Yeah, we've talked about this before and the only thing I can assume (probably incorrectly, lol) is that there is more concern from a liability perspective why the tow limits are so significantly different between US and Euro specs.

We went down the trailer rabbit hole a few years ago and the Bambi is a nice unit - just realize the 3,500 lbs is dry weight, so you'd need to add whatever you're bringing - fuel, water, food, clothes, other stuff to that number, so another few hundred pounds.

The big number where the Volvo falls short is the tongue weight rating of only 165 lbs, which is really hardly anything. Just by comparison, the Bambi tongue weight is 430 lbs I think so you'd be at double the rating of the car - not good.

Posters either from the US or Europe will tell you that they've towed 4,000 lb trailers with no issue but it's way outside Volvo's limits in the US and I'd always be a little concerned if I had an accident that wasn't even my fault that I'd be held responsible at least partially because I was exceeding the listed limits of the vehicle.

In the end, we've looked into towing with our XC60 or XC70 and eventually resigned ourselves to getting a tow vehicle if we were to go in that direction. I'd probably get a Toyota pickup.

 

Time to start looking at teardrop trailers. Not as "classic" as an Airstream but definitely trendy these days.

 

Teardrops are nice but they're really just a hard shelled tent that you just lay down in and sleep, can't stand up in them - for $15k, lol.

 

Informative....

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Hi, everybody
We just bought a 2009 XC70 T6 having in mind towing a Bambi in the future.
Looking for info about the XC70 towing capabilities I found in instagram this couple: @the.silver.rooster
As you can see they are all-time travelers with a XC and a Bambi. They were also so nice, after sending them a private message for info, to share with me this web: www.canamrv.ca where I have found a lot of interesting info.
Hope it helps!

 

where's @JaredR ?

 

Consider total weight of XC70 + gear + passengers + trailer. Then consider breaking capacity and limits. IMO, a Bambi behind a XC70 is very doable so long as you are very concious of braking; both over heating and brain threshold under full load. Consider performance pads and Dot 6 synthetic brake fluid to increase boiling point.

 

In your situation, I'd look into the P2 XC90 front brake upgrade as well.

 

^Trans cooler too.

 

Would love to hear from someone who has put a trans cooler on the P3. I'm a bit stumped by the rigid plastic hoses to and from tranny.

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You first Airstream?

 

Hi, everybody.
Thanks for your answers.
Last year we bought a 19 feet 3.200 lb trailer for the summer because we have family coming to visit us and we planned showing them Grand Canyon, Arches NP, Canyonlands NP and Colorado through a road trip. We towed it with our 2000 VW Eurovan Westfalia syncro diesel. We learned two things: First that we need a more powerful vehicle for the Colorado uphills (huge uphills). Second that a powerfull brake system is needed for the downhills (and city traffic driving as well) because even with an electric brake controller sometimes I didn´t feel so confortable.

So, we decided to look for a second family car and the XC70 is a type of car we know and love because we owned a diesel one in Spain few years ago. We found a 2009 T6 in really good shape and we bought it. So, the uphill problem is solved. About downhills... After testing a trailer with hydraulic brakes I found the answer to my concerns. The safety feeling of that improvement is like driving a totally different trailer.

And now we are thinking about an Airstream Bambi 22FB or fiber travel trailer (Scamp, Casita...) because my wife wants something more confortable after so many years traveling with the van and the facilities for traveling with a trailer here in USA.

I have yet installed the hitch in the XC70 (oem part 31359467) but I´m very confused about the number part for the wiring harness because I find like different options: 4 pins, 4/7 pins, 13 pins... Anybody could please help me with that?

Thanks in advance so everybody in this awesome forum.

Happy new year!!!!!

 

I have yet installed the hitch in the XC70 (oem part 31359467) but I´m very confused about the number part for the wiring harness because I find like different options: 4 pins, 4/7 pins, 13 pins... Anybody could please help me with that?

I think the 13-pin connector is European. I gather the 7-pin connector is one of the more common for bigger American trailers. The 4-pin is the standard for little trailers (and what I use until I get around to wiring my trailers with a 7-pin connector.

I used the 4/7-pin connector on my car, part number 31346065, and was around $90 when I bought it. It has both connectors next to each other, both with attached covers. I used an aftermarket hitch, so I had to use a universal mount and that worked fine. I think the OE hitch has a mount already.

There's more info in the sticky at the top of the forum, and If you search "trailer" and my username with the advanced search, you'll find a decent bit of info too, but let me know if there's anything unclear and I'll do my best to help.

Good luck!

 

Does anyone know if the Volvo hitch, 31359467, is a 1.25” or 2” receive?

 

I agree 100% with @Wayne_T5. Pulling a big, heavy trailer like the Bambi safely under all conditions calls for a RWD or 4x4 truck up front. If you start cutting corners (like exceeding the tongue weight of the lead vehicle, and the maximum tow weight), it won't feel good driving it....the combined vehicle will feel unstable. Not to mention your insurance coverage could be derated in case of an accident or damage to the car.

If her heart is set on the Bambi, I think your best bet is to look for a used truck matched to the job.

 

According to the spec, you can't.

But according to what other users have done, and how reliably other users have done it, you should be fine to do it.

 

I think you'll find the success of this vehicle-trailer pairing is terrain-dependent. So it depends on where you're planning to take vacations in the Bambi...flatlands OK....mountainous terrain or unpaved roads, not really suitable.

 

Hi~~

I'm wondering if you decided to pull that trailer or if you gave up on the idea. If so, how's it working?

I have a 2012 XC70 T6 Polestar and I'm curious about pulling a small Lance trailer, dry weight 2775.

Any ideas are greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Katie

 

Hi~~

I'm wondering if you decided to pull that trailer or if you gave up on the idea. If so, how's it working?

I have a 2012 XC70 T6 Polestar and I'm curious about pulling a small Lance trailer, dry weight 2775.

Any ideas are greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Katie

You shouldn’t have any issues towing that with your XC.