Towing with a Volvo V50 D5

[IainMcL1970]

Anybody towing with a manual V50 D5???

I am looking to tow a 1200Kg caravan, with a 75Kg noseweight.

Is self levelling suspension worth paying for?

Which towbar do you have?

Do you have 13 pins electrics??? My current 'van is a 2008 which has twin electrics so would prefer the 12N/S set up.

Thanks in advance!

[4wheeldriver]

Ive an XC90 d5 but so as ive only had it couple of months havent towed with it yet. I've a detachable Volvo fit bar which is a lot easier to fit than the one on my BMW. My vans MTPLM is 1607 hence the larger towcar. Best FREE place to check is the WHAT TOWCAR website. Put in the deatils and off you go. It has 13 pin electrics and my van has twin. Volvo dealer kindly supplied me with adaptor cable but its a WEE bit on the long side. My local dealer Dyce Caravans will convert the van to 13 but it'll cost me £75 to do. I think I'll be cheaper just sitting here with the wire cutters and soldering iron and trim the adaptor cable!! lol

[IainMcL1970]

Thanks. Yeh the caravan is due to be serviced soon so wondered if it might be best to get it changed to 13 pin electrics. Since it is only a year old we will have it for another 3 or so years so easiler than faffing about with adapters.

I have heard that people have problems with getting power to the fridge and battery charger on the 13 pin system, on some factory wired cars. I also need power for the ALKO ATC system I have on my 'van.

[Paddler Ed]

Definitely fit Self Levelling.

It makes such a difference; the car is more level and you ultimately have better control and traction as the wheels are much more planted.

Don't know why estates don't have it as standard in all honesty

[4wheeldriver]

Originally Posted by IainMcL1970

Thanks. Yeh the caravan is due to be serviced soon so wondered if it might be best to get it changed to 13 pin electrics. Since it is only a year old we will have it for another 3 or so years so easiler than faffing about with adapters.

I have heard that people have problems with getting power to the fridge and battery charger on the 13 pin system, on some factory wired cars. I also need power for the ALKO ATC system I have on my 'van.

I had the 13 pin on my first tow car back in Jan, an Audi, and everything inside, fridge etc worked fine using the 13 pin adaptor. Crap car but at least the leccy worked ok!! lol

[RossT]

Hi
I have a Witter Detachable Tow Bar fitted to my V50 with old style electrics.
Bought the parts of the net and had fitted by local tow bar fitter. There are direct wiring kits available for both the old and new euro 13 pin wiring. I'm like you - my unit has the 12N/S connectors and I was advised (Camping and Caravan Club) that unless I intend ugrading that it would be better to stick with the old style connections rather than have 13 pin on the car and then use an adaptor to convert back to the dual connections of the camper.
Reason I went with the Witter bar (aside from it being cheaper than the Volvo option) was because on my car (I have the sport model) at the time all other towbar options involved making a cut in the rear bumper to a lesser or greater extent.
The Volvo bar (may have changed since) was the worst in terms of the size of the cut required. Not good when it comes to resale.
Hope this helps
Ross