Practicality of Towing

Post by **benpineapple** » 10 Jan 2018, 08:38

Hi all! Been a while since posting, haven't been having any major issues with my V70 haha. Doing a radiator replacement this weekend, have a minor leak (I did one before on a buddy's 99 V70).

So, my wife and I are planning a summer trip. We're thinking about driving out west, camping out of the car, and trailering my motorcycle out there for day trips. My V70 does not have a hitch, but does have the pre-drilled holes. I'm thinking about either buying one new, or being patient at the pick n pull. Any risks of buying a used hitch? Can anyone recommend a solid aftermarket solution that doesn't require much modification?

My V70 is the AWD model, but is FWD (PO deleted rear propeller shaft, I haven't gotten around to replacing). Will it be okay for towing? My bike weighs about 500lbs, and I'm planning on using a friend's single-bike uncovered bike trailer (it's a small trailer). I think I'm mainly concerned about transmission strain, as we'll be towing it roughly 3000 miles.

Thanks!

Post by **abscate** » 10 Jan 2018, 08:45

I tow 500 pound boat/trailer combinations around all summer with my 99 - and your AT will be much better suited for towing than my MT. Dont worry about trans oil coolers and all that crap they try to sell you because you are 'towing'

Three of my lady football defenders add 500# to my car on a trip just like a boat.

A good hitch from Uhaul, Cole, or Draw-tite will run about $100 - hard to imagine the hassle of a PnP is worth it?

Post by **Rattnalle** » 10 Jan 2018, 08:53

I don't know how fast you'll be driving but I'm guessing it'll strain the car less than fast motorway driving without anything towing behind if you don't go at it too hard.

Post by **mecheng** » 10 Jan 2018, 10:53

I would change your auto trans fluid if you haven't recently.

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 10 Jan 2018, 11:06

1998 V70 Trailering
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)3300
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)N/A
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)- TBD -
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)N/A

If you balance the trailer and your V70 is in good mechanical condition, you should have no problems.

Post by **abscate** » 10 Jan 2018, 11:17

If you balance the trailer and your V70 is in good mechanical condition, you should have no problems.

Kudos to Rick for reminding me of this, and you can see how important tongue weight is here:

[youtube][/youtube]

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 10 Jan 2018, 13:07

Kudos to Rick for reminding me of this, and you can see how important tongue weight is here:

The freakiest towing accident I witness. On the interstate a oncoming pickup truck is towing a travel trailer. Looks like his taillights are orange ... what? Starts to pass me, it is the line to his propane tank. Just as he straight across ... KaBlam!.

Punched the entire front of the travel trailer out, blew through all the windows, ignited the entire interior in a second. The guy got pulled over ,unhitched and saved his truck but the travel trailer was toast, good thing nobody was sleeping in the travel trailer.

The way he got it unhitched was quick thinking. Throw the latch, disconnect chains, get back in truck, hit gas, hit brake to pop the hitch, hit gas to get out from under it.

Post by **FlyingVolvo** » 10 Jan 2018, 13:52

I've towed twice with my V70, and another trip coming up soon. I installed an aux ATF cooler in front of the intercooler/radiator, as well as a Magnefine inline filter. While I have no scientific evidence to prove it, I suspect that that combo has enabled my transmission to survive so long under harsh conditions (mountainous towing in summer). I recommend you change out your ATF with Mobil 1 synthetic or equivalent. Don't overload it and you should be fine. I, too, am towing my motorcycle, as well as several bicycles and a car full of crap (moving).

257K miles so far and going strong on original engine/trans.

Post by **wizechatmgr** » 13 Jan 2018, 00:11

If only we could get people to cross their chains and lock everything down... That and get folks that don't realize that not all trailer tires are meant to go ~70 mph to ssssllllooooowwww down.

On my '99 the transmission fluid runs ~89-97c in my case after highway driving at speed and assuming the value reported from VIDA is accurate and not a guestimate like the ABS caliper temps.

The best thing I'd do AT MINIMUM is the more-regular fluid changes and to double check your brakes a bit more often. If either is marginal replace before the trip as it is cheaper to perform preventative maintenance than it is to get emergency service.

With what little weight you plan on towing you will very likely not notice it is even there, other than the continued view of front forks riding your... I know my Ninja was fun to tie down. They sell some straps that go over the end of your bars and have ratchets on them. They work great and you tie the excess around the ratchet so it can't release. Then they have a strap that goes end to end so the cylinders that fit over your grips cannot slide off. I've seen the "fork saver" devices that are basically a clamp that goes between the bottom and top of the fork - haven't tried them but rumor has it they are made for long hauls. Check all your tie downs at every stop you take.

Most importantly -- Enjoy the trip!

Post by **benpineapple** » 17 Jan 2018, 11:51

Thanks everyone for the input! Got a Curt class 2 hitch on the way, and we started booking AirBnBs for the trip.

To address the main concerns mentioned: trans fluid has about 20,000 miles on it. Changed it when I pulled the motor and replaced all trans seals/RMS last winter. @ecbsykes: Got Valvoline full synthetic in it, will switch to Mobil 1. I've been meaning to replace the fluid and the trans filter for some time now. Brakes and suspension are also in decent shape.

Thanks for the video on trailer balancing! Very useful info there.