Removable tow bar

Sharpey
Sharpey Forum Participant Posts: 5
edited April 2019 in Towcars & Towing #1

 Hi all, since new my removable tow bar on my XC60 has had  a small amount of play in it , on speaking to another XC60 owner about his tow bar lock I noticed his tow bar had no play in it whatsoever.  Does anyone else had a similar tow bar and is there any movement in it. Thanks Alan

Comments

  • bill
    bill Forum Participant Posts: 388
    edited April 2019 #2

    Alan, I have recently bought an XC60 with removable towball already fitted and I can't find any movement in it.  Mind you I can't remove it either as I wasn't supplied a key with it.  I went to a towbar installer and ordered a couple of keys which I have to pick up this morning.

    As an aside the car was fitted with Volvo 13 pin electrics which have passed the MOT but the AlKo ATC only works when the ignition is on.  All wiring instructions say that pin 9 for the ATC should be a direct positive feed !  I have put this point on 2 caravan forums and a Volvo forum and have had a mixed reaction.  I had it checked out by the company who are supply my keys and they merely said that it is a genuine Volvo towbar and electrical wiring kit so it must be OK !

    Bill

  • Sharpey
    Sharpey Forum Participant Posts: 5
    edited April 2019 #3

    HI Bill, the lad was talking to had no keys for his towbar either and no movement. My ATC works when the ignition is off, sometimes I have left it on overnight to clear the log of the ATC when a solid red light stays on. I might run down the Volvo dealers to get the towbar checked out. Thanks Alan.

  • macwomble
    macwomble Forum Participant Posts: 54
    First Comment
    edited April 2019 #4

    I've an aftermarket removeable towbar (Westfalia) fitted....solid as a rock when fitted.

    My Alko ATC works/sets as soon as I plug in (ignition off).

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2019 #5

    +1

  • bill
    bill Forum Participant Posts: 388
    edited April 2019 #6

    Alan - Further to my original post earlier.  I went to pick my towball keys up this morning and the guy offered to check that they were OK.  Had a major problem getting the towball out and ended up having the receptor cleaned out and the towball unit lubricated and now fits perfectly but does move a little when in.  The engineer explained that this was wear and quite usual and perfectly safe.  So the only reason mine wasn't moving original was because of corrosion !

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
    1,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited April 2019 #7

    I had a Witter detachable on a previous car, after a few months of towing came the eventual sound inside of the car of clunking over pitching roads, Witter replaced the whole towbar under warranty, it was loose when manually pulled up/pushed down by hand.

    Happened again a few months later and this time I went for a non detachable swan neck, warranty again, job done and cured. Witter blamed a bad batch, saying there should be no play at all but it was never in danger of detaching itself. 

  • Tigi
    Tigi Forum Participant Posts: 1,038
    500 Comments
    edited April 2019 #8

    I have a recent XC60 and my ATC takes 20-30secs to fire up after having plugged in which is normal according to the Volvo Forum.

  • bill
    bill Forum Participant Posts: 388
    edited April 2019 #9

    Be careful what you do with your towball keys I just paid £34 for 2 replacements !!  

    The engineer thought that the towball on my XC60 had never been removed since it was fitted (4 years ?) and it was the corrosion making it feel rock steady until it was cleaned and lubricated.  Had the 13 pin wiring checked while I was there and told all in line with Volvo requirements.  I know the 13 pin socket is now part of the MOT but not sure if it only covers road lights or whether it includes ATC and the split charge relay for battery and fridge.

  • lagerorwine
    lagerorwine Forum Participant Posts: 310
    edited April 2019 #10

    My 2017 Tiguan towbar and electrics (factory fit) takes several seconds before ATC starts 'whirring' (engine not running). I believe its something to do with the electronics associated with the battery

  • MLJ
    MLJ Forum Participant Posts: 8
    edited April 2019 #11

    Recently purchased a 2016 XC60, Volvo dealer fitted detachable towbar a s part of the deal, solid as a rock no movement whatsoever. ALKO ATC connects whenever 13 pin plug is connected,ignition on or off

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,666 ✭✭✭
    1,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited April 2019 #12

    I have a removable towbar on my series 2 Disco, but they do have a reputation of not being brilliant.  As soon as I got the car, I immediately had a fixed towbar put on it.  To be honest I prefer a fixed one anyway - it saves me the bother of attaching it and taking it off again.

    David

  • Tammistar
    Tammistar Forum Participant Posts: 1
    edited April 2019 #13

    Hi Alan, I’ve got the same problem with my detachable towcar on my XC60. Had it fitted by the dealer when I bought the car new 2 years ago. The dealer says it’s normal and within tolerances as long as there is no side to side movement. Personally, I think this is a load of nonsense and they just can’t be bothered. My local Witter agent says it isn’t normal and has advised me to put pressure on the dealer to get it resolved.

  • KeithD
    KeithD Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited April 2019 #14

    Hello Alan. My XC60 detachable tow bar also has a small amount of play and as with yours, it was like this from new (dealer fitted April 2017). Similarly concerned, I asked my dealer to check it over at the first service and was assured that it was all OK.

    No, it's not as tight/solid as the Westfalia detachable that I had on my previous car, but in fairness, I have to say that I have now towed a few thousand miles with the Volvo and not had an issue with the tow bar. Hope this helps. Regards, Keith

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