Towing concern 2004 xc90
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Towing concern 2004 xc90
I would appreciate help from anyone that has had experience towing with an XC90 particularly a 2004. I have a front wheel drive. My manual states that the vehicle will tow 1650 pounds without trailer brakes and 3790 with trailer brakes.
The problem is that Volvo does not make a control unit that will that can be activated from the Volvo. My local UHAUL dealer will not do the electrical wiring for the tow hitch because they have had so many problems resulting in a domino effect resulting in so many costly repairs for their Volvo customers.
I have found someone who is willing to do the work....but he suggested I consider a trailer with hydraulic surge brakes instead of electric controlled by the Volvo driver compartment. I will be buying a new trailer and using it 3 days a week driving short distances less than 50 miles (1 day towing 1500 and 2 towing possibly as much as 3790 capacity....using trailer 6 mo9nths per year.
CAN YOU PLEASE PROVIDE ADVICE BASED UPON YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH ELECTRIC OR HYDRAULIC SURGE TRAILER BRAKES. I AM EXTREMELY INTERESTED IN ANYONE THAT HAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL REPAIRS RESULTING FROM INSTALLER AN ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTOLLER IN THE VOLVO XC90. Many thanks......desterre
The problem is that Volvo does not make a control unit that will that can be activated from the Volvo. My local UHAUL dealer will not do the electrical wiring for the tow hitch because they have had so many problems resulting in a domino effect resulting in so many costly repairs for their Volvo customers.
I have found someone who is willing to do the work....but he suggested I consider a trailer with hydraulic surge brakes instead of electric controlled by the Volvo driver compartment. I will be buying a new trailer and using it 3 days a week driving short distances less than 50 miles (1 day towing 1500 and 2 towing possibly as much as 3790 capacity....using trailer 6 mo9nths per year.
CAN YOU PLEASE PROVIDE ADVICE BASED UPON YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH ELECTRIC OR HYDRAULIC SURGE TRAILER BRAKES. I AM EXTREMELY INTERESTED IN ANYONE THAT HAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL REPAIRS RESULTING FROM INSTALLER AN ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTOLLER IN THE VOLVO XC90. Many thanks......desterre
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 107
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From: Fenton, MI
I towed a boat with my 2005 2.5t XC90 for a few seasons. Quick answer is the Volvo performed amazingly well. Below is an FYI post I put on this forum that should answer a lot of your questions...
https://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-...wd-xc90-78524/
My trailer had mechanical surge brakes. So essentially the "brake pedal" is in the tongue of the trailer. So your Volvo slows, trailer pushes into the Volvo, engages "brake pedal" and engages the brakes. That system worked great for me. Personally, this is the ideal situation especially with the lack of Volvo brake control support.
The wiring harness I used was VERY easy to install. Everything was quick connectors. So I could essentially splice everything by just unplugging the existing wiring and inserting the trailer wiring. I then just routed that out the tailgate. I would avoid anything that involves cutting wires and splicing. Things get pretty gnarly pretty quick that way. I will say, a 2004 might be different but it worked great for my 2005.
https://amzn.com/B0031GAJC4
IMHO sticking with surge brakes is the way to go. Easier, effective, less electrical hassle and pop up campers usually aren't big enough to warrant those more complex systems.
https://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-...wd-xc90-78524/
My trailer had mechanical surge brakes. So essentially the "brake pedal" is in the tongue of the trailer. So your Volvo slows, trailer pushes into the Volvo, engages "brake pedal" and engages the brakes. That system worked great for me. Personally, this is the ideal situation especially with the lack of Volvo brake control support.
The wiring harness I used was VERY easy to install. Everything was quick connectors. So I could essentially splice everything by just unplugging the existing wiring and inserting the trailer wiring. I then just routed that out the tailgate. I would avoid anything that involves cutting wires and splicing. Things get pretty gnarly pretty quick that way. I will say, a 2004 might be different but it worked great for my 2005.
https://amzn.com/B0031GAJC4
IMHO sticking with surge brakes is the way to go. Easier, effective, less electrical hassle and pop up campers usually aren't big enough to warrant those more complex systems.
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