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Topic ClosedHitch on Volvo XC90
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cody91 View Drop Down
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Posts: 184 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Hitch on Volvo XC90
    Posted: 20 Feb 2014 at 12:04am
I'm in the process of getting my TV ready for an Rpod that I am planning to purchase.

I currently have a Volvo XC90 and the top of the hitch receiver is about 14 inches above the ground.

Is there anything else I will need to configure/add to the hitch in order to tow an Rpod?
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Boomertype View Drop Down
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Posts: 108 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Feb 2014 at 12:24am
Does it have a tow package?
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furpod View Drop Down
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Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Feb 2014 at 9:27am
Are you going to use a weight distributing hitch? sway control? What model are you going to get? Does the pod have risers? All of those effect the answer.

I see the XC appears to have a 5000lb tow rating. So that should not be a problem, but it also has a fairly short wheelbase.. that can be.

Do you already have a brake controller and 7 pin plug installed?
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cody91 View Drop Down
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Posts: 184 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Feb 2014 at 10:35am
Originally posted by Boomertype

Does it have a tow package?

 
No tow package.  Just a straight up Hidden Hitch.

 
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cody91 View Drop Down
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Posts: 184 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Feb 2014 at 10:36am
Originally posted by furpod

Are you going to use a weight distributing hitch? sway control? What model are you going to get? Does the pod have risers? All of those effect the answer.

I see the XC appears to have a 5000lb tow rating. So that should not be a problem, but it also has a fairly short wheelbase.. that can be.

Do you already have a brake controller and 7 pin plug installed?
 
Not planning to use a WDH or sway/friction unless needed.  Getting the 178 with risers.  I'm having a BC installed this weekend.
 
Thanks.
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Sleepless View Drop Down
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Posts: 556 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Feb 2014 at 11:33am
The 14 inches to the top of the receiver seems low, especially if your pod is coming with risers.  My receiver was higher, and even then I ended up purchasing a WDH which I adjusted upward to match the level height of the pod's coupler.  With risers, my WDH hitch had to be adjusted several inches higher than 14.  Once you receive your pod, it will be obvious if you need to increase the height.

Bob
2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD)
2009 Chevrolet Avalanche
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furpod View Drop Down
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Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Feb 2014 at 11:58am
Ok.. what year volvo, and what engine?

I note for 2014, they only have a 3970lb tow rating max, less if you have an "R" model..

and the 5000lb tow rating was on an earlier model WITH tow package...
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cody91 View Drop Down
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Posts: 184 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Feb 2014 at 12:17pm
Originally posted by furpod

Ok.. what year volvo, and what engine?

I note for 2014, they only have a 3970lb tow rating max, less if you have an "R" model..

and the 5000lb tow rating was on an earlier model WITH tow package...
 
It's an 07 with a 6 cylinder.  From what I understand, it has a 5000lb tow rating.  It's same if it was a 8 cylinder.  No tow package.  Just a hitch.
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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Feb 2014 at 3:12pm
According to the Edmunds.com specs the 2007 XC90 with 3.2L 4cy engine had a tow rating of 3970 "when adequately equipped". This usually implied a towing package including a transmission oil cooler and maybe beefed up suspension and/or hitch. The RP-178 is listed at 2535#, but my 172 came in several hundres pounds over their catalog weight when the A/C, Micro, Riser, TV, etc. were added. I would guess the fully equiped empty 178 might come in at 2900#. This "as built" weight will be stated on a little yellow label on the trailer when delivered. By the time you add people, full propane tank(s), battery(s), stocks, camping gear, etc. you will be very close to the maximum rated vehicle towing capacity. You will definitely need the towing package components and a WDH. For that I recommend the E2 600/6000 that many podders use.

When I was towing my 172 (with risers) with a 2010 Honda 4WD Pilot using the E2 WDH the ball mounting surface was 18" above ground. The top of the receiver was 20" and the top of the ball was 20.75" above ground. Starting with a receiver at 14" will definitely require raising the ball. Fortunately this is built in to most WDHs
Charlie
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OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD
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cody91 View Drop Down
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Posts: 184 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Feb 2014 at 3:21pm
Originally posted by CharlieM

According to the Edmunds.com specs the 2007 XC90 with 3.2L 4cy engine had a tow rating of 3970 "when adequately equipped". This usually implied a towing package including a transmission oil cooler and maybe beefed up suspension and/or hitch. The RP-178 is listed at 2535#, but my 172 came in several hundres pounds over their catalog weight when the A/C, Micro, Riser, TV, etc. were added. I would guess the fully equiped empty 178 might come in at 2900#. This "as built" weight will be stated on a little yellow label on the trailer when delivered. By the time you add people, full propane tank(s), battery(s), stocks, camping gear, etc. you will be very close to the maximum rated vehicle towing capacity. You will definitely need the towing package components and a WDH. For that I recommend the E2 600/6000 that many podders use.

When I was towing my 172 (with risers) with a 2010 Honda 4WD Pilot using the E2 WDH the ball mounting surface was 18" above ground. The top of the receiver was 20" and the top of the ball was 20.75" above ground. Starting with a receiver at 14" will definitely require raising the ball. Fortunately this is built in to most WDHs
 
Charlie,

Thanks for the response and the information on the E2 600/6000.  I will definitely look into that.
 
It seems to me that the Edmunds information may be incorrect. It seems that Edmunds has a very large database of vehicles to maintain.  There's actually a very comprehensive table in on my XC90 manual that stipulates the the max tow rating of the XC 90 per model and per occupant.  The max tow rating was also verified by my dealer who felt I did not need the tow package for a 3000lb trailer for this model.

 
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