Towing with a V90

craigy85 · Jun 5th, 2018, 18:10

Hi all,

I picked up my V90 D5 R-Design last week with adaptive, self- levelling suspension and the Volvo retractable towbar, thinking it would be a perfect tow car.

I'm currently using it to tow a caravan through France and it's not been what you would call 'stable'. Every time a large car / van passes, or theres a bit of a sidewind, the caravan & car are swaying badly and taking quite a while to settle down. I've towed this caravan with my old car at 70mph with no stability issues at all so it's definitely something to do with the car.

Has anyone else had experience of towing with this particular set up and / or had any problems towing with a V90?

PJordan · Jun 5th, 2018, 18:30

Sounds that possibly the dealer has forgotten to install the "stability control" software for towing when the towbar and electrics were fitted. Trailer Stability Assist (TSA).

cassell · Jun 5th, 2018, 19:36

Hi,

I tow a caravan with a D4 V90 Inscription with normal suspension and a Volvo fold-away towbar and have never had any issues.

The outfit remains steady and straight at all times, in fact it feels more stable than when I towed the same caravan with my previous 2006 XC90, and that was a very good tow-car with its self-leveling Nivomat dampers.

I have no experience of your adaptive set-up but perhaps it isn't responding as expected?, back to the dealers on your return I reckon!

Paul

craigy85 · Jun 6th, 2018, 08:05

Well they've definitely done some sort of software install as I now have the towball line in the rear camera, which wasn't there before (I presume it's all part of the same update when the towbar is fitted?)

Had a triple check of tyre pressures, weights etc yesterday and everything is as it should be... apart from the towball height! It appears the suspension is not just levelling, but jacking the rear of the car up. The towball is sitting 2 - 3" higher than it should be (according to EU Regs).

If anyone else with the Volvo towbar fancies measuring the height of their ball (if you pardon the expression), to check if mine is unusually high, that would be awesome

mike95 · Jun 6th, 2018, 21:24

I don't have your model but an XC60 and my towbar also sits too high. My caravan used to ride totally level with my old XC60 but now sits nose up. I have managed to improve this a little by using the lower dynamic mode for the suspension. I am not at all happy with this set up and have been onto my dealer twice about the height vs. the Eu regulation but so far they have just ignored it. I will get onto them again.
Having said all that the car tows really well and steady as a rock.
However it doesn't get away from the fact that it does not meet the spec plus I have a 4 wheel trailer that I can't use.
We should keep onto our dealers until we get some answers.
Mike

Quacker · Jun 6th, 2018, 22:48

It is important that your van rides level or slightly nose down and that there is the correct or slightly higher than correct nose weight on the tow ball.
I have large pickups and SUV's with tow hitches and tow a lot, often as today and yesterday, to the 3.5 ton limit. The Ford Ranger T6 has a much higher ball than previous models and is three inches higher than the Land Cruiser's at standard suspension setting. This happens to suit my Ifor Williams trailers and enhances the stability and traction [In 2wd] of the unit.

On caravans though, do check your trailer/van drawbar where it attaches to the over-run unit and socket. In many cases this is attached to the drawbar by four long bolts. There may be spacers fitted on these long bolts as well.
The point being that it is possible on some models to unbolt the over-run unit and alter its height within the drawbar. It could be that its already bolted over the top of the C-section drawbar, but if its bolted at some position lower inside the drawbar A frame within the converging C sections, then it is possible to easily move it upwards and even mount the spacers [If available] underneath the unit and between it and the drawbar. These options, if applicable to your trailer or van, allow it to be levelled properly in many cases.

This is your problem, not the car dealer's though. If you are unsure about any of the above, please consult your local tow hitch specialists/competent experienced trailer or caravan mechanic.

craigy85 · Jun 7th, 2018, 07:01

Thanks Mike, in some ways I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one! However, I can't see how Volvo can ignore the fact that their towbars don't meet the EU regulations? I'd say that's not 'fit for purpose' (consumer rights act, 2015) and the car could well be rejected...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quacker

This is your problem, not the car dealer's though. If you are unsure about any of the above, please consult your local tow hitch specialists/competent experienced trailer or caravan mechanic.

Sorry quacker, I don't see how this is my problem at all? The EC Directive 94/20/EC (The standard that all towbars are designed to.) states that the tow ball height should be between 350 and 420mm from the ground with the vehicle in a 'laden' state. I've measured mine at four different stops over the past two days, all on level tarmac (motorway services) and the middle of the ball was between 445mm and 460mm... that's effectively illegal.

Even if I could raise the hitch height of my caravan (which I can't), I wouldn't, as there are limits for hitch heights too. Mine is near the top end, thankfully. If it were at the lower end, the rear of the caravan would be inches off the floor and even more unstable

Chief inspector · Jun 7th, 2018, 08:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by craigy85

Thanks Mike, in some ways I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one! However, I can't see how Volvo can ignore the fact that their towbars don't meet the EU regulations? I'd say that's not 'fit for purpose' (consumer rights act, 2015) and the car could well be rejected...

Sorry quacker, I don't see how this is my problem at all? The EC Directive 94/20/EC (The standard that all towbars are designed to.) states that the tow ball height should be between 350 and 420mm from the ground with the vehicle in a 'laden' state. I've measured mine at four different stops over the past two days, all on level tarmac (motorway services) and the middle of the ball was between 445mm and 460mm... that's effectively illegal.

Even if I could raise the hitch height of my caravan (which I can't), I wouldn't, as there are limits for hitch heights too. Mine is near the top end, thankfully. If it were at the lower end, the rear of the caravan would be inches off the floor and even more unstable

We had this issue with a commercial a couple of years ago, firstly the height is to the middle of the ball I believe, which was our first mistake, then the second I’d the ‘laden state’ which frankly can mean anything as the regs dont really define it, perhaps Volvo assume this is 7 passengers or 5 plus luggage?

We had to ballast our vehicle for towing, which was fine as it was a specific trailer and we kept 4 lin bins full of sane on it that went in the tow vehicle to drop the ball height, was a bit of nuisance lashing them down, but the manufacturer wasn’t interested.

Quacker · Jun 7th, 2018, 09:27

Volvo probably use the same hitch across all 90 series current cars, so the ball height of V90 CC and XC90 will be higher than the exceptionally low slung V90.

In the unlikely case that they do have different ball neck lengths, they should be interchangeable and the CC and XC will be shorter and suitable for fitting to the V, thus lowering the hitch height. This is not likely to be the case in my opinion, but it’s worth making the enquiry.

Most quality caravans and trailers do actually have an adjustable hitch height on the drawbar iirc. I’ll be at a storage site this morning, late, and I’ll have a look to see what sort of proportion are, or whether it only applies to more heavy duty trailers.

In reality of course it is very much your problem. If your combination is not compatible or is not stable, it is your responsibility to make it so or avoid driving it. It is the driver who is responsible for the roadworthiness and safety of his charge. Nobody else. How it gets sorted and who pays is another matter entirely.

In the first instance, make sure you measure accurately. That’s to the middle of the tow ball, not the top, and when both car and van are laden, with around 50 to 70kgs of nose weight from the trailer on the hitch ball. If the height is still above theEU directive limit of 420mm, then you can make a valid case for rectification by Volvo

gaby · Jun 7th, 2018, 10:51

I wonder how to interpret "laden" if the car has auto-leveling at the rear.
As long as the car isn't started, the rear may sag when loaded, but while driven it will be level/higher
as when it is unloaded. Four-wheel air suspension with drive modes will only complicate matters.
The middle of the ball of the fixed towbar of our XC90 is 430mm above ground level after leaving the
car with easy exit and not loaded in any way. I assume that this could easily be more than 10mm less
when fully loaded. The height of the ball is then within the 350 - 420mm range.

Jun 5th, 2018, 18:10	#1
craigy85 New Member Last Online: Yesterday 22:21 Join Date: May 2018 Location: Cheshire	Towing with a V90 Hi all, I picked up my V90 D5 R-Design last week with adaptive, self- levelling suspension and the Volvo retractable towbar, thinking it would be a perfect tow car. I'm currently using it to tow a caravan through France and it's not been what you would call 'stable'. Every time a large car / van passes, or theres a bit of a sidewind, the caravan & car are swaying badly and taking quite a while to settle down. I've towed this caravan with my old car at 70mph with no stability issues at all so it's definitely something to do with the car. Has anyone else had experience of towing with this particular set up and / or had any problems towing with a V90?

Jun 5th, 2018, 18:30	#2
PJordan Member Last Online: Mar 19th, 2022 14:55 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Edinburgh	Sounds that possibly the dealer has forgotten to install the "stability control" software for towing when the towbar and electrics were fitted. Trailer Stability Assist (TSA). __________________ XC60 D5 AWD SE Lux Nav Auto, 2017 Family Pack, Winter Pack, Panoramic Sunroof.

Jun 5th, 2018, 19:36	#3
cassell Member since 1988 Last Online: Apr 17th, 2024 20:08 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Middlewich	Hi, I tow a caravan with a D4 V90 Inscription with normal suspension and a Volvo fold-away towbar and have never had any issues. The outfit remains steady and straight at all times, in fact it feels more stable than when I towed the same caravan with my previous 2006 XC90, and that was a very good tow-car with its self-leveling Nivomat dampers. I have no experience of your adaptive set-up but perhaps it isn't responding as expected?, back to the dealers on your return I reckon! Paul __________________ 2017 V90 D4 Inscription, Mussel Blue, Amber perforated leather and lots of technology! 1973 1800ES, Gold, Black leather and very little technology! 1969 144, California white, Red vinyl and even less technology!

Jun 6th, 2018, 08:05	#4
craigy85 New Member Last Online: Yesterday 22:21 Join Date: May 2018 Location: Cheshire	Well they've definitely done some sort of software install as I now have the towball line in the rear camera, which wasn't there before (I presume it's all part of the same update when the towbar is fitted?) Had a triple check of tyre pressures, weights etc yesterday and everything is as it should be... apart from the towball height! It appears the suspension is not just levelling, but jacking the rear of the car up. The towball is sitting 2 - 3" higher than it should be (according to EU Regs). If anyone else with the Volvo towbar fancies measuring the height of their ball (if you pardon the expression), to check if mine is unusually high, that would be awesome __________________ MY18 S90 T8 R-Design Pro. Ice White with 20" alloys, Xenium pack, Active Four-C (adaptive air suspension), Bowers & Wilkins, HUD, Keyless entry, Smartphone Integration & Volvo On-Call Previously - MY17 V90 D5 R-Design

Jun 6th, 2018, 21:24	#5
mike95 Senior Member Last Online: Jun 6th, 2023 20:07 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Northamptonshire	I don't have your model but an XC60 and my towbar also sits too high. My caravan used to ride totally level with my old XC60 but now sits nose up. I have managed to improve this a little by using the lower dynamic mode for the suspension. I am not at all happy with this set up and have been onto my dealer twice about the height vs. the Eu regulation but so far they have just ignored it. I will get onto them again. Having said all that the car tows really well and steady as a rock. However it doesn't get away from the fact that it does not meet the spec plus I have a 4 wheel trailer that I can't use. We should keep onto our dealers until we get some answers. Mike __________________ MY18 XC60 D4 Inscription Pro Polestar

Jun 6th, 2018, 22:48	#6
Quacker Premier Member Last Online: Nov 22nd, 2021 00:53 Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: West of Carmarthen	It is important that your van rides level or slightly nose down and that there is the correct or slightly higher than correct nose weight on the tow ball. I have large pickups and SUV's with tow hitches and tow a lot, often as today and yesterday, to the 3.5 ton limit. The Ford Ranger T6 has a much higher ball than previous models and is three inches higher than the Land Cruiser's at standard suspension setting. This happens to suit my Ifor Williams trailers and enhances the stability and traction [In 2wd] of the unit. On caravans though, do check your trailer/van drawbar where it attaches to the over-run unit and socket. In many cases this is attached to the drawbar by four long bolts. There may be spacers fitted on these long bolts as well. The point being that it is possible on some models to unbolt the over-run unit and alter its height within the drawbar. It could be that its already bolted over the top of the C-section drawbar, but if its bolted at some position lower inside the drawbar A frame within the converging C sections, then it is possible to easily move it upwards and even mount the spacers [If available] underneath the unit and between it and the drawbar. These options, if applicable to your trailer or van, allow it to be levelled properly in many cases. This is your problem, not the car dealer's though. If you are unsure about any of the above, please consult your local tow hitch specialists/competent experienced trailer or caravan mechanic. __________________ XC90 D5, 2017 Inscription. Dark Grey. Xenium pack. Winter Plus with HUD. Black leather interior with alloy trim inserts. Ownership ended June 2020, Happy motoring times! Last edited by Quacker; Jun 6th, 2018 at 22:51.

Jun 7th, 2018, 09:27	#9
Quacker Premier Member Last Online: Nov 22nd, 2021 00:53 Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: West of Carmarthen	Volvo probably use the same hitch across all 90 series current cars, so the ball height of V90 CC and XC90 will be higher than the exceptionally low slung V90. In the unlikely case that they do have different ball neck lengths, they should be interchangeable and the CC and XC will be shorter and suitable for fitting to the V, thus lowering the hitch height. This is not likely to be the case in my opinion, but it’s worth making the enquiry. Most quality caravans and trailers do actually have an adjustable hitch height on the drawbar iirc. I’ll be at a storage site this morning, late, and I’ll have a look to see what sort of proportion are, or whether it only applies to more heavy duty trailers. In reality of course it is very much your problem. If your combination is not compatible or is not stable, it is your responsibility to make it so or avoid driving it. It is the driver who is responsible for the roadworthiness and safety of his charge. Nobody else. How it gets sorted and who pays is another matter entirely. In the first instance, make sure you measure accurately. That’s to the middle of the tow ball, not the top, and when both car and van are laden, with around 50 to 70kgs of nose weight from the trailer on the hitch ball. If the height is still above theEU directive limit of 420mm, then you can make a valid case for rectification by Volvo __________________ XC90 D5, 2017 Inscription. Dark Grey. Xenium pack. Winter Plus with HUD. Black leather interior with alloy trim inserts. Ownership ended June 2020, Happy motoring times! Last edited by Quacker; Jun 7th, 2018 at 10:02. Reason: Site not sight

Jun 7th, 2018, 10:51	#10
gaby Premier Member Last Online: Yesterday 07:39 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Belgium	I wonder how to interpret "laden" if the car has auto-leveling at the rear. As long as the car isn't started, the rear may sag when loaded, but while driven it will be level/higher as when it is unloaded. Four-wheel air suspension with drive modes will only complicate matters. The middle of the ball of the fixed towbar of our XC90 is 430mm above ground level after leaving the car with easy exit and not loaded in any way. I assume that this could easily be more than 10mm less when fully loaded. The height of the ball is then within the 350 - 420mm range. __________________ 2018 XC90 T5 (5 seater)

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