Towing

[AnnM1]

We are due to take delivery of a new vehicle in late September (V70 D5 SE) and wonder if anyone on forum can advise on the best (vibration free) towing mirrors, which fit directly onto the driving mirrors?

We are also considering the purchase of a detatchable tow ball and wonder if members have any comments on these?

Thanks for your replies in advance.

Ann

 

[rob_jax]

Hi Ann,

Undoubtedly the best detachable tow-ball for a Volvo is the real factory fitted option - it's actually a swing-out model operated from inside the boot area - and stores out of the way behind the bumper.

But that would need to have been factory ordered, and I sense you didn't do that, so an after-market detachable is required.

Whilst all tow-bars need to be type approved, that doesn't mean that all tow-bars are equal - Volvo (for the factory tow-bar) will have tested different products from the tow-bar manufacturers and chosen a product that meets their engineering and corrosion protection standards.

Likely candidates are Westfalia or Bosal - others may know the current choice - so buying one of their offerings might be the best choice for an after-market tow-bar...

Robert

 

[AnnM1]

Hello Robert

Thank you for your reply.

The detatchable towbar for Volvo vehicles comes as an accessory. So we would have it fitted before taking it from the dealership. We are now on our fourth Volvo from the same company and have always been very happy with their workmanship.

Currently we have a 'swan neck' towbar fitted and I wondered if we would have problems hitching up the caravan to the detatchable one.

Ann

 

[Lutz]

Basically, a detachable towball is a split swan neck, so there is no difference regarding hitching the caravan.

Ann is correct, Robert, that Volvo is one of the manufacturers that do not offer a factory-fitted towbar. The factory-approved one is therefore an after-market accessory.

 

[AnnM1]

Thank you, Lutz, for the information. Very useful to know this prior to having it fitted.

Ann

 

[Jennifer2]

We have the Volvo one on our XC90, also had it on our 940. They are usually Brink towbars and are very good. We have had no problems at all with them, very easy to fit.

Are you going for the 13 pin electrics (which is standard)? Volvo provided us with a 13 to 2 x 7 adaptor, but we found not all the wires were connected in it, one was even cut off. So if you need to use it then check that.

Better plan however is to convert your van to the 13 pin system, which is what we have done, and it is excellent.

 

[Jennifer2]

For the towing mirrors, we went for the Volvo ones that clip onto the wheel arch and the wing. Expensive but good. We had the same type before (although not from Volvo), and have always found them to be far better than the ones that fix onto the door mirrors.