Tow bar and electrics

[Jimmy90]

All, look at fitting a tow bar to my 2010 rdesign.

Couple of questions.

Does it need to be a specific one for the rdesign due to twin exhaust. Found a 2nd hand one from a non 2003 r design that is in great condition.

Electrics with it aren't plug and play so would want a new loom.

Looking at a loom from Volvo - £111 (is there cheaper???). The volvo parts site states it needs a software update? I don't have Vida, is this going to be an issue

[TruckbusUK]

Originally Posted by Jimmy90

The volvo parts site states it needs a software update? I don't have Vida, is this going to be an issue

The software update is only required if you wish the rear fog lamps to be extinguished when something is connected to the 7/13 pin socket. Your choice, personally I never towed a van or large trailer so did not bother with the software.

Hope it helps

Edit .... the Volvo wiring harness and towing module is a breeze to fit, totally plug n play, personally I'd recommend.

[Jimmy90]

Thanks for your insight, much appreciated, especially if it saves a few £££'s, I've no issue with the fog light being on, just glad it's not a necessity.

Any idea if I need a specific tow bar for an rdesign?

[Harley Dave]

This one -
https://www.towbars-uk.co.uk/shop/to...o-xc90-towbar/
- appears to fit in the same way as others I have seen and claims to be suitable for R design too, so "yours" will probably fit OK

Cheers

Dave

[TruckbusUK]

Originally Posted by Jimmy90

Thanks for your insight, much appreciated, especially if it saves a few £££'s, I've no issue with the fog light being on, just glad it's not a necessity.

Any idea if I need a specific tow bar for an rdesign?

Not sure, I believe it requires some spacers(sure they were in the kit I bought,) but thats from memory as mine was a SE-LUX.

I used a Westfalia removable, easy fit, minimal invisible bumper cut, but removing the rubbery underseal at the mounting plates was a pain, otherwise everything was easy, although I needed to use some crows-feet socket to get into the chassis rail bolts very little clearance.

[Jimmy90]

Screenshot_20230622-062740.jpg

Thanks for your help. Funds don't stretch to a new set up so having to be resourceful.

There is a second hand one I'm looking at but it seems to bolt through horizontally however the bulk of what I've seen bolt up into the chassis.

I was camping this week and stuck my head up under the car and can't see any fixing points. Are they under the rubber coating or are they the same as the exhaust mounts do you know?

[TruckbusUK]

Originally Posted by Jimmy90

Attachment 148882

Thanks for your help. Funds don't stretch to a new set up so having to be resourceful.

There is a second hand one I'm looking at but it seems to bolt through horizontally however the bulk of what I've seen bolt up into the chassis.

I was camping this week and stuck my head up under the car and can't see any fixing points. Are they under the rubber coating or are they the same as the exhaust mounts do you know?

On mine there were some foam pads glued on the inside of the chassis rails, once removed they revealed the 3 holes for the bolt plates, on the underside of the car I needed to remove the rubber underseal to see the holes, and a bit more so the plates on the bar fitted properly, I re sealed it all after fitting with body schutz. I had a quick goosie in the garage for the spacers but no luck, probably got ditched as I didnt need them for my installation.