Towing a trailer

The towbar allows you to tow a trailer with your car. Be sure to familiarise yourself with towing features, such as trailer mode, and any relevant safety issues.

 Important

If you have a retractable towbar installed, it must always be retracted when not in use.

Before towing a trailer, consider how this will affect your journey. Make a thorough assessment based on your car's capabilities.

Trailer mode is automatically enabled when you connect a trailer to the car.

  • Keep in mind that the car performs differently with added weight at the rear. This affects both handling and power usage. Expect a notable reduction in range when towing a trailer.
  • Only use trailers in good working condition that comply with local regulations.
  • Make sure you have read the separate section covering loading recommendations.

 Note

Maximum permitted trailer weights

The stated maximum permitted trailer weights are those permitted by Volvo. National vehicle regulations can further limit permissible trailer weights and speeds. Your towbar may be certified for a higher towing weight than the car can actually tow.

Towing preparations

Increase the tyre pressure to the recommended pressure for a full load. This applies regardless of the trailer weight.
Deploy the towbar and attach the trailer.
It's advisable to check that the trailer lights are in good working order.

Driving with a trailer

Make sure trailer mode is enabled. This happens automatically when the car senses that a trailer is properly connected.
Read the recommendations for driving with a trailer thoroughly before you start driving.

 Important

While driving

  • Maintain a low speed when driving with a trailer up long, steep ascents.
  • Avoid driving with a trailer on inclines of more than 12%.
  • The additional load increases the risk of overheating, which will be indicated in the driver display. Follow any instructions shown.
  • Avoid parking on an incline if possible. The extra weight of the trailer can affect the parking brake's ability to securely hold the car. If you cannot avoid parking on an incline, be sure to block the wheels1 as a precaution.

Snaking

Snaking is a phenomenon that can occur when towing a trailer. It causes the car and trailer to resonate in a side-to-side motion, which can escalate quickly and cause loss of control. Snaking primarily occurs at high speeds, especially if the trailer load is too heavy or improperly distributed. The car continually monitors its movement and can intervene to help the driver regain control if it detects snaking.

Factors that introduce sideways motion can trigger snaking. For example:
  • Sudden gusts and powerful side winds.
  • Uneven road surfaces.
  • Sweeping steering wheel movements from side to side.

Trailer stability assistance

The stability control system2 intervenes if it detects snaking when towing a trailer. The system precisely times individual braking actions for the front wheels to mitigate the snaking phenomenon. This is often enough to help the driver stabilise the car and trailer.

When the stability control system intervenes to suppress snaking, the electronic stability control symbol is shown in the driver display.

Electronic stability control symbol
Electronic stability control symbol
  1. 1 If you do not have wheel chocks, you can use large stones or wooden blocks instead.
  2. 2 Electronic Stability Control (ESC)