulling what is almost a car up miles of incline.

Post by **Red-Arrow** » 05 Apr 2011, 17:34

Guys is the V70 hitch the same as the 850 hitch? I found one with a wiring kit for only $30 more.

Post by **jblackburn** » 05 Apr 2011, 17:43

Should be identical unless it was designed for a 2001 or newer V70. The underpinnings of a 98-2000 are exactly the same as an 850.

VolvoTurbo850 · Post by **VolvoTurbo850** » 05 Apr 2011, 17:55

agree with above and they are the same.

I found the Uhaul site pretty informative and they will tell you the type of hitch you need and the maximum tow. They even sell the kits for the wiring. IT may be worthwhile to have a conversation with them in person to get information about what you are trying to accomplish.

They also install them. The V70 I have has one of theirs installed by the the previous owner, the type who i believe is made by a name brand manufacturer.

Have you thought of getting one of those roof mount boxes for the top of the car itself to help transport the wife's shoes?