V40 and a towbar
 

Hi just got a v40 2015 D2 and looking at towbar options, as I have a 1 year warranty looks like I am going to need dedicated vehicle specific electric! Does my car have trailer stability assist? Is this something that requires an update?? Realistically for a small trailer it won’t be needs (hopefully)

I’ve just fitted a brinks detachable towbar to my T2 R design
Brinks supply Volvo who rebrand them as their own
Simple to fit
Also fitted dedicated electrics which plug into wiring loom in boot instructions included with kit and no software update required
Towbar £200
Dedicated electrics £115 ish
Bumper cover from eBay £16 (Volvo part)
Not sure about trailer stability assist
Shouldn’t need it if only towing a small trailer as that’s all I use towbar for or carrying bikes

The trailer stability is part of the software programming that is needed to make the trailer module fully functional. Reversing sensors, fog light, warning messages etc.. I negotiated it as part of a main dealer service, otherwise I think it's £80.

they won't be identical to the volvo one as volvo ones are made to their own specifications , They also go through the volvo crash tests …

Guess ive been miss informed about brinks and Volvo towbars which I’m sure I read somewhere on this forum
They must be very similar as bumper cover clips into the towbar as if it were made for it

brinks and thule make the towbars for volvo to volvo's instructions and specifications but there will be minor differences as they cant sell exactly the same towbar under their own name .

I have decided to go for a towbar with dedicated electrics! I have considered trying to do it ourselves but we aren’t good with things like that so to the shop we will go! Undecided whether to spend more and get a detachable or not!

Can I ask if you did get a tow bar fitted and if so, what did you go for. I’d like the tow bar and a 2 cycle carrier fitted to my 2017 V40. Volvo quoted over £1k, but this is beyond my budget. However I need to be sure not to invalidate my warranty by getting it fitted elsewhere??

You won’t affect your warranty if you have the dedicated electrics, different if you use a bypass relay.

Our car had a demountable towbar fitted by a local specialist in the dealers workshop because ‘OEM ones are too expensive’!