Tow bar car specific electrics

[Wendy3]

Hi guys just changing our car to a 2017 Volvo XC60 March registration and need a towbar fitting. I just wondered if anyone knew the pros and cons of having car specific wiring compared to universal. Any advice would be much appreciated thanks

 

[ProfJohnL]

Modern cars often have additional electronic stability functions to help when towing. These are often only activated when the car recognises that a trailer has been connected. Manufacturer approved towbar wiring sets should ensure that all the cars systems work correctly when towing. This applies to teh ESP and in some cases to the cars internal CANBUS communications system.

A universal wiring kit may not activate all the cars systems correctly. Without integrating the universal kit into the ESP system, the car may not offer the driver all the help it can and it could mean that in some circumstances the car may not manage to control the trailer as effectively. or in the case of teh canbus, the car may see the trailers lights as a fault condition.

Which ever kit you go for, do ensure you instruct the fitters to reprogram the car properly, and to fit power circuits for charging the caravan battery and to run the fridge from the cars alternator.

 

[otherclive]

I would always go for car specific wiring as the systems are so complex it reduces the risk of complications arising. Authorised fitters from the Major towbar makers have the kit to recode the car if required.

 

[Raywood]

I was advised that some manufacturers including Ford will not accept warranty claims where a universal unit has been used. The difference in price was quite substantial though so I suspect many people will go for the universal one. Not sure if Volvo is one of them.