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11-07-2020, 10:14 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Name: Ellpea
Trailer: 1988 Lil Bigfoot and 2006 Bigfoot 17.5 Gaucho
CA
Posts: 1,412
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Specs in manual? Or specs on tow bar?
I’m having a terrible time getting definitive answers on what weights my new vehicle can tow, and I did a LOT of research up front! Maybe some of you can help me.
My new car is a 2017 Volvo XC60, T5 FWD. I absolutely LOVE it. Before I bought it, the specs I was reading everywhere said it could tow around 3500 pounds and take a hitch weight of 350 pounds. I haven't had a hitch installed yet, the really beefy, Volvo hitch that communicates with the car and does all kinds of important stuff is going to run around 2k.
Now I get home with the car and the manual says trailer weight with brakes 3300k, and HITCH WEIGHT 165!!
A friend who is towing his huge, heavy boat took this photo of his Volvo hitch...
[IMG]  [/IMG].
Another friend has been towing his Casita about 5k miles per year for the last 5 years with the Volvo hitch.
My own independent Volvo mechanic, Steve (who is the BOM  , says he would completely trust the HITCH SPECS. But other people have consulted different sources who say MANUAL specs.
I asked Steve if possibly that hitch was built for the bigger Volvo, and he said no, it would ONLY fit the XC60. He reiterated again that the tow bar is so strong, it could probably tow a steam engine.
HELP HELP! This car can tow my Lil Bigfoot just fine, but I have always wanted to go one step larger, ideally a 17.5 Bigfoot with the gaucho and rear corner bath.
Who should I believe?
__________________
Best,
EllPea in CA
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11-07-2020, 10:27 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Name: Jon
Trailer: 2008 Scamp 13 S1
Arizona
Posts: 12,303
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The hitch was made by Thule and the specs apply to the hitch. Not sure why it says Volvo on the sticker, but I'm guessing it was made by Thule under contract for Volvo. The manual was written by Volvo and applies to the vehicle.
Hitches are manufactured to specific duty classes. Class II is 3500/350#. The 3300# tow rating on the vehicle means that a Class II hitch was the correct application for this vehicle, but it does not override the towing specs in the manual. It’s the same principle that your combined tire weight ratings are higher the the GVWR of the vehicle. You install components that are more than enough for the loads of the application.
I'd be delighted to be wrong. The place to get a valid second opinion would be Volvo Cars of North America corporate. Most manufacturers have a technical assistance department to answer questions like these.
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11-07-2020, 11:24 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Trailer: Escape 17 ft
Posts: 8,317
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My weight distribution hitch has a label that tells it like it is. The capacity is the least of any specifications in the application.
I cannot tow a 14,000 lb,. trailer, because my RAV4 manual says 3,500 max.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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11-07-2020, 01:39 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Trailer: 13 ft Scamp
Posts: 1,773
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As far as your tow bar others will chime on
As far as you vehicle take it to dealer and they can run the vin #
That will tell you specifics on your exact vehicle per factory
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11-07-2020, 04:21 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Name: bill
Trailer: 2013 Escape 19
The Mountains of NC/SW Desert of UT
Posts: 4,188
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Tow rating of my hitch and ball on my Honda Element are all over triple the vehicle's tow rating. Vehicle trumps hitch. It is not unusual to have a hitch, receiver and ball all with significantly higher rating than the vehicle itself.
Imagine if it were the opposite?
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11-07-2020, 05:54 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Name: Ellpea
Trailer: 1988 Lil Bigfoot and 2006 Bigfoot 17.5 Gaucho
CA
Posts: 1,412
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I essentially agree with what everyone said above. I agree there’s a difference between the rating for the tow bar and the rating for the vehicle. However what gives me pause is the fact that this is a tow bar made specifically for Volvo, and what’s more is made specifically for the XC 60 as it says on the tow bar itself. Why would Thule give it a rating of 350 pounds hitch weight for the XC60? Something is wrong here!
__________________
Best,
EllPea in CA
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11-08-2020, 12:38 PM
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#7
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Junior Member
Name: Paul
Trailer: thinking about it
FL
Posts: 1
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My boat and trailer weigh about 3500 pounds fueled and loaded up. Just about within the spec of 3300-3500 lbs I read in various places. As Pam describes it is the tongue weight that is the big question. Is it really 165 lbs or can it handle the 300 I have on it. I get sooo many varied opinions. In terms of how the Volvo XC60 drives, it pulls the boat out of the water and up the ramp easily, no strain that I detect. The car has an 1" of squat on the rear suspension when loaded. It is a FWD and when going around corners doesn't seem to swim or be light footed. Having said that...I'm kind of a follow the specs kinda guy so have the same concerns as Pam.
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11-08-2020, 03:34 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2004 13 ft Scamp Custom Deluxe
Posts: 8,531
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Keep your L'il BigFoot...
You will find it much better as a travel trailer.
You can tow it without fuel sacrifice.
You can parallel Park anywhere there are two spaces in a row.
You can drive through the drive through at the bank, fast food, etc.
You can make a U turn on most any two lane with a narrow shoulder.
You won't cause undo wear on the car that you love and you'll still be able to pass on mountain roads.
After 16 years , we wouldn't trade our 13ScampD for anything larger.
OR?? How about a WDH?
A 17.5 Bigfoot is a nice trailer but it is heavy and not too aero.
Some full sized trucks struggle with it.
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11-09-2020, 08:20 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Name: Jon
Trailer: 2008 Scamp 13 S1
Arizona
Posts: 12,303
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Great post, Floyd!
I did assume she was thinking of an older and lighter B17, but it will still push the limits of her tow vehicle due to its tall, wide, and decidedly un-aerodynamic towing profile.
If having a wet bath is part of the reason for the up-size, a 13’ Scamp deluxe would be well worth a look. Surprised Floyd didn’t mention that...
I’d still love to hear what Volvo of NA says about the discrepancy on the sticker.
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11-09-2020, 08:39 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Name: Ellpea
Trailer: 1988 Lil Bigfoot and 2006 Bigfoot 17.5 Gaucho
CA
Posts: 1,412
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon in AZ
Great post, Floyd!
I did assume she was thinking of an older and lighter B17, but it will still push the limits of her tow vehicle due to its tall, wide, and decidedly un-aerodynamic towing profile.
If having a wet bath is part of the reason for the up-size, a 13’ Scamp deluxe would be well worth a look. Surprised Floyd didn’t mention that...
I’d still love to hear what Volvo of NA says about the discrepancy on the sticker.
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Nope nope nope! I want a bed that I don’t have to take down every morning, and the 13 with a wetbath is just too claustrophobic. Yes, the older 17 would work for me... if it didn’t kill my car.
What? About the WDH. I know what this is of course. DOES A WDH UP THE SPEC FOR HITCH WEIGHT?
__________________
Best,
EllPea in CA
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11-09-2020, 08:43 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Name: Ellpea
Trailer: 1988 Lil Bigfoot and 2006 Bigfoot 17.5 Gaucho
CA
Posts: 1,412
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Quote:
Originally Posted by floyd
Keep your L'il BigFoot...
You will find it much better as a travel trailer.
You can tow it without fuel sacrifice.
You can parallel Park anywhere there are two spaces in a row.
You can drive through the drive through at the bank, fast food, etc.
You can make a U turn on most any two lane with a narrow shoulder.
You won't cause undo wear on the car that you love and you'll still be able to pass on mountain roads.
After 16 years , we wouldn't trade our 13ScampD for anything larger.
OR?? How about a WDH?
A 17.5 Bigfoot is a nice trailer but it is heavy and not too aero.
Some full sized trucks struggle with it.
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Floyd,you are right about everything you say above, and I have done all of these things with my Lil Bigfoot and my V70 Volvo! (I have had a goal when practicing of backing that trailer into figure 8s... have never quite managed that but have come close!) I do wish the 17 was more aero.
__________________
Best,
EllPea in CA
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11-09-2020, 08:56 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Name: Jon
Trailer: 2008 Scamp 13 S1
Arizona
Posts: 12,303
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EllPea in CA
DOES A WDH UP THE SPEC FOR HITCH WEIGHT?
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If it does, the manufacturer will spell it out in the manual. Mine actually says, “Use of a WDH is not recommended...”.
Can-Am RV in Onterio is well known for adding WDH to allow smaller vehicles to tow larger trailers. They sometimes reinforce the rear subframe to handle the stresses. Their work is controversial in the towing community. I mention it not as an endorsement but to point out that WDH requires a vehicle designed to handle the forces applied.
With my vehicle the reason for the warning appears to be that improper adjustment can affect sensitive AWD, ABS, ESC and other systems.
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11-10-2020, 11:25 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Name: Ellpea
Trailer: 1988 Lil Bigfoot and 2006 Bigfoot 17.5 Gaucho
CA
Posts: 1,412
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This is from an XC owner i Australia:
“ Pamela Hanford in Australia we have 10% of total trailer weight allowed ball weight. Total trailer weight is 2400kg.”
This is from the manual THERE:
[IMG]  [/IMG]
I see the same higher hitch weights XCs towing trailers in Europe.
__________________
Best,
EllPea in CA
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11-10-2020, 12:23 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Name: Alexander
Trailer: 1979 Boler B1300
New Hampshire
Posts: 1,143
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Ellpea, it doesn't matter what is said in other countries. You have to conform to what it says in the US version of the manual. There are vehicles that have a towing capacity in Europe but in the US the manual says that you cannot under any circumstances use the vehicle to tow. As far as whether you should use the trailer hitch numbers or the manual's numbers, use the numbers in the manual. The hitch has its own ratings due to the fact that the standards are vehicle agnostic (type 1, type 2, type 3, etc.). The manufacturer selects a hitch for the vehicle that either meets what the manufacturer says are the capacities are or exceeds them. Yes, a manufacturer could put a type 1 hitch on a 3/4 ton pickup, but then your towing would be limited to what the hitch has for ratings. It also works the other way, putting a type 3 hitch on a Kia Soul is not going to allow you to tow a 23 foot boat.
The other aspect to this would be any insurance liabilities. If you tow something beyond the manufacturer's stated capacities, your insurance could become null and void in the case of an accident or you could be automatically at fault.
This is the same argument for making sure you have brakes on a trailer when the stated capacity by the manufacturer of the vehicle states that brakes are necessary for that capacity.
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11-10-2020, 12:39 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Name: bill
Trailer: 2013 Escape 19
The Mountains of NC/SW Desert of UT
Posts: 4,188
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Yes next trip to Australia you should enjoy the higher limits. I also like the speed limits on the Autobahn, maybe I can use that in traffic court. Got pulled over on US50 in Nevada, going 70 mph. Only people on that road were me and the county sheriff.
My own experience with US tow limits is they are generous versus reality. I have had tow vehicles that met the legal requirement but couldn’t keep up serious grades with semis. My basic rule is I will not be a hazard to other Highway users. I regularly see others that aren’t bothered holding up everyone else.
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11-10-2020, 12:45 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Name: Alexander
Trailer: 1979 Boler B1300
New Hampshire
Posts: 1,143
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thrifty bill
My own experience with US tow limits is they are generous versus reality. I have had tow vehicles that met the legal requirement but couldn’t keep up serious grades with semis. My basic rule is I will not be a hazard to other Highway users. I regularly see others that aren’t bothered holding up everyone else.
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I've got to ask Bill, how fast were you going in that situation, 15 MPH? I've seen doubles doing 35 MPH up a long steep grade out west when I lived in Oregon.
My Crosstrek (1500 lb capacity) pulls my 1240 lb Boler and the slowest I have been was 50 MPH on a pretty long (3 mile) and steep uphill. I was passing Tractor Trailers as well. I was in 3rd gear the whole time with high revs.
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11-10-2020, 04:15 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Name: bill
Trailer: 2013 Escape 19
The Mountains of NC/SW Desert of UT
Posts: 4,188
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I crested Vantage pass at 29mph, I-90, WA state,
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11-10-2020, 05:36 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Name: Mike
Trailer: Escape 21 & Jeep GC 5.7 (Previous 2012 Casita FD17 & 2010 Audi Q5)
Puget Sound, WA
Posts: 1,775
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EllPea in CA
Nope nope nope! I want a bed that I don’t have to take down every morning, and the 13 with a wetbath is just too claustrophobic. Yes, the older 17 would work for me... if it didn’t kill my car.
What? About the WDH. I know what this is of course. DOES A WDH UP THE SPEC FOR HITCH WEIGHT?
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EllPea,
A WDH does not increase the rated capacity of a tow vehicle, though some vehicles do require or recommend a WDH in order to attain or utilize the full rated capacity.
Folks have posted succinct and factual answers for you concerning the limitations and which published capacities prevail.
It seemed you were well aware of these limitations a few years back when you were shopping for a trailer for the V70, which as I best recall had the same rated tongue weight and towing capacities. That's why you have the trailer that you do; it was a good fit for the limitations of the tow vehicle.
The manufacturer's current published dry weights for the Bigfoot 17.5 gaucho trailer you describe are 3,179 lbs. and an average hitch weight of 315 lbs.
While the XC60 is a fine vehicle, it is in no manner suitable or capable of competently and safely towing a Bigfoot 17.5.
The Bigfoot 17's have a GVWR of 4,300 lb. You are in hilly country there. Other than potentially considering a Q5 or some other European vehicle with a 4,400 lbs. rated capacity (2,000 kilograms), you would be best served by looking for something with a 5,000 lb. minimum tow rating if you would like to tow a 17.5.
__________________
~ “It’s absurd to divide people into good and bad. People are either charming or tedious.” Oscar Wilde ~
~ “What the human being is best at doing is interpreting all new information so that their prior conclusions remain intact.” Warren Buffett ~
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11-10-2020, 05:43 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Name: John
Trailer: Reboot 19.4
Smith Valley, Nevada
Posts: 2,919
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Civilguy
EllPea,
A WDH does not increase the rated capacity of a tow vehicle, though some vehicles do require or recommend a WDH in order to attain or utilize the full rated capacity.
Folks have posted succinct and factual answers for you concerning the limitations and which published capacities prevail.
It seemed you were well aware of these limitations a few years back when you were shopping for a trailer for the V70, which as I best recall had the same rated tongue weight and towing capacities. That's why you have the trailer that you do; it was a good fit for the limitations of the tow vehicle.
The manufacturer's current published dry weights for the Bigfoot 17.5 gaucho trailer you describe are 3,179 lbs. and an average hitch weight of 315 lbs.
While the XC60 is a fine vehicle, it is in no manner suitable or capable of competently and safely towing a Bigfoot 17.5.
The Bigfoot 17's have a GVWR of 4,300 lb. You are in hilly country there. Other than potentially considering a Q5 or some other European vehicle with a 4,400 lbs. rated capacity (2,000 kilograms), you would be best served by looking for something with a 5,000 lb. minimum tow rating if you would like to tow a 17.5.
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Great post Mike. 👍
__________________
I only exaggerate enough to compensate for being taken with a grain of salt.
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