Uhaul Trailer Tow with V70?

[Bonsuego]

Hey everyone! I drive a 2001 Volvo v70 and I'm wondering if that's a suitable vehicle for towing one of those small uhaul trailers. If so, what do I need to do to prepare my vehicle for that? Do I need to install a trailer hitch, and how can I do that cheaply?

Thanks in advance!

[bwinkler]

G'day,

You'll be fine towing a small trailer. You'd be fine towing a large trailer and if you have a turbo, you'll be fine towing a car trailer with a car on it.

As long as your car is in good repair and isn't due for a service yesterday you'll be fine.

I can't help but take the piss here - but yes, you will need a tow bar to tow a trailer and if you don't have one, you'll need to get one.

Your options for getting a tow bar are:
- buy one second hand from a volvo mechanic
- buy one new (and get a bank loan) from the dealer
- buy one from a third party one like uHaul but do some googling and see what their reputation is like

Apart from the hardware of the actual tow ball, you'll also need to have the cabling and plugs for the electrics and you may have to update the computer to tell it that it now has a towbar as it does change the shifting patterns. I don't know what comes standard, you may have the cabling or not. If not, someone has to install it so expect to spend some money.

Or, you can just borrow a car with a tow ball

[abscate]

Bonsuego,

I put the Volvo factory class III hitch on my V70T5 about 9 years ago. It's a real nice looking piece of kit, but was expensive. It did require removing the rear bumper cover to install, but the hitch "disappears" under the car. This was important as it is the SWMBO cr. I tow a variety of small boats and lads up to about 2000 pounds with it.

UHaul seems to be recommended by everyone here in NY for aftermarket.

[auburneduprof]

I tow a small sailboat with my v70. Like it isn't even there. I bought a hidden hitch which looks great for $155. shipped from onlinehitches.com
cq7457 Hidden Hitches and Accessories 2002 Volvo V70 Wagon Class II (9xxxx Series) - Round Tube 90804 $155.00 1 $155.00

I looked at wiring options and although you can get a wiring kit for this car for $35-$50 dollars that is generic, I bought the OEM Volvo light adapter for $109. from ipd. Took less than five minutes to install and comes with the grommets correct for my car- literally plug and play.

Hope this helps,
Dan

[precopster]

A U Haul can get pretty heavy depending on what it's loaded with.

Clean trans fluid is a must for heavy trailers and if towing during summer a trans cooler with greater BTU rating than the factory "brass stick" in the radiator will help keep the fluid from burning.

B & M make great coolers.