740 GLE Auto

[Mike J]

Hi Guy's.
This might sound like a right stupid question but there is a good reason for
it.
OK. I have this vehicle (now off the road) and I wish to use it to shunt a
caravan up an incline & into a tight space.
Although it's fitted with a rear towing assembly, pushing the van to where I
want it would make life a lot easier.
I already have another towing vehicle so I just want to use the Volvo as a
type of cheap winch.
I have inspected the front bumper and seen that behind the plastic covering,
there is a substantial "U" shaped
piece of steel not unlike an 'RSJ'.
What are your thoughts on bolting a tow ball on this to push the van into
it's allocated space, (which is very difficult in reverse)
due to the restricted area & impossible to man handle it. ?

I told you it was stupid ;-))

Regards.
Mike (UK)

 

[James Sweet]

Hi Guy's.
This might sound like a right stupid question but there is a good reason
for it.
OK. I have this vehicle (now off the road) and I wish to use it to shunt a
caravan up an incline & into a tight space.
Although it's fitted with a rear towing assembly, pushing the van to where
I want it would make life a lot easier.
I already have another towing vehicle so I just want to use the Volvo as a
type of cheap winch.
I have inspected the front bumper and seen that behind the plastic
covering, there is a substantial "U" shaped
piece of steel not unlike an 'RSJ'.
What are your thoughts on bolting a tow ball on this to push the van into
it's allocated space, (which is very difficult in reverse)
due to the restricted area & impossible to man handle it. ?

I told you it was stupid ;-))

Wouldn't a small garden tractor or an electric winch make more sense than a
luxury car for this sort of task?

The front bumper is aluminum under a plastic skin and is bolted to
collapsible shock absorbers.

 

[Mr. V]

It sounds like what you are describing is the tow hook.

Yes, it would be strong enough to serve the purpose you suggest.

 

[Mike J]

Wouldn't a small garden tractor or an electric winch make more sense than
a luxury car for this sort of task?

The front bumper is aluminum under a plastic skin and is bolted to
collapsible shock absorbers.
.........................................................

Hi James.
Thanks for the reply.
Unfortunately the car is now coming to the end of it's "Luxury" status (it's
a 1988 model) and I don't really want to part with it as it's been one of
best cars ever that's why I want to use it for another purpose without
spending more cash on winches / tractors. I couldn't bear to see it
scrapped.
After another look, you are perfectly correct in the fact that the bumper is
aluminium, and I am now wondering if the said project is a viable one.
Thanks again for the reply.
All the best.
Mike.

 

[Mike J]

It sounds like what you are describing is the tow hook.

Yes, it would be strong enough to serve the purpose you suggest.

....................................................

Perfectly correct Mr.V.
I shall be using it to "Push" the caravan, so I don't think there's any fear
of it pulling away from the bodywork.
Thanks for the reply.
Regards.
Mike.

 

[James Sweet]

Hi James.
Thanks for the reply.
Unfortunately the car is now coming to the end of it's "Luxury" status
(it's a 1988 model) and I don't really want to part with it as it's been
one of best cars ever that's why I want to use it for another purpose
without spending more cash on winches / tractors. I couldn't bear to see
it scrapped.
After another look, you are perfectly correct in the fact that the bumper
is aluminium, and I am now wondering if the said project is a viable one.
Thanks again for the reply.
All the best.
Mike.

LOL that's newer than any of my cars

 

[Mike J]

LOL that's newer than any of my cars
How about an upgrade to a newer model then James. ................... you
can have it for a small fee ;-))

Mike.