Towing with 2008 volvo xc70 or what?

In 2008 this model got a new softer suspension. I drove it and I
thought it had more body roll than I would like to have. Comfort was
great but handling I am not sure, especially for towing. So my
question is does anyone has any experience with model year 2008?

I also test drove the BMW X3 and I found it overprized for what it is
(same as volvo). The last vehicle I tested was Subaru Outback 3.0. So
far I like it this car the most (the least body roll). Does anyone
have any experience with Outback Turbo.

I am looking for all wheel drive since I live in Northern New England
and snow is here for up to 4 months a year.

I need to get a new vehicle in the next two weeks, so any advice is
much appreciated. I DO NOT want any SUVs.

AK wrote:
In 2008 this model got a new softer suspension. I drove it and I
thought it had more body roll than I would like to have. Comfort was
great but handling I am not sure, especially for towing. So my
question is does anyone has any experience with model year 2008?

What make of trailer are you towing, how much does it weigh, and how
fast do you want to tow? What were you towing with, and how well did it
do the job?

Doesn't sound like you are interested in a mini-van, either.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
* Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

* Updated! "Transponders in Sailplanes" http://tinyurl.com/y739x4
* New Jan '08 - sections on Mode S, TPAS, ADS-B, Flarm, more

* "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation" at www.motorglider.org

On Mar 29, 10:09*pm, Eric Greenwell wrote:
AK wrote:
In 2008 this model got a new softer suspension. I drove it and I
thought it had more body roll than I would like to have. Comfort was
great but handling I am not sure, especially for towing. So my
question is does anyone has any experience with model year 2008?

What make of trailer are you towing, how much does it weigh, and how
fast do you want to tow? What were you towing with, and how well did it
do the job?

Doesn't sound like you are interested in a mini-van, either.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
* Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

* Updated! "Transponders in Sailplanes"http://tinyurl.com/y739x4
* * * New Jan '08 - sections on Mode S, TPAS, ADS-B, Flarm, more

* "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation" atwww.motorglider.org

Avionic glider + trailer weight = 1800 lb (trailer with braks) for
now, but I hope to upgrade to 18m glider in the next 2-3 years but I
want to kee the new vehicle for at least 5 years.

I don't want to drive to work with a mini van.

On Mar 29, 9:59*pm, AK wrote:
In 2008 this model got a new softer suspension. I drove it and I
thought it had more body roll than I would like to have. Comfort was
great but handling I am not sure, especially for towing. So my
question is does anyone has any experience with model year 2008?

I also test drove the BMW X3 and I found it overprized for what it is
(same as volvo). The last vehicle I tested was Subaru Outback 3.0. So
far I like it this car the most (the least body roll). Does anyone
have any experience with Outback Turbo.

I am looking for all wheel drive since I live in Northern New England
and snow is here for up to 4 months a year.

I need to get a new vehicle in the next two weeks, so any advice is
much appreciated. I DO NOT want any SUVs.

I'm a big fan of my current car - a 2002 VW Passat Wagon with
4motion drive. It tows my LS8-18 in a Komet Euro Lite trailer at
70mph just fine and gets 24-25mpg when I drive to work.
Unfortunately, the current model is a different animal, so I'm not
sure if the suspension is similar. If you can find a Passat Wagon
Diesel on eBay (currently a few out there) with 4 motion, I'd
certainly consider that.

P3

On Mar 29, 10:52*pm, Papa3 wrote:
On Mar 29, 9:59*pm, AK wrote:

In 2008 this model got a new softer suspension. I drove it and I
thought it had more body roll than I would like to have. Comfort was
great but handling I am not sure, especially for towing. So my
question is does anyone has any experience with model year 2008?

I also test drove the BMW X3 and I found it overprized for what it is
(same as volvo). The last vehicle I tested was Subaru Outback 3.0. So
far I like it this car the most (the least body roll). Does anyone
have any experience with Outback Turbo.

I am looking for all wheel drive since I live in Northern New England
and snow is here for up to 4 months a year.

I need to get a new vehicle in the next two weeks, so any advice is
much appreciated. I DO NOT want any SUVs.

I'm a * big fan of my current car - a 2002 VW Passat Wagon with
4motion drive. * It tows my LS8-18 in a Komet Euro Lite trailer at
70mph just fine and gets 24-25mpg when I drive to work.
Unfortunately, the current model is a different animal, so I'm not
sure if the suspension is similar. * If you can find a Passat Wagon
Diesel on eBay (currently a few out there) with 4 motion, I'd
certainly consider that.

P3

I tow with an 05 Outback with the H6 and find it tows very well. The
only criticism with either the XT or H6 is the need for premium fuel.
In the nearly four years and 63k miles, I've had little work outside
of routine maintenance. I believe the tow capacity is a ~300# less
for the turbo despite the higher torque and the 6 is a little
smoother.

I'm looking forward to the diesel version that should be here in
09/10. It was rolled out in Geneva this year.

Chip F.

Chip F.

Any vehicle can be much improved for towing by changing to higher load-
range tires. You'd be surprised how much difference the stiffer
sidewalls make when it comes to controlling sway. It's not all about
suspension. Tires are a BIG part of the equation.

wrote:
Any vehicle can be much improved for towing by changing to higher load-
range tires. You'd be surprised how much difference the stiffer
sidewalls make when it comes to controlling sway. It's not all about
suspension. Tires are a BIG part of the equation.

Using the same size tire but with a higher speed rating, say another 20
mph, will also improve the stability while towing a trailer. For some
passenger vehicles (rather than light trucks and vans), it may be easier
to find a suitable tire with a higher speed rating than a higher load
rating.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
* Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

* Updated! "Transponders in Sailplanes" http://tinyurl.com/y739x4
* New Jan '08 - sections on Mode S, TPAS, ADS-B, Flarm, more

* "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation" at www.motorglider.org

This is an excellent point. Most car manufacturers install tires
which give the car the smoothest ride, and suggest underinflating
them. Perhaps that's the difference noted in the newer Volvo starting
the thread?
Currently running 44 PSI in the tires on the '00 Outback. It tows an
AS-H26E at 70 MPH, even with 135,000 miles on the shocks. As a rule
you don't need an SUV... Until there's a very rough road into your
landout field! I'll take fuel economy 100% of the time over the
convenience of that one retrieve.
Trailers should have tires with 50 PSI or greater inflation. You see
lots of trailers running mid 30s inflation.
Modification is always possible. The 80s vintage Jeep Cherokee had a
bad reputation for towing. Changed tires and shocks on my '87 and the
combo became very stable. Many cars which have too soft a ride or
don't trailer as well as you like can be worked on.
Jim

On Mar 29, 9:27 pm, wrote:
Any vehicle can be much improved for towing by changing to higher load-
range tires. You'd be surprised how much difference the stiffer
sidewalls make when it comes to controlling sway. It's not all about
suspension. Tires are a BIG part of the equation.

A normally aspirated Subaru Legacy (regular unleaded) wagon tows a
Cobra with ASW-24 just fine. My wife was driving that and I was
driving a Toyota Tundra with V6 (not V8) engine, pulling ASH-26E,
behind her. It was all I could do to keep up during accelleration :-)
I think the Lagacy is a '02 or '03 - belongs to a friend but is almost
identical to one we own (without hitch - that's why we have the
truck).

-Tom

On Mar 29, 11:41*pm, chipsoars wrote:
On Mar 29, 10:52*pm, Papa3 wrote:





On Mar 29, 9:59*pm, AK wrote:

In 2008 this model got a new softer suspension. I drove it and I
thought it had more body roll than I would like to have. Comfort was
great but handling I am not sure, especially for towing. So my
question is does anyone has any experience with model year 2008?

I also test drove the BMW X3 and I found it overprized for what it is
(same as volvo). The last vehicle I tested was Subaru Outback 3.0. So
far I like it this car the most (the least body roll). Does anyone
have any experience with Outback Turbo.

I am looking for all wheel drive since I live in Northern New England
and snow is here for up to 4 months a year.

I need to get a new vehicle in the next two weeks, so any advice is
much appreciated. I DO NOT want any SUVs.

I'm a * big fan of my current car - a 2002 VW Passat Wagon with
4motion drive. * It tows my LS8-18 in a Komet Euro Lite trailer at
70mph just fine and gets 24-25mpg when I drive to work.
Unfortunately, the current model is a different animal, so I'm not
sure if the suspension is similar. * If you can find a Passat Wagon
Diesel on eBay (currently a few out there) with 4 motion, I'd
certainly consider that.

P3

I tow with an 05 Outback with the H6 and find it tows very well. *The
only criticism with either the XT or H6 is the need for premium fuel.
In the nearly four years and 63k miles, I've had little work outside
of routine maintenance. *I believe the tow capacity is a ~300# less
for the turbo despite the higher torque and the 6 is a little
smoother.

I'm looking forward to the diesel version that should be here in
09/10. *It was rolled out in Geneva this year.

Chip F.

Chip F.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Ok, I made a decission I bought Subaru Outback Turbo Limited. My wife
drove it and she said it drove like her sports BMW and it can tow up
to 2700 lb and with the turbo I will have no problems going through
the mountains.