Posted on 28/10/2017 19:23
Hi all we are returning to caravanning after a few years motorhoming. We have just boughtanew Lunar caravan weighing 1360kgs. We are thinking of buying a 59 plate Volvo V70 2.0 litre diesel with 136 bhp. Has anyone any experience towing with one if these cars. All comments welcome
Thanks
Posted on 28/10/2017 21:55
Hi Francis, we've towed a Unicorn S1 - MPTLM 1565 with a 2012 V70 D5 R-design for the last 4 1/2 yrs & found it to be an excellent tow car. Ours is 215 bhp, but the torque is 440Nm, and it's the torque figure that means it has never felt lacking. It has also been a very stable tow.
Ours is a 85% match using the MPTLM of 1565 & the Mass in Service of 1829 from the V5. The nose weight for ours is 90Kg, but I think the model you're looking at may only be 75? If you want to find all the figures for the model you're considering, have a look at the Volvo website for the relevant owners manual. You'll find all the necessary info in there apart from the mass in service (kerb weight in old money).
We're just about to change to an XC70, mainly due to my wife finding the R-design a very harsh ride solo, which aggravates her joint pain. Ironically this is probably the reason it's been such an excellent tow car - stiff suspension & low profile tyres!! I'll be very sorry to see the V70 go, 
but hopefully the comfort and added benefit of AWD will soften the blow.
If the weights and figures work for you, I think you'll find the V70 an excellent choice.
Paul
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Posted on 29/10/2017 18:51
Another V70 fan here. We have a MY2010 V70 SEL 2.4D Geartronic.
Bought it as a 3 year old 4 years ago and have towed a couple of caravans around 1500/1400Kg. The car is a good choice for towing in my opinion. We've done a couple of trips down to the South coast of Spain in winter and all over Europe in summer, and the car has been a joy. I would say the 2.0L engine should be fine for 1360Kg. You cannot fit a full sized spare in the wheel well of the Phase 3 version, but the space saver is ok for towing (I have written confirmation from Volvo technical of this).
Posted on 31/10/2017 12:04
I had a 2006 V70 that pulled a Bailey Senator Arizona, a 2010 V70 that pulled an Abbey 418 GTS and a Unicorn Valencia after that. All the caravans were around the 1400-1475 mtplm. Great tow cars and pulled with ease but they were both 2.4 litre d5 engines, as is my current V60. So the car will be rock solid but I haven't any experience of the 2.0 litre engine.
Francis
Caravanner from Ayrshire