I have just purchased a bailey 510/4 2002 model and this is my first caravan.I have been familiarising myself with the van since I purchased but I have not towed as yet.The car I will be towing it with is a volvo s60 2ltr turbo petrol manual.Is this a suitable towing vehicle I have checked weights etc but just wondering if any member tows with same vehicle and how does it perform?
Are you sure that the kerbweight is 1565 kgs. as this weight seems more likely to be the kerbweight of the 2.0 diesel and not the petrol. What year of model is the Volvo S60?
I have checked the kerbweight of the 2.0 diesel which is 1571 kgs. which is very near to 1565 kgs. so it seems that this kerbweight is actually for the diesel version plus the diesel has 163 BHP and engine torque of 265 Lbs./ft. which is much greater than that of the petrol version.
The car will tow the caravan with power to spare, the torque figures for turbo petrol are not far behind those of the diesel. Fuel consumption for petrol will be somewhat higher than diesel but extra fuel costs might still be cheaper than changing car.
The car will tow the caravan with power to spare, the torque figures for turbo petrol are not far behind those of the diesel. Fuel consumption for petrol will be somewhat higher than diesel but extra fuel costs might still be cheaper than changing car.
You say that the petrol version is not far behind the diesel with power to spare but the torque figures prove that it is. 265 Lbs./ft. (diesel) in comparison to 177 Lbs./ft. (petrol) is 88 Lbs./ft. so it seems quite a huge difference to me and that's from towing experience. I have towed with a 2 berth caravan with a diesel with only 177 Lbs./ft. and although it's okay on the flat it struggled even on the small incines so where does the power to spare come from? It's a known fact that petrol versions lack that pulling power in comparison to diesel power so the advice given is not practical I'm afraid especially to someone who has never towed before.
Its actually 236lbs/ft(petrol)plays 295ft/lbs diesel. The op will find 240hp turbo petrol will tow his caravan ok. You can find current engine specs here check relevant boxes to compare both engines. The fuel consumption will be pretty ruinous though so its up to him to do the maths to see if its worth changing to a diesel. A diesel might do 30mpg or better towing whereas petrol may only be around 20mpg.
thanks for replies all i wanted to know will it tow the Bailey ok .It seems that it will be fine however a little heavy on juice.I will be changing vehicle later in year and will be looking for a diesel 4x4.So the volvo will do for this year.
------------- Never argue with an idiot, they will bring you down to their level then beat you on experience.
Land Rover Freelander 2 & 2014 Lunar Quasar 554
Quote: Originally posted by Andy 2480 on 14/1/2013
No particular reason just want something more suitable for towing.
Fair enough and as Scar has rightly pointed out, "...because he (you) can".
I was curious only from the point of view that some folk get hung on the thought that only a 4x4 will do the job. My colleague went down the 4x4 route, found it impractical for his solo use and after much discussion and 'research', changed it for a Skoda Superb which has happened to prove itself a better towcar all round for him.
So, didn't mean to start a debate (I'm neither for or against either way), but intrigued none-the-less.
I tow with a 2005 S60 D5 deisel 2.4 and its kerbweight is 1515, i pull a bailey senator california no problem. Its close to 97% but is really stable and car has power to spare although the back tends to sit a little low due to an already low ride height [a common problem]