I'm preparing for a cross country trip in a few months with my wife and we're trying to figure out the best car for us.

We like the older 240 wagons but also have a friend with a good 740 for sale.

Question is, what should we know about towing?

We would have a Yakima rack with cargo topper, and this trailer http://www.uhaul.com/Reservations/Eq....aspx?model=UV

Which is a small 4X8 trailer.

Can we tow this with either vehicle? How about auto tranny?

Any tips would be great.

We will drive from Portland Or to Philly Pa, take about a week doing it. We don't mind going nice and slow, thats the point of the drive.

We're also considering if it might makes sense to just buy a van, but we like the old Volvos so........

thanks!

mark

 

There's been some really good threads started on the subject recently. Essentially, it does not sound as though you'll be emulating the Grapes of Wrath so checking/servicing the usual should be sufficient. Brakes, transmission, cooling system. If you are pulling sufficcient weight such that it "pushes" the car when braking then you will not want to drive in overdrive w/ an automatic or stick. Here's an extended thread with some comments https://volvoforums.com/forum/showth...ghlight=towing

 

At a GVM of 2500 lbs, that trailer will pose no problem to either Volvo you mention.
I would service the car, bleed brakes and have transmission fluid changed.
I also think aftermarket trans coolers are a must, stock trans coolers are at best marginal in every day driving.
The auto boxes will tow in OD just fine, contrary to popular misbelief, with the proviso that you change down on hills etc.