Currently towing a small travel trailer (2500lb DW, 280lb TW) with a 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser. I LOVE the toyota, but the gas mileage leaves much to be desired (12mpg on a good day). Plus, I think I may be becoming a bit "soft" these days as my taste in cars has been leaning more toward "cushy-comfy". We recently bought a new Volvo (C30) for my wife- and now it has me thinking.....

As I've looked at some of the other Volvos- Particularly the S80 and XC70, I
LOVE these cars! And I've noticed that all the larger Volvos have a tow rating
of 3300lbs. Now I know that's cutting it pretty close for a 2500lb trailer, but
as I look at horsepower (300HP Volvo vs 260HP Toyota) and torque (325 ft/lb
Volvo vs 271 ft/lb Toyota), I have to think that one of the Volvos may very well
turn out to be a feasible option. Of course it would be outfitted with the brake
controller and transmission cooler (and if necessary an engine oil cooler as well). Any thoughts?

Dave

PS- and if "worse come to worse" I would likely trade my travel trailer for a smaller teardrop type camper (I don't care for "pop-up" campers- we had one once).

You should consider the XC 70 as the S 80 might be too streamlined and low at the rear.

You could add some aero stuff to your trailer, like a pointed nose, skirts, and vortex breakers as seen on todays long haul trailers to improve mileage and decrease drag. A wing on the back of the XC might help as well.

You might be able to fabricate what you need.

Pick up Commercial Car Journal, or Heavy Duty Trucking to look for articles on the matter.
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'96 855R,'64 PV544 driver, '67 P1800 basket case, '72 Yamaha Rd400, '68 Honda 350-4, '12 XC70, the first 5 are mine, heh, heh, 525,000 miles put on 10 bricks James A Sousa

I have lots of thoughts on this subject - too many for a short post!

Don't worry about the 3300 lb recommendation; the Euro rating is generally 1800 kg (3960 lbs) for larger Volvos, including virtually all V70s since 2001. XC90s with the same drivetrain as the XC70 are rated for 5000 lbs, even though the XC90 is considerably heavier to begin with.

The biggest setup challenge is dealing with tongue weight over 300 lbs or so. (The Euro rating is 75 kg (165 lbs), but don't worry about that as long as the cargo area of the car is lightly loaded. Stability is what counts.) Finding a factory-made trailer hitch (properly described as a "receiver") to take the torsional forces of a weight distributing hitch is virtually impossible. However, if you can find a hitch shop or welding shop that will extend the centre receiver tube and attach it to the subframe for the rear suspension, you will have a solution.

Draw-Tite makes a reasonably good hitch for these cars. With your 280 lb tongue weight, you might find it quite suitable.

Find an ATF cooler if you can; don't worry about an engine oil cooler.

Power will be excellent, and Volvos are extremely stable tow cars.

We are getting ready to tow a 1975 27' Airstream with a 2008 V70 - 5500 to 6000 lbs loaded. We previously towed it with a 2001 S60 (base with a manual transmisson) - over 25,000 miles worth.

Just because the max trailer weight allowed is 3300lbs, with trailer brakes, doesn't mean you can haul the caravan. The TONGUE weight allowed is only 165lbs, well shy of what you need. Also remember that the trailer weight is added to the extra weight of the car's cargo.

Plus, the aerodynamics of the caravan will really decrease your mpg. I suggest a diesel F150, for extended range between fillups and extra torque. The truck will handle anything behind it, just don't get 4X4 as the ride height is too high and the springs are less comfortable.
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My name is Klaus and I am a V♂lv♂holic