Towbar, Electrics & Stability Control for XC90

[ChrisE]

I am looking at a new XC90 and asked the dealer about a towbar for caravan towing.

1. He was very insistent about fitting a factory towbar because they would change the stability programme of the car to suit. Is this a big deal or is it 2 minutes on the computer wherever the towbar was fitted?

2. Is there an easy way to route a heavy amp cable (fridge etc) to the 13 pin socket from wherever it needs to come from at the front of the vehicle? I have seen cars all but dismantled to hide this cable.

3. Do tow bars come with accurate suggestions of where the cutout needs to be in my nice shiny new rear bumper?

Thank you for any help

[4wheeldriver]

It shouldnt need cut outs in the bumper. My se model it just sat under my bumper with the electric socket next to it. Mind you that was the detacable version I had fitted.

Another point you may want to look at is the geartronic box as in my "towing with geartronic thread. Some people suffer from the "feature" mentioned. Others dont.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by ChrisE

I am looking at a new XC90 and asked the dealer about a towbar for caravan towing.

1. He was very insistent about fitting a factory towbar because they would change the stability programme of the car to suit. Is this a big deal or is it 2 minutes on the computer wherever the towbar was fitted?

2. Is there an easy way to route a heavy amp cable (fridge etc) to the 13 pin socket from wherever it needs to come from at the front of the vehicle? I have seen cars all but dismantled to hide this cable.

3. Do tow bars come with accurate suggestions of where the cutout needs to be in my nice shiny new rear bumper?

Thank you for any help

1 , That makes no sense at all , you dont change anything when fitting a towbar except a fog light software application ... I'd recommend a volvo towbar though , the strongest and best fitted ... AND crash tested remember ...
2 , The current is taken through the trailer module which plugs into the REM in the back , remember the battery is a foot from the tow socket ;-)
3 Yes there is an illustrated drawing . hint . heat up the plastic bumper first with a hairdryer rather than a hot air gun , then use a stanley knife with a hooked blade and you can then cut like a knife through butter .

[GSMGuy]

Originally Posted by ChrisE

I am looking at a new XC90 and asked the dealer about a towbar for caravan towing.

1. He was very insistent about fitting a factory towbar because they would change the stability programme of the car to suit. Is this a big deal or is it 2 minutes on the computer wherever the towbar was fitted?

2. Is there an easy way to route a heavy amp cable (fridge etc) to the 13 pin socket from wherever it needs to come from at the front of the vehicle? I have seen cars all but dismantled to hide this cable.

3. Do tow bars come with accurate suggestions of where the cutout needs to be in my nice shiny new rear bumper?

Thank you for any help

I have the factory option of a detachable towbar on my XC90...

At the end of the day, when towing, safety is paramount, and I'd rather have a manufacturer approved and fitted hitch - Also on the XC90, I believe extra cooling capacity is provided for both the engine oil and the transmission fluid, in the form of larger coolers (so I believe)

The heavy cable doesn't need to go far, as both the battery and the main positive junction box are actually in the boot, just behind the bumper!

Mine has 2 very small cutouts, that are totally hidden ewhen the ball is detached, and the protective cover is in place.

Mike

[ChrisE]

That really is news about different oil coolers. I will follow this up.

I know what you all mean about crash testing but since all towbars have to be tested & use the manufacturers pick up points I doubt that there is much difference. The problem is that I have never liked detachable tow bars which the Volvo one is.

This will teach me to check where the battery is before opening my keyboard!

Thanks

Chris

[Clan]

Originally Posted by ChrisE

That really is news about different oil coolers. I will follow this up.

I know what you all mean about crash testing but since all towbars have to be tested & use the manufacturers pick up points I doubt that there is much difference. The problem is that I have never liked detachable tow bars which the Volvo one is.

This will teach me to check where the battery is before opening my keyboard!

Thanks

Chris

The "cheap" towbars for S40/V50 don't use all the manufacturers mounting points for one thing .. they hang off the rear beam and have no stays to the chassis further forward as do the volvo ones . These stays I believe are part of the crashworthiness ...

[ChrisE]

Originally Posted by Clan

The "cheap" towbars for S40/V50 don't use all the manufacturers mounting points for one thing .. they hang off the rear beam and have no stays to the chassis further forward as do the volvo ones . These stays I believe are part of the crashworthiness ...

I think that you might be out of date unless I have misunderstood the law. The simplest reference that I can find is here:

http://www.stanleytowbars.co.uk/thelaw.htm

Chris

[Clan]

I can only say what i have casualy seen on a few S40 / V50's which are current cars of course . I havent looked for any approval plates ... Perhaps i will next time ..

[SKH]

The comment about changing the stability program of the car might be relevant. I have an XC60 with Volvo towbar and as part of the installation (via the control box which is fitted under the boot floor) the DTSC system is modified to recognise when a trailor is connected and installs the Trailor Stability Assist (TSA) program which helps control the whole thing if the caravan or trailor starts to 'snake'.

I dont know if this also applies to the XC90 but its certainly worth checking with your dealer.

[Yaxley]

Originally Posted by ChrisE

I think that you might be out of date unless I have misunderstood the law. The simplest reference that I can find is here:

http://www.stanleytowbars.co.uk/thelaw.htm

Chris

When investigating a similar issue I was surprised to discover the type approval legislation only applies to vehicles at the time of manufacture.

As soon as a car is registered my understanding is that 'construction and use' legislation applies - I may be mistaken of course!