Volvo v50 R design 2ltr diesel 2009 as a row car.

Andyd99
Andyd99 Forum Participant Posts: 1
edited December 2015 in Towcars & Towing #1

Just joined the caravan club tonight can already see the benefits of joining already, and are booking a few days away in February to Chester fairoaks tomorrow. Just wanted to ask people's opinions on our set up to see if it feels a safe match. Hope
you don't mind. 

Recently brought our first touring caravan, a 1998 Elddis ex select 450/4, MIRO 867, maximum authorised weight 1100kg.



I have a 2009 Volvo v50 R design 2ltr diesel 134 bhp, kerb weight 1489kg. 



I have towed the caravan with it twice moving it from where I brought it from, then to storage and it towed ok (I'm a beginner towing caravans). 



When I'm doing low speeds in 3rd or 4th gear, it does tend to judder a bit. Is that me just not changing my driving habits and not changing down early enough??? I suppose what I'm trying to say is would this happen in any car if I was driving in the same
manner  



Also, the rear suspension looks quite low on the r design which concerned me a bit, but didn't seem to effect it in anyway when the

Caravan was on the back, so hoping it's the same when were loaded to go away in February for the first time!!! 



Do many people use the diesel v50 for towing their vans with? What's the overall view on them as a sturdy row car??

 

 

Comments

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2015 #2

    With any car you will need a few more revs when towing so you just need to adjust to that. As for low suspension, just keep an eye on the moseweight of the caravan. I don't know what the hitch limit is for your car but perhaps you need to err on the lighter
    side, perhaps around 60-65Kg.

  • MHG
    MHG Forum Participant Posts: 53
    edited January 2016 #3

    Hi Andy, I started caravanning three years ago, and my first towcar was a V50 2.0 D R-Design model. It towed my Bailey Pursuit 540 like a dream. We have had many great hol's with the Volvo - not least were two epic trips right down to Bayonne in the South
    of France - where dispite some suspect terrain it never faultered at all. I had the Volvo detachable towbar (brink i think..) which was rated at 75kg. I like the stiff sports suspension and big wheels - i think it adds to the stabability... plus its a great
    drive solo :)

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