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S60 & V60 '18> / XC60 '17> / S90 & V90 '16> / XC90 '15> General Forum for the SPA-platform 60- and 90-series models |
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V90 cc towbarViews : 2935 Replies : 37Users Viewing This Thread : |
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Jun 16th, 2018, 19:58 | #21 | |
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They must compromise when it comes to the different properties that are necessary for a rigid and stressed tow bar compared to dedicated energy absorbing structures, which are by necessity removed and replaced by the tow bar. You do realise that the removed deformable beam is made of aluminium of course and that the tow hitch is made of thick walled high strength steel? It seems to me that you think I'm guessing this and guessing wrongly. I can assure you that I am not.
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Jun 16th, 2018, 21:30 | #22 | |
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Removing the rear deformable energy absorbing units and replacing them with a very strong and rigid tow bar does not compromise the safety cage at all. Indeed it probably strengthens it. At the expense of not dissipating the energy that the original design does. A rear end shunt will be felt much harder, although all the active safety features, like seatbelt pre-tensioning, pre-crash brake actuation and hazard warning activation should all work perfectly and the safety cage should work at least as well as without a hitch. Energy absorption is not entirely lost when the hitch is fitted, because the mounting pads on the chassis [where the original crush cans were bolted on and also the hitch frame] are also somewhat crushable and the round hitch cross bar is welded at that point to the pad extensions only at the back, with a small void in front. This is not some artistic license by the designers. It is to make a joint that will fail under a specific impact force with the void allowing the weld to stretch and dissipate some energy as it does so. No way can it be as effective as an extruded aluminium box profile mounted to deep crush cans of course, but I'm sure they have done their best commensurate with the durability and strength constraints of integrating a drawbar capable of long term integrity with pulling, pushing, twisting and lateral loads that comes with towing two tons with probably a four times overload/failure safety factor.
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Jun 16th, 2018, 21:51 | #23 | |
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Jun 16th, 2018, 22:24 | #24 | |
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The following is a direct copy and paste from the message of mine that you actually quoted but obviously has not read and understood. QUOTE.. "Energy absorption is not entirely lost when the hitch is fitted, because the mounting pads on the chassis [where the original crush cans were bolted on and also the hitch frame] are also somewhat crushable and the round hitch cross bar is welded at that point to the pad extensions only at the back, with a small void in front. This is not some artistic license by the designers. It is to make a joint that will fail under a specific impact force with the void allowing the weld to stretch and dissipate some energy as it does so." END And so it continues. I'm not sure why this is in the least contentious. It is what it is, and a tow bar of necessity has to be rigid and strong and durable as first priorities.
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Jun 18th, 2018, 20:35 | #25 |
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I found a drawing of a Westfalia towbar, not for the V90 but for the XC90.
It seems that the corners of the car are left unprotected since the towbar doesn't extend to the mounting flanges. https://www.pfjonesebay.co.uk/instructions/VL53Q.pdf
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Jun 18th, 2018, 21:25 | #26 | |
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Good point ...They don't give safety a thought , no foam block between bumper and towbar either ..
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Jun 19th, 2018, 00:21 | #27 |
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To an extent I disagree. It is probably one of the safest towbars available, but could never absorb the energy of the original dedicated relatively soft progressive crush system that was removed. Nevertheless it does have some absorption characteristics. The main safety cage that protects the passengers is not compromised in any way.
I would confidently say that Volvo has one of, if not the very safest rear end collision scenario cars fitted with a tow hitch. How long or far down the road would you expect foam blocks or crush cans to last before the hitch dropped off if attached to them?
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Jun 19th, 2018, 08:20 | #28 | |
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and quality between the OEM and an aftermarket towbar can mean, so he can make the best possible deciscion. Of course it doesn't make the Volov towbar cheap, especially not the retractable one. But it may help to appreciate the price. Installation of hard - and software in our car was included.
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Jun 20th, 2018, 13:28 | #29 | |
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Jun 20th, 2018, 14:24 | #30 |
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Rereading my own reply, I now realise that of course it should have been "all remarks/replies", not just my own.
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