XC90 Towing problem

[kentishdriver]

Tow bars /couplings

Tow bars are something that are generally taken for granted, but there’s a raft of laws governing their height, type and the way they’re fitted. In this section, you’ll find an overview of the information that it’s important you know before towing your horse trailer.


What do I need to know?
According to European Law all light passenger vehicles registered on or after 1st August 1998 require a type approved towbar tested to Community Directive 94/20EEC. This law governs the height and dimensions of the towball to ensure a safe and level towing height of between 350mm and 420mm (ground to centre of towball).

Any vehicle requiring an approved towbar also requires an appropriately approved towball – its 'D' and 'S' values must match or exceed the towbar 'D' and 'S' values (these figures may be found on the towbar stamp or plate).

Please note: This is not retrospective and does not affect any vehicle registered before 1st August 1998.


How do I know if my towbar meets EC regulations?
Check your towbar for a label, plate or stamp - if it’s type approved you’ll find a number, e.g. E11xxxxxxx, and the details of the vehicle for which it is an approved fitment.

These labels must not be removed or defaced as this will invalidate the towbar manufacturer's warranty and would result in the towbar or towball not being identified as Type Approved.


Can I fit a type approved towbar myself?
Yes, provided you use the car manufacturer's approved mounting points and follow the tow bar manufacturer's instructions.

However, we would recommend seeking professional advice on at least the type and height at which your towbar should be fitted to tow your horse trailer, to ensure you don’t encounter issues with noseweight, and ideally that you get it professionally fitted for avoidance of doubt.


Tow bar height
According to EC Directive 94/20/EC the towball height before hitching should be between 350 and 420mm with the vehicle in the ‘laden’ condition. Alternatively, the towball may be at the height or within the height range specified by the vehicle manufacturer in the homologation documents / vehicle handbook.

The height of the trailer coupling should be 385 to 455mm with the trailer in the ‘laden’ condition. ‘Laden condition’ in this instance is when the trailer is loaded to its maximum specified mass, with this evenly distributed over the loading area.

As you can see, this is an area fraught with potential for error, so if you are in any doubt as to the height of your towbar, or feel that it is not at a suitable height for towing your trailer, i.e. when hitched your trailer floor slants (it should be completely level, or will seriously affect your noseweight), we recommend you consult a professional.


Tow Bar Heights & Noseweight
The noseweight of a trailer is the downward pressure that the laden trailer exerts on the towball of the towing vehicle. If this pressure is too high, the towing vehicle’s rear suspension will be compromised and the steering affected. It’s impossible to check a trailer’s noseweight with horses on board, so use the trailer manufacturer’s estimated noseweight for any calculations.

Tow bar height can also affect towing performance. If the towball is too high, it will have the same affect of too great a noseweight and will also cause the trailer to be unlevel.

If your towbar is fitted either too low or too high, DO NOT attempt to tow horses – you need to get it professionally re-fitted to be safe.








Looking at the above I think you would have a valid small claims case. I would ask Volvo to provide you with the approriate certification to assure you that the vehicle can be driven safely and legally on the road, and see what their response is.

[ctreex1]

Thanks for that information Kentishdriver.
Today I have made contact with Thule Technical Dept. They produce 2 versions of XC90 detachable towbar, the Volvo oem spec is 470 mm from centre of towball to ground (as mine is), and an after market version that is 443 cm to ground!

[volvocamper]

I have a Volvo Genuine fixed swan neck tow bar on my MY10 XC90 and is 470mm from ground to middle of ball and seems to tow fine. Will be interesting to see what others are.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by ctreex1

Thank you for that information Paul. Unfortunately the symptoms are the same on my trailer, the loan trailer and Alan's trailer.

The Volvo dealer in Abergavenny is offering to refund the cost of the towbar only, NOT the wiring cost or the fitting cost - 4 hours at £70+ (London rates).

Thats not London rates ! in fact its probably the cheapest Volvo labour rate in the country ...

[moncman]

Originally Posted by volvocamper

I have a Volvo Genuine fixed swan neck tow bar on my MY10 XC90 and is 470mm from ground to middle of ball and seems to tow fine. Will be interesting to see what others are.

What are you towing?

I'm sure the extra few mms will be fine if you are towing a single axle trailer but I think we established earlier that the original poster was towing a double axle horsebox. The concern must be that by tilting the A frame up a couple of degrees to hitch on the higher towball the trailer is effectively running unbalanced on the rear axle with the front skipping along unladen. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[ctreex1]

Thanks moncman. You are correct that we are towing a twin axle horse trailer.
The symptoms you describe are correct too.
I bought a nose weight gauge from a caravan shop. Lifting the trailer by 50 mm does make a substantial difference to the effective nose weight.
We need to see how much refund the Volvo dealer is prepared to give before fitting a Witter fixed flange job.
Thank you for your interest.

[kentishdriver]

Originally Posted by ctreex1

Thanks moncman. You are correct that we are towing a twin axle horse trailer.
The symptoms you describe are correct too.
I bought a nose weight gauge from a caravan shop. Lifting the trailer by 50 mm does make a substantial difference to the effective nose weight.
We need to see how much refund the Volvo dealer is prepared to give before fitting a Witter fixed flange job.
Thank you for your interest.

I would not have thought you need to wait until then. They appear to have fitted a tow ball that could be illegal to use, and is outwith EC directives, and which leaves you, and indeed the fitters, open to prosecution in the event of an accident. Just tell them you have taken advice, and you will be pursuing a claim for full cost of replacement, cost of your time, and other costs incurred, including costs (which are ongoing) associated with having to run a second vehicle to tow your trailer until the matter is resolved.

[jiwilson]

No one seems to have mentioned.......

You state the unladen nose weight of your twin axle horse trailer is 88kg

Max nose weight for tow bar is 90kg

So, put almost anything in the trailer and you exceed the permitted nose weight

derrrr??

Are sure the 88kg doesn't represent max nose weight for that trailer??

Without a doubt the problem is nose weight, its too light unladen, my trailer does exactly the same - unladen.

Assuming quiet / calm ponies - put them in a try a short drive - any difference??

I also agree with other posts - if your towbar does not comply with the standard - you are entitled to a refund.

[ctreex1]

WE FINALLY GOT A GOOD RESULT!
Keith Price Volvo gave us a full refund for the tow bar, wiring and fitting charge.
We then had a Witter fixed flange tow bar fitted. This resulted in the distance from centre of towball to ground being reduced to 430 mm. a decrease of 40 mm from the 'Volvo' tow bar originally fitted, reducing the effective nose weight by 20 kg.
The floor of the trailer is now level when coupled to the car.
With 2 Exmoor ponies on board the distance from centre of towball to ground is 400 mm so we are now legal.
The ride is now very much more comfortable than it was previously.
Thank you to all members who gave advice.
The Volvo dealer was keen to see a satisfied customer at the end of the day.
They did a good deal on the original purchase price of the car, comparing very favourably with the big dealers on the web.

[Jim314]

It would be unacceptable to me to have a tow bar that was too high, but absolutely unacceptable if it resulted in a horse trailer being out of level.

It is terrific that you now have one which supports the trailer level to the ground.

How did you determine that "a decrease of 40 mm from the 'Volvo' tow bar originally fitted, reduc[ed] the effective nose weight by 20 kg"?

Addition in editing
I was thinking about a single axle trailer. I forgot about the explanation above for how with a double axle trailer raising the tow ball would increase the noseweight.