Bx towing capacity

[rutter123]

A bx weighs approx 1000kg give or take..
So safe capacity braked trailer = 850kg at 85%
So bx + 4 people, boot full of stuff, full tank, 2dogs = 350kg ish (1350kg)
Does this mean I can pull 1150kg (approx)?

[Pcheaven]

Lot of info here

viewtopic.php?t=401

[Tim Leech]

Its a case of not having the tail wagging the dog so to speak,

A bx will self level and pull most big caravans but I would stick to one at 850kgs or less.

[Kitch]

It goes by MAM (maximum authorised mass). Your VIN plate will have the numbers to calculate it (though it's all done on plated weight, not actual weight; For example, you can't legally tow a 3500kg rated trailer with a BX, even if it's empty.

[Pcheaven]

There are towing specs in the Haynes manuals.
Though I don’t know if the legality of these have changed
It was printed 30 years ago !

Can get a photo if it helps.

[white exec]

Its a case of not having the tail wagging the dog so to speak,
A bx will self level and pull most big caravans but I would stick to one at 850kgs or less.

Good advice.
That's exactly what we did, going for an 850kg Swift Corniche.
Car boot carried a good bit of the heavier stuff; blade-type stabiliser for good measure.

The self-levelling was immaculate - but you need to be careful when you park up, hitched, and put the van's jockey-wheel/legs down. If left like that, the car can sink, and end up hanging its rear end from the tow-hitch – not good. We carried a short length of wood to pop under the tow-ball, to take the car's rear-end weight.

[rutter123]

I've been offered a free caravan from a family member who can no longer do the travelling to site (in Bere Regis) due to illness, its ULW is 930kg with gross at 1200kg or thereabouts, its a Sprite single axle.
The other option is to use my daughters Nissan Duke 1.6 as a tow vehicle.

[white exec]

Too heavy for the lightweight BX, alas.

One of the things we learned the hard way, towing a caravan, was that even new standard car tyres are just not up to the job on a single-axle caravan. We went through two 'van tyres in the space of a week, while in Spain/Portugal. Apparently, the loading/stress on tyres on a 'van is more severe than the same ones on a car. Cure (and Caravan Club advice) is simply to use 5-ply (reinforced) tyres. We switched to some 5-ply Avons, and end of problem. Even more important with a heavier 'van.

[rutter123]

It goes by MAM (maximum authorised mass). Your VIN plate will have the numbers to calculate it (though it's all done on plated weight, not actual weight; For example, you can't legally tow a 3500kg rated trailer with a BX, even if it's empty.

But we've all done it haven't we?

[Kitch]

It goes by MAM (maximum authorised mass). Your VIN plate will have the numbers to calculate it (though it's all done on plated weight, not actual weight; For example, you can't legally tow a 3500kg rated trailer with a BX, even if it's empty.

But we've all done it haven't we?

I did. Got tugged by the old bill, too

[rutter123]

Towing capacity?

Or

How much have you towed?

[white exec]

Just give any of us a loaded canal barge, a length of rope, and a decent towpath

[Kaapelimies]

I have to admit that the brakes on a BX don't quite measure for a 3500kg trailer with 250kg on the hook. While trying to stop when reversing (when the trailers brakes don't work).. Lucky it was on flat, and just 20 meters but boy, you had to push the pedal like no before!

[rutter123]

So this issue may be solved
Up for sale locally
Volvo v50 2.0d 55 plate estate in black 6sp manual
Things I didn't know about said car
It is underneath a Ford C max
It has a psa derived engine with many volvo improvements
Full service history
2 owners
Nothing to shout about on mot history mainly wear and tear
Seems to have been well cared for
Mileage is 170k don't know if this good or bad thing
Know nothing about volvos
Any advice....
This is a non dpf model.

[tom]

Well if it is underneath a C max, the roof rack must be good and sturdy.
I find from bitter experience that at around 150,000 miles, common rail diesels start to become a chore to own, prone to lots of expensively untraceable faults, so I wouldn't.