XC60 R Design Towbar Installation 2016

[nigxl]

Wondering if anyone has any pictures of their towbar installations on the R Design.
Looks like only a few manufacturers will state that they are suitable for the R Design due to the extra skid plate I'd imagine.
I'm wondering if I should go with the detachable bar and get the cover from Volvo or just go with the swan neck permanent fit.
Particularly looking for the size of bumper cut needed.
Thanks

[HDAV]

I have the genuine Volvo detachable kit fitted its a rebranded brink bar, the cut is larger than I would like. Will take a photo, don’t forget the software update for towing module, oddly I don’t get any audible trailer indicator warning but they do work? Was expecting a notification on dash or audible but no (perhaps as I’m using a 7pin to 13pin adapter)

[nigxl]

Originally Posted by HDAV

I have the genuine Volvo detachable kit fitted its a rebranded brink bar, the cut is larger than I would like. Will take a photo, don’t forget the software update for towing module, oddly I don’t get any audible trailer indicator warning but they do work? Was expecting a notification on dash or audible but no (perhaps as I’m using a 7pin to 13pin adapter)

Ok thanks, I'll just be using a 7 pin to tow a trailer and boat.

[nigxl]

Oddly you say it's a rebranded Brink bar as the supplying dealer told me that the genuine bars were rebranded Witter bars ??
I'll probably do the install myself with the dedicated kit by ECS.

[1monkey600]

If you look here:
https://accessories.volvocars.com/en...CC-490881/2016
You will see that the towbar will be the same for all the different specs but you need to get a special cover for the r-design (usually about £15 I think)

Genuine Volvo towbars are made by Thule/Brink (same company) same as Thule make all the roof bars, bike stuff, etc for Volvo.
I highly recommend you go with genuine Volvo wiring and module. The only downside to this is that you have to go to Volvo to get software installed before it will work (at all). However, you get multiple benefits - eg trailer stability integration with the car, reversing sensors auto switch-off, foglight on trailer only, etc. From what I have seen on various 3rd party webshops the genuine stuff is cheaper, too. (<£100 For parts)

I believe genuine detacheable towbar from Volvo is currently on backorder but the Brink horizontal looks very similar to me. Eg
https://www.pfjones.co.uk/tow-bars/v...7-towbars.html

Give FRF volvo in Swansea a ring (not e-mail or forum) with your VIN and forum discount code to see what they can do for you. See 1st page of their thread in the traders section of the forum for their phone and discount code.

The cut in the bumper does look big but once the cover is on it is surprisingly discrete.

I have no 'permanent' indication of being plugged in to a trailer. I found I only got warnings when the trailer developed an earth fault which I was immediately notified of in the dash? If you read this thread it will give you more info on advantages, of the genuine wiring and software.
https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=281599

[jcxc60]

Having recently fitted a brink detachable to an R-design hopefully this info will be useful. I believe the bar is the same as the volvo official one however the fold away socket does not fit in the volvo cut out and stops the bumper matching cover from being used (see pics).

This weekend I will be removing the bring swing away socket bracket and replacing with a fixed one to tuck it up inside the bumper. Then hopefully it will all be hidden. Can update once I have solved.

[nigxl]

Originally Posted by 1monkey600

If you look here:
https://accessories.volvocars.com/en...CC-490881/2016
You will see that the towbar will be the same for all the different specs but you need to get a special cover for the r-design (usually about £15 I think)


I believe genuine detacheable towbar from Volvo is currently on backorder but the Brink horizontal looks very similar to me. Eg
https://www.pfjones.co.uk/tow-bars/v...7-towbars.html

Give FRF volvo in Swansea a ring (not e-mail or forum) with your VIN and forum discount code to see what they can do for you. See 1st page of their thread in the traders section of the forum for their phone and discount code.

The cut in the bumper does look big but once the cover is on it is surprisingly discrete.

I have no 'permanent' indication of being plugged in to a trailer. I found I only got warnings when the trailer developed an earth fault which I was immediately notified of in the dash? If you read this thread it will give you more info on advantages, of the genuine wiring and software.
https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=281599

Do you mean this one?
https://www.pfjones.co.uk/volvo-xc60...le-towbar.html

[nigxl]

Originally Posted by jcxc60

Having recently fitted a brink detachable to an R-design hopefully this info will be useful. I believe the bar is the same as the volvo official one however the fold away socket does not fit in the volvo cut out and stops the bumper matching cover from being used (see pics).

This weekend I will be removing the bring swing away socket bracket and replacing with a fixed one to tuck it up inside the bumper. Then hopefully it will all be hidden. Can update once I have solved.

I'm assuming the Volvo cover is a large cover that should cover all of this once fitted.

[nigxl]

Originally Posted by jcxc60

Having recently fitted a brink detachable to an R-design hopefully this info will be useful. I believe the bar is the same as the volvo official one however the fold away socket does not fit in the volvo cut out and stops the bumper matching cover from being used (see pics).

This weekend I will be removing the bring swing away socket bracket and replacing with a fixed one to tuck it up inside the bumper. Then hopefully it will all be hidden. Can update once I have solved.

Looks as if your skid plate needs to be adjusted / cut as well in that pic.
Socket appears to be proud of the bumper, can it be moved back towards the vehicle at all?

[jcxc60]

Originally Posted by nigxl

Looks as if your skid plate needs to be adjusted / cut as well in that pic.
Socket appears to be proud of the bumper, can it be moved back towards the vehicle at all?

I tried it in about 5 different positions and that was the best possible. It wouldnt swing away as it always hit the crossmember behind. Yes the volvo cover is quite large so should hide it all but its not large enough for the swing away socket hence going fixed.