Towing

Japedo · Post by **Japedo** » 09 Nov 2009, 09:31

Just wanted some reviews from people who regularly tow with their 850. I recently built a hitch for mine and have been toweing a 8 by 10 flatdeck trailer around a bit and it seems to haul nice. The heaviest load ive had on it was a couple of snowmobiles "1000 lbs" the other day, and the car had lots of power for hauling that. Im just a little concerned with weight transfer and it's affect on traction while driving on snow packed rds. But time will tell.
Im probably going to build a hitch for the XC as well but I like the power of the 850 for highway towing.

curtis

FCPEURO · Post by **FCPEURO** » 09 Nov 2009, 09:48

The 850 Turbo is a very capably towing machine. I have seen people tow other Volvos with there 850s, not something I would recommend doing but I have seen it done.

Japedo · Post by **Japedo** » 09 Nov 2009, 10:40

Ya they seem to tow well and even the rear suspension doesn't seem to sag with a well balanced moderate load.
I towed a 91 buick lesabre a few years ago about 60 miles on a tow rope once. lol "illegal don't try at home" but it worked!

All my friends that I ski doo with have brand new full size trucks and I am showing up with a 94 sedan and a trailer lol gotta love it. NOt to mention my ski doo is worth about 4 times the value of the car. hahahaha

curtis

Post by **matthew1** » 09 Nov 2009, 12:19

I don't regularly tow. But I did tow far more than recommended limit, unknowingly, for 1300 miles

.

Read about Pulling a Trailer 1300 Miles with an 850 and my Trailer Towing Followup. The comments on those blog posts are useful also.

Japedo · Post by **Japedo** » 10 Nov 2009, 08:49

Thanks matt, i'll check that out!

Post by **csteer** » 11 Nov 2009, 11:33

The 850 seems to be a great towing vehicle - I have used mine to pull a 18' ski boat out of the lake a few times (to the amusement of the pickup drivers) and never had a problem.

Ceri

Post by **billofdurham** » 11 Nov 2009, 12:20

I have been towing caravans/trailers for 25+ years and have found all of my Volvos to be superb towing vehicles.

I regularly tow my daughter's caravan, weighing in at 1250kgs, with the 850 and never have problems with it. Loading of the caravan/trailer is critical. The weight must be evenly spread with the heaviest weight over the axle.

Bill.

FCPEURO · Post by **FCPEURO** » 11 Nov 2009, 12:21

Japedo wrote:Not to mention my ski doo is worth about 4 times the value of the car. hahahaha

I think this is the story of our lives.

Post by **charlyW** » 11 Nov 2009, 16:01

I tow a 1300kg caravan with my N/A 850 Saloon and have no problem the only problem I have is on a 200mile tow I forget that ive got it sometimes so the speed creeps up. The only problem I can see you may have is if you have a home made towbar it may pay you to get one which is designed for the volvo.