XC90: bike transportation + tow bar question

[Baxlin]

Not yet fitted a towbar to my Volvo, but on previous cars I have used a generic bike rack which clamps onto the towball, and the bikes hang from and are strapped to this, as opposed to standing on the rack as in the pics a few posts above.

A trailer board is required, but the overall cost is significantly less than the prices quoted above. Depending on the car (mine were saloons) the boot could still be accessed.

[1monkey600]

The £900 price you quoted is usually about the full fitted cost from Volvo for a detachable towbar for xc70 or v60 which aren't that different, really.

It does look as though there is a shortage of official detachable ones at the moment, though. As long as you get a towbar of reputable make you should be fine as fitting is very straightforward. E.g.Thule/brink(original manufacturer for volvo towbars), witter, etc. Check out
https://www.pfjones.co.uk/tow-bars/v...7-towbars.html
They even have your oem electric folder available.

Highly recommend using genuine volvo parts for the wiring harness and towing module although, depending where you get it done, it could cost anything between £40 and £100 for the required software.

Check under xc60 and xc70 and you will find loads of info regarding installation companies and pros and cons of non original wiring.

[bippysan]

Including fitting, they quoted £1300 for a fixed towbar, not detachable.

Thanks for the info. I'll take a look at PF Jones and will also ring around a little more.

[1monkey600]

Originally Posted by bippysan

Including fitting, they quoted £1300 for a fixed towbar, not detachable.

Thanks for the info. I'll take a look at PF Jones and will also ring around a little more.

Where is the dealer you are talking to - Park Lane? For supply only, Retail price, ex-discounts, for fixed towbar and wiring is around £350, software purchase price (ex-installation) is usually less than £25
https://www.volvopartshop.com/towbar...ing-1040-c.asp

I would definitely try ringing around - Sentinel Volvo (north London?) has been mentioned a few times on the forum but I have never tried them.

[bokabil]

Originally Posted by bippysan

Including fitting, they quoted £1300 for a fixed towbar, not detachable.

Thanks for the info. I'll take a look at PF Jones and will also ring around a little more.

Just for price comparison, I'm in Switzerland and had my detachable towbar installed by a Volvo dealer just across the border in Germany last year.

I paid 1050€ for everything. 660€ for parts/software, 223€ for labor, and the rest is sales tax.