Following up on Towing a Trailer with an 850 and Towing a Trailer with an 850 part II blog post, I’d like to add that I had my total weight calculated at a truck weigh station, and it was well over what Volvo recommends for the towing limit. I’m embarrassed to relate this, being a somewhat careful Volvo owner, but it’s a good “heads up” for all you trailer novices out there that are thinking about Volvo 850 trailer towing.
The trailer can and will fill up quickly, and without experience at estimating furniture weight, you’ll go over recommended weight limits quickly and without knowing it.ww
When you’re renting a trailer, look it over before accepting it. The lot guy tried to give me a trailer with retreaded tires that had big chunks missing from the tread. No thanks. I asked for another one.
I paid around $275 (turned out to be less than the shop said) for my hitch, installation included, and it was done by pros. I don’t know if this is a good or bad price, but having it done by a shop that does these every day took one variable out of the equation. That was well worth the $275. The wiring worked without fuss, and the hitch proved itself after the 1300-mile haul.
Also, I’d like to note that I did a complete tuneup “Volvo Stage 0” before my trip, including new tires.
Towing with my 850 Summary
It was a monster, clocking in at 1370 miles, 13.4 miles per gallon, and 60 mph average speed. I stopped at a weigh and check station in Idaho and found the trailer was around 4500 lbs, 1200 lbs. overweight for the 850. I could have lost the transmission on my 850, but I got lucky. Don’t make the same mistake — weigh your trailer and Volvo before setting out on a trip.
Last Updated on January 31, 2022
7 Comments
Is that the 5×8 trailer from uhaul
Jay, I did nothing to the suspension. It rode a bit nose-up.
Did you do anything to the suspension, etc either before or after the tow? Also, how level did it ride?
The total weight (car+trailer) was 8200 pounds if I recall correctly. I remember thinking “Holy smokes. This is bad, but I’m in Idaho. I have no good choices except keep traveling to Denver.”
Car = 3300 (unloaded)
Trailer = 900 (unloaded)
Stuff, therefore = 4000
Just curious- how much over the recommended weight limit did you go? Btw, glad you got moved ok and without incident!
MIJ
No, no tranny or overheating issues at all. Temp gauge stayed at 3 o’clock like it’s pinned there (as it’s done in every driving condition since I’ve owned the car [2000]).
Many thanks for the update, Matthew. A quick question, for those of us thinking of doing something similar: did you experience any tranny/overheating issues (esp. when going uphill through the rockies)?
Best,
Raul