V70 Volvo towbar selection

[Teilo1979]

Okay, I hope this makes sense.

My car = 2013 V70 Rdesign D4,

I was looking at towbars, some manufacturers list a specific one for with or without height control, I take this to mean self levelling (nivromats) I have an rdesign so these are standard.
If it matters, then why do some manufacturers list one bar that fits both? If there is a difference then what physically is different on each towbar?

Volvo themselves list a high towbar (without height control)
And a low towbar (with height control)

To me this must to be to do with hitch height and the high towbar will compensate for the sag when weight is added to the rear of car.
Now this is where my mind is confused, I have an Rdesign which is lower than a standard V70 so which to do I need to keep the hitch height at the recommended level. If I get the low one then because my car is already lowered (by design) will the hitch be too low but if I get the high one will it be to high because I have level control.

Any ideas, Volvo don’t?!?!

Terry.

[green van man]

As I understand it you need 16 inches from the road to the ball. A slightly nose down attitude gives more stable towing but you don't want to exceed the noseweight limit of the car.

As for the differences, sorry haven't a clue, I had my towbar supplied and fitted by volvo as part of the purchase deal when I baught the car.

I appreciate £850 is a lot of money for a tow bar, but what price piece of mind when you cannot find the information you seek to select an alternative.
Modern cars are far too complex to use anything other than the correct tow bar as it will have some effect on crumple zones and passenger safety. Hopefully the designers take this into account.

Paul.

[Puffster]

That's a LOT of money for a chunk of metal. When I got my first XC70, I asked the dealer to fit a towbar one service as the price in the car brochure was £440. When it came to bill time, they tried to double it as aftermarket. We had a discussion as the brochure was not clear and I got it for £440.

Speak to someone like Trust or Witter, as that is what their business is. I note Witter (who probably supply Volvo) do both types at around £550. Trust have versions from £235- £400 and include for R-Design.

Aftermarket towbars will be designed to comply with any current legislation.

[Teilo1979]

Originally Posted by Puffster

That's a LOT of money for a chunk of metal. When I got my first XC70, I asked the dealer to fit a towbar one service as the price in the car brochure was £440. When it came to bill time, they tried to double it as aftermarket. We had a discussion as the brochure was not clear and I got it for £440.

Speak to someone like Trust or Witter, as that is what their business is. I note Witter (who probably supply Volvo) do both types at around £550. Trust have versions from £235- £400 and include for R-Design.

Aftermarket towbars will be designed to comply with any current legislation.

Brink are the supplier for Volvo badged towbars but surprisingly they do not list for WITH height control and they have various other options that Volvo don't. It just gets more confusing.

[1monkey600]

As far as I understand the R-design is the same height as the standard V70,
https://assets.volvocars.com/en/~/me...t.pdf?la=en-gb i.e. Not lowered, so the high low designation in the accessories.volvocars.com webpage relates purely to the type of suspension fitted ( as it states on that page).

https://accessories.volvocars.com/en...CC-480670/2013

The Volvo towbar comes with a rear cover for standard car but I believe that this is what is not compatible with R-design due to the fancy rear bumper. That is why there is an additional part to order if you do have an R-design.

With the official volvo towbars you have to cut the bumper - several of the alternatives state you do not have to do that but then say it is not compatible with R-design. My guess is again only because they have different bumper to standard.

Try calling FRF Volvo (with forum discount code - see their post in traders section) or volvopartshop.com - you should be able to get the parts, including wiring and module for less than £450.

Fitting is pretty straightforward, around 2-3hrs if never done it before. Hardest thing is getting courage to cut the bumper

[Teilo1979]

Thanks for that,
The Rdesign is definitely lower than standard V70 25 or 30 mm rings a bell,
It does say they are lower in the spec on your first link for chassis options

1- Lowered Chassis (D2 only)
2- R-design Lowered Sports Chassis
3- Load Compensating Suspension

I’d like to know what the physical difference between the two towbars is.
I’ll assume the final height of the ball, but by how much?

Terry

[1monkey600]

OK, I see that in the spec list but all specification diagrams I have found don't differentiate any models with respect to height.

I have an XC70 so pointless me going out to measure it for you, sorry.

[apersson850]

We have two XC70 cars, one with automatic levelling, one without. But I've never measured if the unloaded ball height is different on the two. Now you made me curious, so perhaps I should go measure...

[Teilo1979]

Originally Posted by apersson850

We have two XC70 cars, one with automatic levelling, one without. But I've never measured if the unloaded ball height is different on the two. Now you made me curious, so perhaps I should go measure...

I would be very interested in what you find if you measure them.
If you don't mind me asking what manufacturer are the bars? and if you can see the model number on the rating plate I'd be grateful if you could share them for comparison.

Terry

[apersson850]

Both are Volvo original. One is a fixed (car without levelling) and the other detachable. The detachable one is brand new, since I got hit by a car in the rear, and that broke the previous hitch.
Perhaps both hitches are made by Brink. That I haven't checked.