13 pin Electric Socket Fitted Facing downwards
 

I have just had a Tow Trust detachable tow bar fitted to my 2015 XC60.

The 13 pin socket faces vertically down towards the road surface instead of facing directly backwards. All other cars I have had has the sockets facing backwards

My fitter insists that this is correct (it may be having looked at the fitting instructions) but it seems odd to me.

It obviously puts the cable closer to the road surface but I also am concerned if it would cause more damage fitted how it is should (god forbid) the caravan become detached from the car.

Has anyone else had this or questioned it?

Mine is the same, just a bit of a pain to hook the electrics up, having to lay down and fit them, will i get better in time? one can only hope, have you still got your Boden bar attached or is it like mine, in a bin bag stored in the garage.

Sorry what a Boden bar?

This is what should be behind the plastic bumper, but mine was removed, safety should be OK as there is a big lump of bracing bar behind it :teeth_smile:

Attachment 116189

Ah yes sorry, the crash bar......

Yes its was removed when the towbar was fitted. And yes likewise, stored in the garage. I was just concerned that the socket was facing down at the road surface. I take it this doesn't mean that the cable is too close to the road?

Haven't had the caravan on the back yet...

I tend to use a Bungie on my electrics, keeps the cable free from dragging, comes from being an Artic driver and using "Suzies" behind the cab on the air lines and electric cables.

This is what i had on my Jeep, till i came over to Volvo, off to NEC Monday so i will take photo's and update them.

Yes, I used to use bungees when i had twin electrics too. Be good to see your set up with the electrics plugged into the vertically fitted socket.........

I would be anything but happy if the rear crash structure of my car had been removed and not replaced.
The volvo approved fitting, and others are designed to allow the rear bar to remain in place once the towbar is fitted.

Caravan is the same, its just the Tugger has changed.

You need to get that beam refitted , if it won't fit get the towbar off , this is a vital part of the rear end safety system and has already voided your insurance . Make the installer pay... How will anyone find out? when you get rear ended and your passengers are killed … Yes it is that serious ..
That is a boron steel beam which is the hardest steel on the car designed to absorb most of a big impact before the chassis starts deforming , the non volvo tow bar is an unknown factor as it has not been crash tested like the volvo one which has brackets with known behaviour in an accident . .