XC90 - Westfalia Detachable towbar fitting guide

[Curly59]

Greetings,
May I say firstly great write up on tow bar. I have the same MY2010 Active XC90 (18K miles) just in the process of buying the same solution from PF Jones prices seem a little higher than you mentioned so thought Id check if I have the correct part they list it as CODE: 320057 on the website. Could you confirm?
Only done about 1k averaging 29 mpg (from the pumps) whats yours doing?
Thanks in advance

[stephenlumb67]

Originally Posted by Curly59

Greetings,
May I say firstly great write up on tow bar. I have the same MY2010 Active XC90 (18K miles) just in the process of buying the same solution from PF Jones prices seem a little higher than you mentioned so thought Id check if I have the correct part they list it as CODE: 320057 on the website. Could you confirm?
Only done about 1k averaging 29 mpg (from the pumps) whats yours doing?
Thanks in advance

Hi,

Part number correct. Got mine a month or so ago at £220 delivered. I have an MY13 and last 4 fill ups brim to brim, getting 29-30mpg (calculated and not from on-board computer)

Interesting thread below on fuel and economy
http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showth...t=shell+diesel

Cheers
Steve

[Curly59]

Originally Posted by stephenlumb67

Hi,

Part number correct. Got mine a month or so ago at £220 delivered. I have an MY13 and last 4 fill ups brim to brim, getting 29-30mpg (calculated and not from on-board computer)

Interesting thread below on fuel and economy
http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showth...t=shell+diesel

Cheers
Steve

Thanks for the confirmation on part and price, on the fuel have used Shell V power in the past in a Subaru and I thought there was some improvement in how the engine run (2.5 petrol), concluded not worth the extra cost, yet to try through the D5, worth a look I think!

Thanks again, Steve

[mauser1905]

"7) Remove the tow ball from the towbar and offer up the towbar. We found it easier to offer up from the non exhaust side first over the exhaust pipes. Once in place the towball receiver will sit with about 2/3 over the existing half moon cut in the bumper and 1/3 obscured by the bumper. You need to make a small cut to expose the receiver but more on that later.

8) Once in place push the 6 bolts through from the inside of the boot.

9) Put the washers and nuts on. By pulling the bolts back in to the boot we could get a ring ratch spanner on for the majority of the thread on the bolt. Once bolt nearly pulled tight we switched to open ended spanner. One person with spanner on bolt in boot and one underneath car to tighten."

Struggled on the steps 7 on my own. so had to abandon the process halfway and call for help. Perhaps I was too optimistic on using jack and support and same time trying to offer the towbar.

So with help the towbar on car and bumper cut as well. With weather and time contraints yesterday, fitting of Volvo OEM 13pin electrics is provisioned for today.

Hope this doesnt throw any surprises!

About software download: I am not going to tow caravan, perhaps twin axle braked trailer. Does this arrangement still require software download? If so is this only done through dealer?

With the towbar in place the silencer makes a little rattle sound on idling as it hits the towbar. I reckon a piece of soft rubber will solve this issue.

I will try to get some photos and post later.

[mauser1905]

Hello all,


As said earlier, I have resized all the photos and now uploaded in the album area of community.

http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/album.php?albumid=1378

I have attached two photos. one with detachable towball in-place and second one when detached. Mission success.

Thank you very much for all the contribution on this tread much helpful and saved me good money.

Good luck to all.

[bobdabuilda]

On the pfjones website it says that the westfalia detachable towbar has visible bumper cuts which seems at odds with what is written here..... am I looking at the wrong one? £231 http://www.pfjones.co.uk/tow-bars/vo...0-towbars.html

[derbybiker]

Originally Posted by bobdabuilda

On the pfjones website it says that the westfalia detachable towbar has visible bumper cuts which seems at odds with what is written here..... am I looking at the wrong one? £231 http://www.pfjones.co.uk/tow-bars/vo...0-towbars.html

Has anybody used the 'dedicated electrics' on the pfjones website? Will they do the same job as the Volvo ones or should I get the 'official' ones

[XCF]

Get the original volvo wiring. Not worth messing - price of Volvo kit is not out of the way (if you get 7 pin).

Contact Rufe at Swansea Volvo for cheapest price.

[XCF]

Originally Posted by mauser1905

Hello all,


As said earlier, I have resized all the photos and now uploaded in the album area of community.

http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/album.php?albumid=1378

I have attached two photos. one with detachable towball in-place and second one when detached. Mission success.

Thank you very much for all the contribution on this tread much helpful and saved me good money.

Good luck to all.

The photo without the towbar seems to show a plate. Is that right? If so it looks different to my towbar (I wrote the original installation instructions).

[XCF]

Originally Posted by mauser1905

"7) Remove the tow ball from the towbar and offer up the towbar. We found it easier to offer up from the non exhaust side first over the exhaust pipes. Once in place the towball receiver will sit with about 2/3 over the existing half moon cut in the bumper and 1/3 obscured by the bumper. You need to make a small cut to expose the receiver but more on that later.

8) Once in place push the 6 bolts through from the inside of the boot.

9) Put the washers and nuts on. By pulling the bolts back in to the boot we could get a ring ratch spanner on for the majority of the thread on the bolt. Once bolt nearly pulled tight we switched to open ended spanner. One person with spanner on bolt in boot and one underneath car to tighten."

Struggled on the steps 7 on my own. so had to abandon the process halfway and call for help. Perhaps I was too optimistic on using jack and support and same time trying to offer the towbar.

So with help the towbar on car and bumper cut as well. With weather and time contraints yesterday, fitting of Volvo OEM 13pin electrics is provisioned for today.

Hope this doesnt throw any surprises!

About software download: I am not going to tow caravan, perhaps twin axle braked trailer. Does this arrangement still require software download? If so is this only done through dealer?

With the towbar in place the silencer makes a little rattle sound on idling as it hits the towbar. I reckon a piece of soft rubber will solve this issue.

I will try to get some photos and post later.

The SW turns the car fog light off if you have a fog light on the caravan. The idea is to stop the car fog reflecting off the caravan.

For the rattle I used a piece of rubber to stop the rattle. Mine came from a tree strap from a garden centre. Thick enough to sit in place.