2005 v70 t5
 

Evening All,

This may be a stupid question but I'd like to know if theres a general consensus on the best and worst towbars. I'm minded to think that a towbar is a towbar but having never had one before I really have no clue.

I'm looking to fit one so I can carry my bikes on the back rather than the roof so it's unlikely I'll use it to tow but I will need electrics for a light board.

So, which, if any, is best? Are some easier to fit than others or are they all the same? I know it's usually necessary to cut the rear bumper. Are there any that don't require the bumper to be cut?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Oh, and what's with all the wiring options?

Single 7 pin, double 7 pin & 13 pin? Bypass?

All the options are confusing me!

if it just for a board a 7 pin will do.
is the T5 a facelift.
it could be possible tat you have to bumper cut whichever towbar you get , you can not see the cut. Witter is good
mike

Cheers Mike,

Aye, it's a facelift.

Great stuff - an invisible cut would be brilliant - I've seen some that look truly awful which was putting me off a bit. Bodywork and bumpers on car aren't in greatest shape anyway but I'm in the process of having her brought back to a nice condition after 5 years in the "care" of the wife and I'd like her to be as original as possible. An invisible cut is fine.

I've just been looking at bike carriers and the one I'm going to get has an integrated light board with 13 pin electrics so looks like I have to go for the more expensive option!

I've just looked at wiring kits too and there are generic ones and vehicle specific ones - is there a plug pre wired for the vehicle specific wiring? I imagine I'll need a software download too for a vehicle specific loom?

Thanks again Mike,

Regards

Andy

You shouldn't need to cut your bumper .
Ask your supplier that question before you purchase.
This is the carrier that's in the family
http://www.tweekscycles.com/Product....PfSxoCre7w_wcB
Don't go by that price because they can be bought a lot cheaper.

Andy when i had mine fitted on the 163 pre face lift and then on the 185 facelift the bumper was cut on both cars , one tow bar was vovlos own the other witter. you can,t see the cut
Please check tho before you purchase.
the face lift models require the towing module and loom, for mine i paid about £120 but did not need the software its plug and play . the software is for reverse lights and sensors i think check with the stealer
the pre face lift already have a grey multi plug in the boot that you connect the loom to the face lift not :thumbs_up:
mike

Just highjacking this thread !

I have a 2005 163bhp XC70 AWD D5. I have bought a towbar and electrical kit (module and all other wiring) second hand from another 2005 XC70. Is fitting the electrics a straightforward job - ie plug and play and can I assume I won't need software? Jeremy

I fitted a used once piece bar from an S60, no cutting required. It came with double electrics, I just added a universal relay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Towing-Byp...gAAOSwknJX0r9Z it all works fine. Mine is also a 2005 V70 T5 facelift. My pre-facelift didn't need the relay.

The electrics should be plug and play. Some folk say you need a software update but from my experience, that's not required unless you want to disable the foglight when towing.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...ps2s1pksy5.jpg