Is putting a trailer hitch on my Volvo a bad idea?

Question

I will only use it occasionally, but it beats renting a van to move large items such as furniture.

Answer 1

Putting on a hitch, if installed correctly, will not hurt your car. What you tow (how much weight and what aerodynamic profile) may. You don not say what year or model of Volvo. The owners manual (if you have one) will say what the towing capacity is. DO NOTexceed this recommendation and if you are at its upper limit and towing something aerodynamically challenged.... TAKE IT EASY! No rapid acceleration (like you even could), no sudden stops(good luck), no long hill climbs and no driving in very hot weather. Proper maintenance is a must and don't let it overheat. A friend of mine had an older Volvo wagon that we towed approximately 1200 pounds for years to go dirt bike riding. It towed that weight along with a full load of gear in the car with no problems. It's all in what you tow, how you go about towing it, and what the vehicle is rated to tow by the manufacturer.

Answer 2

I have put a hitch on every vehicle I owned since I sold the VW Beetle and the school bus. I even put a hitch on the front of a G10 van to maneuver awkward trailers in my driveway.
Renting a big trailer for a move of bulky items is much cheaper and handier to load than a box van, but there is always the trade off of load and driving awkwardness. We were only going ten miles with the sofa, etc., open trailer, lower speeds. The piano in the closed trailer behind a Toyota Carolla was carefully positioned for balance, but the 35 mile per hour head wind on a two lane highway meant pulling over to let 3-8 vehicles accumulated behind me go past.

Answer 3

If the owners manual lists a safe towing limit then it should be OK. Just follow the directions.

As a general statement I don't think putting a trailer hitch on any front wheel drive vehicle is a good idea. But the manufacturer should have the final word on the subject.

Is your Volvo rear wheel drive?

Answer 4

to find a trailer hitch for a Volvo will be a chore. They are special order items. I do not know what model Volvo you have but most can only tow 1000 lbs or less. Check your local U-haul company store. They are the nations hitch experts. They sell and install more hitches then anyone else. I have run car dealers and that who we use and you have a nationwide warranty in case you move.

Answer 5

Are you kidding? Volvos should be excellent towing vehicles. Before the SUV craze, nobody owned a truck unless they were a tradesman. So most people towed with full size, rear-wheel-drive sedans. The Volvo is one of the few still on the market today.

Check your owner's manual and see what's safe to tow, and what rating of hitch you should have, and any other precautions.

The essential thing about towing is to realize at all times that you are NOT driving your familiar car - you are driving a "rig". Expect it to be very different and unforgiving.

Answer 6

I work for a company in CT that installs hitches on cars everyday. I would just make sure you get the right hitch for your car, do not exceed the max towing weight recommended for your car, and have a transmission cooler installed if your car is an automatic as any extra towing weight even a little is more than your transmission is set up to tow. It will be worth the extra $100.00 or so to save your Tranny

Answer 7

depends on what size yoyur engine is....passenger cars are typically not meant to haul stuff. You could check the owners manual to see how much the load capacity is, you could also ask the dealership how much load it can haul. One thing to consider is if you drive it for a large distance with a trailer and a heavy load the transmission may not be able to handle that. goodluck

Answer 8

Possibly. It can run down the battery. My dad put a plow on his new truck (it's a big truck, too) and it was too much for the battery so it died so it might not be too great of an idea unless you want to buy a new battery. and very possibly look like a moron