Driving With A Trailer - Volvo V 70 Owner's Manual

08 Starting and driving

Driving with a trailer*

When driving with a trailer there are a number
of important points to think about regarding
e.g. the towing bracket, the trailer and how
the load is positioned in the trailer.
Payload depends on the car's kerb weight.
The total of the weight of the passengers and
all accessories, e.g. towbar, reduces the car's
payload by a corresponding weight. For more
detailed information, see Weights (p. 402).
If the towing bracket is mounted by Volvo,
then the car is delivered with the necessary
equipment for driving with a trailer.
•
The car's towing bracket must be of an
approved type.
•
If the towbar is retrofitted, check with
your Volvo dealer that the car is fully
equipped for driving with a trailer.
•
Distribute the load on the trailer so that
the weight on the towing bracket com-
plies with the specified maximum towball
load.
•
Increase the tyre pressure to the recom-
mended pressure for a full load. For infor-
mation on the tyre pressure, see Tyres -
approved tyre pressures (p. 418).
•
The engine is loaded more heavily than
usual when driving with a trailer.
•
Do not tow a heavy trailer when the car is
08
brand new. Wait until it has been driven
at least 1000 km.
*
306
Option/accessory, for more information, see Introduction.
•
The brakes are loaded much more than
usual on long and steep downhill slopes.
Downshift to a lower gear and adjust your
speed.
•
For safety reasons, the maximum permit-
ted speed for the car when coupled with
a trailer should not be exceeded. Follow
the regulations in force for the permitted
speeds and weights.
•
Maintain a low speed when driving with a
trailer up long, steep ascents.
•
Avoid driving with a trailer on inclines of
more than 12%.
Trailer cable
An adapter is required if the car's towing
bracket has 13 pin electrics and the trailer
has 7 pin electrics. Use an adapter cable
approved by Volvo. Make sure the cable does
not drag on the ground.
Direction indicators and brake lights on
the trailer
If any of the trailer's lamps for direction indi-
cators are broken, then the combined instru-
ment panel's symbol for direction indicators
flashes faster than normal and the information
Trailer indicator
display shows the text
malfunction .
If any of the trailer's lamps for the brake light
Trailer brake light
are broken then the
malfunction
text is shown.
Level control*
The rear shock absorbers maintain a constant
height irrespective of the car's load (up to the
maximum permissible weight). When the car
is stationary the rear of the car lowers slightly,
which is normal
Trailer weights
For information on Volvo's permitted trailer
weights, see Towing capacity and towball
load (p. 403).
NOTE
The stated maximum permitted trailer
weights are those permitted by Volvo.
National vehicle regulations can further
limit trailer weights and speeds. Towbars
can be certified for higher towing weights
than the car can actually tow.
WARNING
Follow the stated recommendations for
trailer weights. Otherwise, the car and
trailer may be difficult to control in the
event of sudden movement and braking.
Related information
•
Driving with a trailer* - manual gearbox
(p. 307)
•
Driving with a trailer* - automatic gearbox
(p. 307)
•
Towing bracket/Towbar* (p. 308)
•
Lamp replacement - general (p. 362)