Towing with an S60

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 25 Feb 2017, 18:08

My son is wanting to visit his grand-dad in a couple of weeks and drive back (over the NC mountains into TN where we live via interstate) a 350 lb or so (not a large) trailer loaded with a riding mower and a few other things for lawn work as he and his buddy have started a landscaping business. To do this, he would have to attach a tow hook to his '07 2.5T S60. Any suggestions as to what to get, what to avoid, etc. I have looked at a few of these that bolt on to the frame on eBay and elsewhere but truly we are lost on what to do. Any advise from those who have done just this would be helpful. I'd say that once the move takes place, he'll most likely keep the hitch on the car so he can town this trailer elsewhere around town as needed although this won't be something he does with his car all the time.

c70_lindsay · Post by **c70_lindsay** » 25 Feb 2017, 19:07

If you are unsure, you're best bet is to buy one from reputable manufacturer like reese. Make sure it is a straight bolt up with out a need to drill holes, unless you're comfortable with drilling the holes. I believe you can get hitches that just bolt in for most cars which would be a simple straight forward job and the hitches come with instructions. Or you could just go to an accesories shop. I used to work at a shop that sold and installed pick up truck accesories. And although it specilized in truck accesories we could still order and install a hitch from a company like reese on any car our suppliers made hitches for. Our hitches were more expensive then it would be to by them online but on a lot of things like that we had free install cause we could put them in in under half an hour.

Post by **chrism** » 25 Feb 2017, 23:28

Does the trailer have to have lights? If so, that where it can get complicated. You can't just tie the trailer wiring into the car's tail light wiring like we used to do in the good ol' days. From what I've read the Volvo trailer wiring kit is about the only thing that works right.

Post by **abscate** » 25 Feb 2017, 23:43

Check out Uhaul for a hitch too, usually very competitive

Post by **oragex** » 26 Feb 2017, 09:05

No issue with towing, Europe guys tow caravans with these same cars. If towing for long time, some fresh transmission oil isn't a bad idea, especially given the mountain ride.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 26 Feb 2017, 18:06

Thanks for the info! Yeah would be good to have lights. I know daytime some places it doesn't matter but interstate travel- best to have them. I believe the trailer had them anyway. Anyone know where to get the Volvo light kit? How about Reese - any other teputables? Uhaul I know but we'd like to buy and not rent

Post by **matthew1** » 26 Feb 2017, 18:24

Uhaul installs hitches and wiring - the whole enchilada. It's yours... not a rental.

There is no obligation or expectation to rent a trailer unless you need to rent a trailer.

I took my 850 there 10 years ago, and I think it was $250 or $350 for the whole thing. Not including the trailer - trailer rental was a separate transaction.

Post by **matthew1** » 26 Feb 2017, 18:32

I found the post: Pulling a trailer 1300 miles

The hitch and wiring was $325.

Post by **vtl** » 27 Feb 2017, 08:35

I managed to boil coolant in my XC70 in scenic route in Vermont hills. Transmission will often run with torque converter unlocked, ATF will heat up and it won't be cooled enough by boiling coolant. I'd say, external ATF cooler is a must have for hill driving/towing.

Post by **abscate** » 28 Feb 2017, 05:06

A 350# load, or 500# total trailer won't overheat a Volvo in good running order. If you had a real steep long up,grade you might idle at top for 5-10 minutes