Volvo XC60 bumpy ride when towing
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Yes my personal opinion is that the Pirelli are softer which in turn lessens the effects on the suspension whereas the stiffer Conti's transferred the vertical load directly to the vehicle suspension. That's why I suggest trying a lower solo tyre pressure to see what effect it has.
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Not just West Glamorgan??
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There must be some engineers on the forum that have a good understanding of the dynamics of car suspension. It's a very long time since I was studying engineering science but I vaguely remember something called simple harmonic motion. You could try putting a couple of paving slabs in the car boot and see if that dampens the effect. You may find you need to get a heavier dog!
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...engineers? Who you calling engine ears? These Spock like ears are what give me logical thoughts don't you know!
I just hope the OP finds a solution....Not sure putting the patio in the boot and over feeding the dog is the way forward though
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OK this is the problem. If I do change the tyres do I go for Pirelli Scorpion Verde's, Michelin All season or the Goodyear 4 Season has anyone out there got experience of running with them on. Secondly what difference will it make if I go for the standard 103 rating or upgrade to 107 XL's will these have stiffer walls or are they just uprated for load capacity ?
Will be most interested if anyone has the answer.
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I got this off the webb!
Mass on Spring Resonance
A mass on a spring has a single resonant frequency determined by its spring constant k and the mass m.So, change the mass with two paving slabs and the frequency of oscilation will change. It could improve it. It could make it worse. It could break the car suspension!!
It might be eaiser to just put all the heavy stuff n the car boot. Or not??
If only I was an expert!! Sometimes you just have to try it.
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Regardless of what tyre you decide on ( if that is indeed the issue) going up to 107 XL means you have a stiffer side wall hence the ability to carry more load.
So with that in mind, if whilst on your existing tyres you experiment with lower and higher tyre pressures you should get an indication of which way you need to go which will save wasting money on tyres if pressure changes do not change/cure it for you and it is model specific foible.
One thing you may have have to consider is that it is a relatively short wheel base vehicle.
I reckon you might get a XC60 definitive answer by registering and posting in the towing section of the Volvo forum as opposed to on here where you are hoping someone else with an XC60 spots your post.
I get the impression you suspect the tyres are not stiff enough giving you excessive pitching?
Out of curiosity:
what model XC60 have you got?
what size wheel and tyre profile is it fitted with?
what suspension is it fitted with? Standard or Nivomat self levelling or 4C active?
....and then some questions in relation into TonyB's thought pattern which is to preload the suspension to prevent excessive oscillations:
Does the sensation increase or decrease during a journey as your fuel load lessens?
Is the rear of the car laden with the heavy items such as awning etc.?
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The car is a D4 AWD automatic with standard suspension and 235/60 R18 103V tyres.
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Not quite sure what you mean by being compliant ?
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Phil & Mike, My XC60 is running on Falken FK510 SUV 235/60R18/107W and have done about 10k miles. Was away over the weekend (80 miles each way)and knowing this thread was happening played with tyre pressures. Not very scientific I know but going loaded with Mrs J's groceries, a few tinnes etc I had the tyres at 40 psi, coming back dropped them back to 35psi, obviously checked van pressures both ways. There was most definitely a difference in the ride, coming home was much more comfortable, most of the journey was on A roads, the one bit of motorway was about 20 miles and probably because I was looking out for it but with the harder tyres I definitely felt the 'lorry suck' a lot more than with slightly softer tyres.
Hope this helps!!..
Shame your not a bit closer as you would be more than welcome to have a tow with mine before you go down the new tyres route.
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Jacko, thanks for that I am considering changing tyres as everyone I speak to says the Conti's can give a bumpy ride so its either going to be Pirelli's or Michelins.
I tried lowering the pressure to normal running but didn't find a significant difference.
Just out of interest what is the MTPL of your caravan and do you have ATC fitted ?
Thanks again.
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P&M
MTPLM is 1550kg and yes its got ATC
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Well posted on the Volvo Xc60 forum and have only had two replies so I am waiting in anticipation, we will see if anything constructive is posted but not holding out much hope!!
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Morning Asda, when I checked I had posted on an independent Volvo forum, so have now joined the official Volvo forum and posted on the towing section.
Lets see if anyone can come up with a possible fix.
I am still considering changing the tyres as you first suggested and am waiting for a price from my tyre fitter. I have also looked at a couple of different vans with rear bathrooms and side island bed - its only money !!
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Morning Phil and Mike...
found your post....you've already had a reply so I will leave it alone, we are already conversing on here.
Before you spend your money on tyres.... Paul on the Volvo forum is correct, it cannot be tyres alone but they will contribute to it.
A correctly balanced set up of carefully laden van, a balanced nose weight, tow car tyres with some give in them, tow car not overladen....
Something for you to consider/ experiment with is nose weight. You say you are at 90kg, maximum for the tow bar. How is that measured? Spring loaded nose weight gauge, bathroom scales with wooden spar or digital nose weight gauge?
I ask because I found my original sprung loaded gauge was indicating over 10kg too low when checked against bathroom scales so I borrowed a mates digital nose weight gauge which mirrored that of the bathroom scale.
If you are happy your method of weighing the nose weight is accurate then what about considering dropping 5kg off...you can afford to go down to 82kg and still remain in the recommended 5 to 7 % of caravans MTPLM.
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As far as the nose weight is concerned I am using a Milenco "calibrated" gauge. I keep the van in storage so when I bring it back for its pre winter clean I will experiment with the bathroom scales as well.
As far as the tyres are concerned I do find that they give an uncomfortable even when not towing (except on motorways) so I may well change them anyway.
Another thing I am considering is changing to Calor Lite 6kg bottles so I can at least get two in the front locker. I know there was an issue with these a couple of years ago but my local supplier still has them and says they are readily available on a straight swap for my mine when empty.
Thanks for all the advice.
Mike
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A further update, I have just checked with Volvo about having Nivomat suspension and was told I could not do it as it would invalidate the warranty and Monroe load levelling shocks are not available for the XC60.
At least thats a few pounds saved !!!!
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Calor Lite bottles are only available as a straight swap for an empty Calor Lite bottle unfortunately. It's why I brought a Safefill cylinder.
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As reported by MollysMummy I was offered Calor Lite as a direct swap for my standard 6kg cylinders.
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I used to tow with a D5 XC60 and experienced dreadful pitching.
It was partly solved by ditching the awful Pirelli tyres for some Nokian tyres (a respected Finnish brand).
My present V60 is a far better tow car in my opinion.
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It was never completely solved to be honest. I didn't really get on with the XC60 (it was a 6 speed manual and the gear ratios were poorly chosen).
I got offered a good deal on my V60 (it has the later 215bhp D5 engine) and is auto so I jumped at the chance of changing. It tows better than the XC60 in my opinion, and that's with the same Coachman van with a MTPLM of 1500kg or so.
The tyres were the same load rating, I can't remember what exactly.
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i can only quote what I was told by the Calor agent who took the information from Calor's website, may be we both misunderstood it.
I had actually wanted to buy a second Calor Lite cylinder but was told that they could only be exchanged for an empty Lite cylinder, hence the Safefill purchase.
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Its a bit disconcerting to know you didn't completely resolve the issue but did the pitching problem improve significantly or just a bit ?
The issue I now have is do I change the tyres. I have been on the Michelin Tyres web site and when you put all the information about the car in it recommends Cross Climate but at a weight rating of 107W as opposed to the current rating of 103V. I know the letter is only a speed rating and obviously W is higher but will the extra load rating give a stiffer side wall, I guess it will giving a harder ride, which almost defeats the reason for the change ? Michelin do make a Cross Climate rated at 103 so do I just go with that ?
Will I ever get this resolved or do I change the car or the van or just live with it, although the dog won't be happy !!! Where do you stop trying all the different possible options ? Experimenting with different loadings and hitch weights is straight forward but I suppose you have to set a limit on how money you spend.
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Hi asda 160, sorry for the late reply have been away (not in the caravan).
After trying everything including loading the caravan with 4 25kg bags of cement over the axle and trying lots of different options we decided to sell the car !!!!!! The problem was never really resolved and we found the boot space a bit small. Are well you live and learn but still have not decided what to get next ?????
The joys of caravanning.
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