Seeking advice on towing and buying

[honda03842]

Old fashioned myself, always choosing a manual over an automtic but more difficult to do these days.

[arlon]

Originally Posted by honda03842

Old fashioned myself, always choosing a manual over an automtic but more difficult to do these days.

I spent a year looking for a manual trans X-Terra. I probably have the only one in West Texas.. (-:}

Towing has an issue though. They have a real tall reverse gear and unless you want to burn clutches, you have to use 4-low to back up on anything other than flat concrete.

[mcbrew]

Originally Posted by Bob Miller

As I mentioned, I was teaching a "Diesel Fundamentals" class at a community college at the time and heard from several others in my classes that had similar experiences with 80's MB Transmissions from towing.

All one has to do is visit the MB sites that are similar to this one for multiple sources of advice from literally 1000's of MB diesel owners. The general consensus, and there are some exceptions, is that adding a trailer isn't a good idea with the automatic diesel.

Certainly my negative experience doesn't make a rule nor does a positive one do likewise.

But , then again, if my 240D's transmission was already about to fail with only 80,000 miles on it, that wouldn't speak well for them either.

Bottom line, I ruled out a 300TD as a TV, unless a standard transmission was installed.

I have owned seven W123 Mercedes and worked on countless others. My father is a Mercedes mechanic and still works on them. It sounds like your trans was a fluke if it failed that early. Happens to every make once in a while. Those transmissions usually fail because someone neglected the filter. Once the filter plugs, trans fluid breaks through the filter material and sends it all through the trans, which destroys it almost immediately.

[thebrenda]

Thanks for all the replies. I will investigate the links suggested in each of them.

Have a 2000 volvo s70 gtl. It is a is a 5 cyclinder and has 3500 lbs curb weight. I have owned it since 2002 and do not plan on getting other car soon (I have only owned 4 cars in the last 30 years.) I am posting here to get advice for my current tow vehicle and situation. Yes the future might change, but for now this is what I have.

I am extremely safety cautious so will get anything that is needed to protect my family or car and will not overload or get more than want is suggested. But I need the knowledge and suggestions of this group - that is why I am here.

Owner's manual says ... recommended hitch tongue load is 110 lbs for trailer weights below 2,650 lbs and 165 lbs for trailer weights above 2,650 lbs. for trailer weighs between 2,650 - 3,300 lbs a top speed of 50 mph should never be exceeded. maximum weight recommended for trailers without brakes is 1100 lbs. Maximum weight recommended for trailers with braes is 2" ball 3300 lbs and 1 7/8" ball is 2000 lbs.

My hitch is a draw-tite part number 36262, class II, 1 /14" receiver, rated up to 3,500 lbs GTW.

So when we go camping there are 3 of us, average 150 lbs each person. we carry quite a bit of stuff. Usually have a bag on the top of the car. We live in florida so there are no hills. Don't anticipate going through any hills soon. My girl is 9 years old and cannot imagine taking her on a more than 4 hour trip.

Looking for suggestions and advice for safety and ease of towing regarding weight of trailer that would be acceptable and if a pop up (low profile) or camper (scamp or similar) would be a better tow. Thanks

[Bob Miller]

Hmmmm.... It sounds like Volvo is more concerned wih tongue weight than trailer weight. Hereabouts you will find that the generally accepted rule for tongue weight is 10-12% of trailer weight. Only 165 lbs of tongue weight for a 3000 lb.+ trailer sounds like an accident about to happen as the trailer will try to wag the car.

As my profile shows, we also have a Starcraft pop-up and it is a lot easier to tow than either the Ll' Bigfoot or even the smaller Hunter Compact-II.

[mcbrew]

Originally Posted by Bob Miller

Hmmmm.... It sounds like Volvo is more concerned wih tongue weight than trailer weight. Hereabouts you will find that the generally accepted rule for tongue weight is 10-12% of trailer weight. Only 165 lbs of tongue weight for a 3000 lb.+ trailer sounds like an accident about to happen as the trailer will try to wag the car.

As my profile shows, we also have a Starcraft pop-up and it is a lot easier to tow than either the Ll' Bigfoot or even the smaller Hunter Compact-II.

Very common in Europe. They usually have 4-5% tongue weight. Remember, these are cars, not trucks. Also, in Europe, people typically tow around 60 MPH. There are different speed limits when towing in many Euro countries, and the police enforce it.

My Subaru recommends as low as 4% tongue weight. It is perfectly safe as long as you maintain reasonable speeds.