Tow bar electrics/Volvo
Hello. As a newbie to the caravan world I'm probably getting a little too over concerned about this matter. But, as I am 99% decided on purchasing a new Volvo XC60 N4 Momentum as my towing vehicle I am wondering whether to opt for the dealership's tow bar fitting or go to a reputable independent company (any recommendations)? I have read reports of some of the independents who fit tow bars that then 'mess up' some of the car's other electrical system. What do people suggest? Volvo are quoting me £1000 for a Bosal detachable tow bar. Is that excessive? Also, I've been told by someone that Bosal have gone into administration again - is this true?
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KM. If you let us know which area you are in I'm sure you will get many recommendations for good towbar fitters. If you are around South Wales google towbar solutions wales. HAd mine done by Martyn . No complaints, everything works and reasonable price.
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I have an XC60 and thought about the same thing but in the end I agreed a price with the dealer for peace of mind and to avoid any warranty problems should they arise.
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I've noticed the warranty issue does seem to rear it's head on occasions, although I suspect it is more of a scare tactic used by dealers rather than anything legally correct isn't it? I'm in the North Nottinghamshire area by the way - so if anyone can recommend a decent fitter that would be very helpful.
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I have an XC90 and opted for an electric towbar factory fitted. Superb and all electrics work fine. Personally if you buy a new car costing that amount of money and wish to tow an expensive caravan, why skimp on the towbar? The electric Volvo one, as I said, is superb and the back of the car is so neat when it is retracted. OK, you pay your money and take your choice, but personally it is a no-brainer.
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See my "More Towbar Woes" on this page relevant to an XC60. Personally I would stick to the Volvo fitted bar these cars are more and more complicated and if any problems arise from an after fit bar its a gift to them to refuse responsibility. By the way its an excellent towcar and pleased with mine.
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We have had several Volvos in the past, the last an XC90, all with Volvo dealer fitted tow bars and all have been 100% correctly fitted with all pins connected, maybe we just had a decent dealer!
We just made it clear to them that we were towing a caravan and that we needed everything to work.
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Thanks for the comments so far. The ones relating to Volvo fitted ones seem positive. I assume these are Bosal tow bars (that is the make my local dealer told me Volvo use). However, as I put in my original post, I have since read that Bosal have apparently gone into administration and ceased trading. Has anyone else heard this? Apparently it is not the first time for this company. Worrying perhaps.
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We do not have a Volvo but have used the same independent fitters for years and have had no problems with those fitted to a variety of cars. The independents are usually far cheaper and know the needs a caravanner far better than the garage who often put the work out to an independent anyway That happened with us when we did order a car form the dealer and it turned up with the towbar fitters sticker on the back window. I assume they added their margin to the fitters price.
If you particularly want the Bosal, then I suspect most fitters will be able to supply it for less.
Having said that if the garage fit supply it then you should get the makers guarantee with it rather than having to sort out who was wrong if problems arise.
If you go for the Volvo fitting make sure you get in writing that the electrics will be for a caravan as otherwise you may get them missing the fridge connection.
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We do have a Volvo.
For £1,000ish your dealer should be fitting the Volvo factory fit electrically deployable towbar. They should be charging the same price as if you ordered factory fit as you will find that many factory fit Volvo towbars are actually dealer fitted - our dealer never orders them from the factory - it will be an identical to factory fit item in every respect.
The electrics will be fully wired for pins 9 and 10 as you require, this is not a problem with Volvo unlike other manufacturers I could mention. It has been suggested on here that Volvo do not fit a permanent live to pin 9, this is in essence wrong, they wire pin 9 to be live when the car is "awake" - this is a safety feature. You will find that when you plug the electrics in the ATC on your van will not arm immediately until you wake the car up by for example opening a door or the boot.
Finally I would mention that given all the rear facing safety sensors etc that the SPA Volvos have a number of which need to have their behaviour modified when towing as indeed are other systems such as Pilot Assist (which you may or may not have specified) I think it is well worth paying to have a proper Volvo towbar fitted.
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Thanks birderbilly. Really helpful reply. Think I'll double-check what Volvo are offering me for the price they've quoted and go for that if it does indeed match the factory fit as you suggest.
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You could also ask if they are still accepting CC membership to get a discount on all accessories including towbars. We did when we got our XC60 in 2016.
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Birderbilly is correct with the reference to pin 9 its only live when the car is awake, be aware the ATC will self test when you start the car on each occasion. The Volvo discount applies to the towbar and other accessories and is exactly that, a Volvo discount and does not include any further dealer discount you might like to haggle for.
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If pin nine is not live all the time then it cannot be described as permanent. the whole point having a permanent live is so that the vehicle battery can be utilised to power the caravan internal lighting etc in an emergency. Whilst I can see that this would be a rare event nowadays it does not detract from the fact that Volvo is not adhering to the international standard laid down by ISO.
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I think Volvo know what they are doing.
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Just got home from the Volvo dealer after they fitted an electric towbar....cost £992.28 which equates to around 15% discount, I am relatively pleased with the discount. Obviously, we would all like more. I would be interested to have your opinions whether it was a decent deal or not. In Addition, the tow ball looks different from some of the Volvo pictures in their catalog insomuch that there is a machined bar going from east to west about 75 mm long going through the hitch just below the ball and just above the hole for the breakaway cable. Have they fit the wrong bar or am I just being stupid. I did wonder if the machined bar going through the hitch was something to do with the bicycle carrier thats available. Thanks Roy
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