Volvo V50 or V70

Herb Atious
Herb Atious Forum Participant Posts: 60
edited May 2017 in Towcars & Towing #1

Hi all

I am returning to caravanning after a break of 20 years, I have had Volvo estates in the past but the last few years downsized to a noddy car

So am having to buy a vehicle as well as a caravan

I was looking at the Volvo V50 and V70 diesels about the 2006 to 2008 years 

Looking around I quite like the Bailey 500/5 due to its layout and they seem quite light 

Its MTPLM is 1,271kg

The specs on the 2.0D V50 have a kerb weight of 1484kg & 85% @ 1261kg

The specs on the V70 2.4D are a kerb weight of 1644 & 85% @ 1397kg

My question being would the V50 be man enough for the job or would it be better to go for a V70

Would either vehicle have better attributes for towing or economy over the other

Anyone towing with either vehicle that could share some advice please

Or any thoughts on the Bailey come to that

Many thanks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited May 2017 #2

    No experience of either, but in general, big is best .... bigger is better cool

    Given a choice of the two, I'd go for the V70

  • triky auto
    triky auto Forum Participant Posts: 8,690
    1000 Comments
    edited May 2017 #3

    wink JUST changed my V70 Classic 1997 2.4, TD,I with 221 thousand on the clock ,brilliant workhorse,towed anything and carried everything with no trouble whatsoever.Caravans/boats/horse boxes/trailers .I would suggest your choice ,the V70,it won't struggle like the smaller ones on offer.If you can get the model with the Audi engine ,,so much the better.Beware of those produced by 'FORD' when they took over !! Good luck.Being on my forth Volvo Estate now ,the V90-R.!!Mmmlaughing.

  • Herb Atious
    Herb Atious Forum Participant Posts: 60
    edited May 2017 #4

    Thank you both for the feedback 

    I am looking at a V70 tomorrow, hope for a good outcome

    Much appreciated

    I had a 240 for a few years then a 940 for ten years

     

     

     

  • Simpleton855
    Simpleton855 Forum Participant Posts: 72
    edited May 2017 #5

    Go for the V70 but see if you can find a D5 within budget.

  • Herb Atious
    Herb Atious Forum Participant Posts: 60
    edited May 2017 #6

    Thanks for that

    The one I am looking at is I am told a D5 but a 163bhp version

    It is just in my budget so have to compromise somewhere

    Thanks again

     

  • hastghyll
    hastghyll Forum Participant Posts: 42
    edited May 2017 #7

    I think it depends on how much towing you're planning on doing. If it's only short trips and most of the time you will be using the car on its own it's a matter of choice. If the weights suit the van there's no reason why either wouldn't be OK. The V70 is bigger with more boot space. I use an XC70 as we carry our dogs and they can stretch out plus some off road ability. It's not as economical but suits what we use it for.

  • Herb Atious
    Herb Atious Forum Participant Posts: 60
    edited May 2017 #8

    Thank you for your response, much appreciated

    Sorry to you and others for what seems like late replies but clearly my replies are not getting through as yet

    I now have the V70 I mentioned previously and am pleased with it and its performance

    Just need to find a van now ;-)

     

    All comments much appreciated , hopefully if I can get my replies posted I can ask more questions and perhaps have some input too

    Thanks again

     

     

     

  • Richardrjb
    Richardrjb Forum Participant Posts: 24
    edited May 2017 #9

    I have had the V70 the XC70 and now with the new XC60 all with the D5 engines

    The D5 engine has the power to to tow any van - the space in the V70 and XC70 is excellent. The tow ball weight on the V70 is 70KG were as the XC70 and XC60 has 90 KG.

    I found the suspension on the V70 spongy and needed beefing up from standard. The XC70 was OK.

    The caravan you mentioned should be OK with the V70 but should you go to a  larger van in the future then I would look at the XC70 - they are really good cars and all wheel drive.

  • Herb Atious
    Herb Atious Forum Participant Posts: 60
    edited May 2017 #10

    Thanks for your reply

    I have been waiting for my replies to be approved and posted hence the delay, in the interim I have now purchased a V70 2.4D and am mostly impressed with it

    Just need to find something to tow now ;-)

     

     

  • Herb Atious
    Herb Atious Forum Participant Posts: 60
    edited May 2017 #11

    Apologies to all for the delayed replies, I have been waiting for them to be approved

    Hopefully I won't have that problem from now on

    Much appreciate all feedback

     

     

  • triky auto
    triky auto Forum Participant Posts: 8,690
    1000 Comments
    edited May 2017 #12

    wink Good choice !!laughing.

  • alfigone
    alfigone Forum Participant Posts: 48
    edited May 2017 #13

    Second the good choice post!  I have a V70 2012 D5 R-Design and it has been an excellent tow car, and certainly had no issues with the suspension.

    As regards nose weight as mentioned by Richard, I would check your handbook to confirm yours, I believe pre 2005 they were 50 Kg, From about 2008 it changed to 85 Kg, however, as said I have a MY 2012 D5 auto, which has a nose weight of 90 Kg & a towing limit of 2000 Kg.  (the manual only has 1800 Kg).

    So depending what year yours is, the engine & the transmission it could be anything between 50 & 90Kg!  But as said if you have the handbook it should be stated in there. undecided

    Paul.

  • Herb Atious
    Herb Atious Forum Participant Posts: 60
    edited May 2017 #14

    Thanks for your input

     

    I have both the original and a downloaded handbook which give 90kg max nose weight and 1800kg towing capacity

    But the vans I am looking at are well within the 85% suggested

    There seem to be a few more caravans coming on the market now so hopefully can purchase one soon

     

     

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