Hi, We currently tow our Bailey 510/4 with a Freelander TD4 which is great and has nice drving position. Only problem is limited space in the freelander so we are thinking about changing the car to a 2nd hand Volvo. We are not sure whether to trade in both our cars to go for an all round car suitable for everything and has space. So question is can anyone recomend either a Volvo XC70 diesel or XC90 diesel. Has anyone towed with either and what do they think - be thankful for ay tips etc.Cheers ;-)
We recently got the XC90, it's great, tows like a dream. We have the 186 bhp new version 2.4 diesel. I would not go for the older lower powered one for towing.
We got it as we want a twin axle next so needed something heavier. Our present van is 1300kg MTPLM and we previously used a 2 litre 940. A little underpowered on steep hills.
The XC70 is also a good car, but not heavy enough for us. For the price difference I think the 90 is a better deal.
Volvo V70 - 2.0T (132 kW/177 bhp) Date of manufacture: june 2003 - up to now
82%
1223 kg 1485 kg
The match between car and caravan is perfect in accordance with a mix of European standards. However, according to the British Towing Code the percentage (loaded caravan / kerbweight tow car) is 82%.
The towing performances of this Volvo with your Bailey are perfect (performance index = 108 km/h or 67 mph).
You may expect excellent performances from this outfit. On flat roads it's easy to come along, in which case top gear is applicable in all cases.
On motorway inclines you will be able not only to come along, but be the first at the top. On steep roads you have more than sufficient power to keep going. On hill starts there will be sufficient power to get going, provided the wheels have traction.
108
15%
More in detail
Possible top speeds
Possible top speed in windless conditions and head wind force 3
Top speed in 3rd gear is 137 km/h (85 mph) and in head wind it will be 133 km/h (83 mph).
Top speed in 4th gear is 136 km/h (85 mph) and in head wind it will be 120 km/h (75 mph).
Top speed in 5th gear is 120 km/h (75 mph) and in head wind it will be 104 km/h (65 mph).
Top speed or speed at 4400 rpm (= 80% of max. power revolution)
Speed in 1st gear is 35 km/h and in head wind (force 3) it will be 35 km/h.
Speed in 2nd gear is 63 km/h and in head wind (force 3) it will be 63 km/h.
Speed in 3rd gear is 100 km/h and in head wind (force 3) it will be 100 km/h.
Speed in 4th gear is 136 km/h and in head wind (force 3) it will be 120 km/h.
Speed in 5th gear is 120 km/h and in head wind (force 3) it will be 104 km/h.
Acceleration and take over
Acceleration
0 - 80 km/h (0 - 50 mph) with caravan in 10.5 sec. (solo: 6 sec.)
0 - 100 km/h (0 - 62 mph) with caravan in 17.3 sec. (solo: 9.1 sec.)
0 - 120 km/h (0 - 75 mph) with caravan in 26.2 sec. (solo: 12 sec.)
Acceleration 70 - 90 km/h (44 - 56 mph) flexibility
As fast as possible (through the gears) 4.7 sec.
In 3rd gear 6.3 sec. Tractive power (pick-up) is good.
In 4th gear 10.5 sec. Tractive power (pick-up) is satisfactory.
In 5th gear 16.5 sec. Tractive power (pick-up) is moderate.
Usability 5th gear at 80 km/h (50 mph)
Power at 80 km/h in 5th gear (2063 rpm)
65 kW
Power needed to drive 80 km/h
36 kW
Acceleration 80-90 km/h in 5th gear
9 sec
Maximum head wind in 5th gear at 80 km/h
head wind force 6 (40 km/h)
Maximum gradient in the 5th gear at 80 km/h
3%
Minimum speed - at maximal torque - at 4400 rev - at max rev
in the 1st gear 14 km/h - 15 km/h - 35 km/h - 48 km/h
in the 2nd gear 24 km/h - 26 km/h - 63 km/h - 86 km/h
in the 3th gear 39 km/h - 42 km/h - 100 km/h - 138 km/h
in the 4th gear 53 km/h - 58 km/h - 137 km/h - 189 km/h
in the 5th gear 66 km/h - 72 km/h - 171 km/h - 235 km/h
Driving on motorway slopes
Top speed on a gradient of 5% (1 to 20)
In the 1st gear: 47 km/h (29 mph) at 5871 rpm and 35 km/h at 4400 rpm
In the 2nd gear: 85 km/h (53 mph) at 5982 rpm and 63 km/h at 4400 rpm
In the 3th gear: 119 km/h (74 mph) at 5218 rpm and 100 km/h at 4400 rpm
In the 4th gear: 81 km/h (50 mph) at 2597 rpm
The 5th gear isn't applicable at a gradient of 5% (1 to 20).
Drive off uphill
Height above sea level
Drive off uphill in the first gear
0 m.
17.7%
500 m.
16.9%
1000 m.
16%
1500 m.
15.2%
2000 m.
14.4%
2500 m.
13.6%
Driving on steep roads
Top speed on a gradient of 12% (1 to 8)
1st gear
47 km/h (29 mph)
2nd gear
82 km/h (51 mph)
3rd gear
isn't applicable
4th gear
isn't applicable
5th gear
isn't applicable
Height above sea level
Drive at 20 km/h (12 mph) in 1st gear
Drive at 40 km/h (25 mph) in 2nd gear
0 m
35.5%
18.7%
500 m
34.2%
18.1%
1000 m
33%
17.4%
1500 m
31.7%
16.8%
2000 m
30.5%
16.1%
2500 m
29.3%
15.5%
Check data
Car make and model
Volvo V70 - 2.0T
Year of issue
june 2003 - up to now
Power
132 kW (177 bhp) at 5500 rpm
Torque
240 Nm (177 lb/ft) at (or from) 1850 rpm
Kerbweight (may differ in the UK)
1485 kg and 'ballasted' with 250 kg
Tyres
205 / 55 R 16
Transmission
Manual (or automatic without torque converter) 5 speed
Caravan
Bailey Ranger S5 510/4
Actual laden caravan weight
1223 kg (car towing limit is 1800 kg)
The airflow is:
average (height = 2.59 m and width = 2.19 m)
Gross Train weight (car+caravan)
2958 kg
This program is developed by Bert Wijnen and Menno van der Heijden under auspices of the Dutch Caravan Club (NCC), colofon en disclaimer.
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It's not the 4x4-ness, it's the emissions. Presumably an XC 70 is more polluting than a V70. We ordered our XC90 before the new RFT came in, but we would still have ordered anyway.
I would agree, if you are looking at the 70s then go for the V70. I don't think the XC70 is worth the extra unless you really need 4 wheel drive. Does the V70 have the self levelling suspension? That is worth having I think. We have it on our 940.
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Topic: Tow Cars - Which Volvo
