Am relatively new owner of my first Volvo 94 850 wagon base model (no turbo). Am moving from Maine to CA in July and have been told it's ok to tow the 5x8 uhaul trailer with basic household goods inside (max towing 3000lbs). Does this sound likely? Vehicle runs great, bought from original owner and don't want to overload the car or cause damage.
Towing with 94 850 base wagon
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Re: Towing with 94 850 base wagon (MaineDawn)
I have the same car.
If it is an automatic, just be careful of the transmission. Change the trans fluid before the trip, and maybe even during the trip.
Be careful in the rockies on the ups (transmission) and the descents. check/replace the pads and/or rotors before the trip. Maybe on some of the longer descents.
This all came from a mechanic. i never ended up with a hitch on my wagon, tho.
I have the same car.
If it is an automatic, just be careful of the transmission. Change the trans fluid before the trip, and maybe even during the trip.
Be careful in the rockies on the ups (transmission) and the descents. check/replace the pads and/or rotors before the trip. Maybe on some of the longer descents.
This all came from a mechanic. i never ended up with a hitch on my wagon, tho.
Re: Towing with 94 850 base wagon (MaineDawn)
that'll be no problem. Only problem with these wagons is tongue wait, if it's not too high then they can tow like a big rig.
For instance, we have a 20ft boat with a 350lb tongue wait on the trailer. It was a little much for it especially with cargo and people in the back, but we trailered that boat on a 8hr trip up north there and back with no problems. That's keeping it under 110km/h and being VERY easy on the throttle and on hills. BUT, about a year later, the rear shocks were shot which we think was a direct link to towing the boat. But we already installed a hitch on the XC70 at that point so it didn't matter.
But a Uhaul trailer should be no problem at all. Go easy on the little NA though, they can barely move their own weight
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that'll be no problem. Only problem with these wagons is tongue wait, if it's not too high then they can tow like a big rig.
For instance, we have a 20ft boat with a 350lb tongue wait on the trailer. It was a little much for it especially with cargo and people in the back, but we trailered that boat on a 8hr trip up north there and back with no problems. That's keeping it under 110km/h and being VERY easy on the throttle and on hills. BUT, about a year later, the rear shocks were shot which we think was a direct link to towing the boat. But we already installed a hitch on the XC70 at that point so it didn't matter.
But a Uhaul trailer should be no problem at all. Go easy on the little NA though, they can barely move their own weight
Re: Towing with 94 850 base wagon (MaineDawn)
Why not just rent a truck and pull the car AND the stuff? I don't think a 15 year-old 5 cylinder was designed to serve as a 3000 mile towing rig.
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Prolong the life of the old girl and pull it. It's not much cheaper to drive it.
Why not just rent a truck and pull the car AND the stuff? I don't think a 15 year-old 5 cylinder was designed to serve as a 3000 mile towing rig.
Re: Towing with 94 850 base wagon (King Tut)
We initially were renting a truck and towing the car. Cost of truck rental before tow dolly $1500+. Cost of trailer & installed hitch $800. It's a very small move, and money talks. After the relocation repairs/maintenance will be possible if needed from the trip.
Had the car re-inspected last week. Brakes & rotors are new, transmission & cooling system being flushed this week. Shocks in good order (are less than a year old). Neither of us are in any rush to get the trip over, we won't necessarily be zooming down the highway. Max # of miles driven each day is 400.
We initially were renting a truck and towing the car. Cost of truck rental before tow dolly $1500+. Cost of trailer & installed hitch $800. It's a very small move, and money talks. After the relocation repairs/maintenance will be possible if needed from the trip.
Had the car re-inspected last week. Brakes & rotors are new, transmission & cooling system being flushed this week. Shocks in good order (are less than a year old). Neither of us are in any rush to get the trip over, we won't necessarily be zooming down the highway. Max # of miles driven each day is 400.
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