Towing with a V90

[craigy85]

Thanks Paul, that is really helpful!! Funnily enough I have a coachman too, a VIP 575, which also has a 100kg noseweight.

Your picture clearly shows the rear of the car dropping... I've attached a few photos of mine (one unladen and two with the caravan attached) - you'll really see the difference!!

[GJB]

Just measured my V90 Cross country to center of tow ball 41.5 centimeters that is with out the hitch being connected and car not loaded.

[craigy85]

Interesting GJB... the Cross Country has a different towball design to account for the increased ride height.... wonder if one of those would fit a 'normal' V90?

[mike95]

Originally Posted by gaby

Perhaps you can set individual drive mode to comfort mode with dynamic suspension?

That is exactly what I do. However you do have to remember every time you start up.

[craigy85]

It's been a while since my original post but I thought i'd best provide an update for anyone interested.... In short - i'm no longer a Volvo owner!

After 9 months of 'investigations' and me pushing back on numerous occasions after being told by the dealer, Volvo UK and Volvo Sweden there was no problem with either my vehicle or the towbar, Volvo finally admitted that their retractable towbar does not comply with EU regulations when fitted to a V90 with self leveling suspension, and is effectively an illegal part...

They are apparently now designing & testing a new towball for self-levelling V90's (and I suspect many other air suspension cars in the range, as the XC90 courtesy car i had was exactly the same!) but i was not prepared to wait over a year from first reporting the issue for them to rectify it.

I have asked Volvo numerous times what they will do for the thousands(?) of cars with illegal towbars already fitted, but have not received a straight answer... If you have a Volvo towbar fitted to an SPA car with air suspension I'd urge you to check your vehicle and if it is affected, make sure you report it to your dealer!!

So I've now had a full refund and gone and bought a replacement vehicle from another manufacturer - there are aspects of the V90 i'll miss but the towing experience is certainly not one of them!!

[AB-UK]

It seems a shame on Volvo that they haven't addressed this issue more quickly.
What car did you swap the V90 for?

[craigy85]

My main concern AB-UK, is that they won't address it at all - for me it's a serious safety defect and all affected vehicles should be recalled, but I suspect that won't happen!

I've gone for a BMW 630d GT - it's an ex press car so fully loaded (massage seats, air suspension, 3 TVs, semi-autonomous driving / self parking etc.) - it's bl**dy lovely, and nice to be back in a 6 cylinder.

[James77]

Originally Posted by craigy85

My main concern AB-UK, is that they won't address it at all - for me it's a serious safety defect and all affected vehicles should be recalled, but I suspect that won't happen!

I've gone for a BMW 630d GT - it's an ex press car so fully loaded (massage seats, air suspension, 3 TVs, semi-autonomous driving / self parking etc.) - it's bl**dy lovely, and nice to be back in a 6 cylinder.

You mean a 5 series hatch back

[craigy85]

Haha, more like a 7 series hatchback 😉

[big square car]

After reading this thread, I went out and measured the hitch on my recently acquired V90 R Design (MY 2018). The distance to the centre of the ball was exactly 400mm, engine on or off. The car is fitted with Volvo's retractable towbar (£1075!!). It has 18 inch wheels (I don't know if that is relevant or not)
This is well within limits.