Is it safe to tow short distance with Volvo Tempa
We are considering replacing our 2004 Volvo XC70 tow car. We tow a Coachman VIP 575/4 with an uprated MTPLM of 1850Kg. The Volvo is in good nick - only 90,000 miles but as it gets older there's the risk of expensive problems and difficulty in getting breakdown
/ recovery insurance for Europe. We are pushing our luck with weight ratio - I'd like a heavier car anyway.
The XC90 looks a good option (at the moment our choice seems to be between that and The Land Rover Discovery Sport).
But I'm worried that the XC90 can only be supplied with what they call a Tempa Spare.
Two questions, please: could I safely tow with the Tempa spare - even at a low speed? And does anyone have experience of carrying a full size spare - would that have to be carried in the load space?
The Discovery Sport does seem able to have a full size spare, but we're sort of addicted to Volvos - this is our 4th.
We go to Europe in the Winter and I don't want to risk being stuck with an unusable spare on a remote road at the weekend.
We'll be looking to buy a 1 - 2 year old vehicle. Can't afford new prices.
Would appreciate any advice.
Comments
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You can always buy a full size spare wheel if you want to. Or negotiate it as part of the purchase.
You can store it wherever you want surely. In the boot, under the boot floor if there is a wheel well that probably has space, in the caravan, on the roof.
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Thank you everyone. I need to go and look at an example of the model we are considering, to see if a full size spare can be accomodated under the boot floor. I'd just feel happier having a proper spare in case of a problem in a remote area at a weekend....
I've been checking the Discovery Sport and it looks like that has a skinny spare as well, but a full size one can be fitted in the space....
good idea KeefySher to make it part of the deal when I buy.....
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I had a Tempa wheel with my XC70 and sent an e mail to Volvo re towing and they said it was perfectly alright to tow a caravan with the spare as long as we kept to the rules of use. The underfloor space would accomadate a tempa spare but not a full size wheel unless you wanted to put it in but not shut the floor over the top of it. For the amount of times you may use a spare I would rather it was out of the way .
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I had a Tempa wheel with my XC70 and sent an e mail to Volvo re towing and they said it was perfectly alright to tow a caravan with the spare as long as we kept to the rules of use. The underfloor space would accomadate a tempa spare but not a full size
wheel unless you wanted to put it in but not shut the floor over the top of it. For the amount of times you may use a spare I would rather it was out of the way .Where would you put the full size damaged wheel whilst the skinny spare is on the axle? In my roadster it has to go on the passengers lap as it's too big for the boot, on my saloon it goes under the floor with the floor angled. With a boot as big as the
Volvo in question there won't be so much of an issue, probably
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Thank you everyone. I need to go and look at an example of the model we are considering, to see if a full size spare can be accomodated under the boot floor. I'd just feel happier having a proper spare in case of a problem in a remote area at a weekend....
I've been checking the Discovery Sport and it looks like that has a skinny spare as well, but a full size one can be fitted in the space....
good idea KeefySher to make it part of the deal when I buy.....
They will supply a full size spare but it requires a modification which of course costs oh so much extra!!
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I had a Tempa wheel with my XC70 and sent an e mail to Volvo re towing and they said it was perfectly alright to tow a caravan with the spare as long as we kept to the rules of use.
What are 'the rules of use'?
Write your comments here...Keep speed to 50mph or below as shown on the rim.
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I had a Tempa wheel with my XC70 and sent an e mail to Volvo re towing and they said it was perfectly alright to tow a caravan with the spare as long as we kept to the rules of use.
What are 'the rules of use'?
Write your comments here...Keep speed to 50mph or below as shown on the rim.
Should be popular on the M6. Any distance constraints?
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I asked Volvo UK technical department when I bought the V70 and have a written reply confirming the space saver is ok on front or rear for axle when towing. I tried a full size spare wheel/tyre in the tyre well of my MY2010 V70 and it wouldn't go in far
enough as the well is tapered too much.0
