Tow bar

Robert
Robert Forum Participant Posts: 61
edited August 2019 in Towcars & Towing #1

Hi Does anyone have a volvo with the new retractable towbar if so can they tell me if it has a max tow weight plate on it Thanks

Comments

  • birderbilly
    birderbilly Forum Participant Posts: 349
    100 Comments
    edited August 2019 #2

    Mine came with what I think is type approval certificate that sets out all the facts about the towbar - is there something you particularly need to know ? No plate on towbar, not that is easily visible.

  • Robert
    Robert Forum Participant Posts: 61
    edited August 2019 #3

    Ordering new car & cannot get info on new retractable hitch 

    I know what car can tow  The retractable has a lot of joints in it & need to know if it suitable for what car can tow weight wise

    from past experience  different makes have different loads

    to sum up the tow limit of car is not necessary same as tow bar

  • birderbilly
    birderbilly Forum Participant Posts: 349
    100 Comments
    edited August 2019 #4

    Well the towbar itself is rated to 140kg vertical load and in my case the car is rated to 2,700kg with the factory fit towbar (nb: not normally actually factory fitted on Vovlos) so the towbar must be rated to at least 2,700kg.

  • Robert
    Robert Forum Participant Posts: 61
    edited August 2019 #5

    Thanks for that info  tho nose weight for XC60 is 100kg in Volvo spec

    no info other than that

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2019 #6

    As with what seems all retractable, swan neck and removable tow hooks ,why are the 13pin sockets fitted where it needs you to get on your knees and reach under the rear of the car to get the plug connectedsurprised

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2019 #7

    The electrics on my retractable bar are where most retractable bars have them ie on the side of it ... though you have a point with some detachable bars.

  • birderbilly
    birderbilly Forum Participant Posts: 349
    100 Comments
    edited August 2019 #8

    The Volvo one isn't - it's on the side of the towbar and works very well. The towbar also has a proper point to attach the breakaway cable which is also easy to use. Also plenty of clearance to bumper.

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2019 #9

    Just remember that the Alko hitch has a max weight rated at 100kg so even if tow bar rated higher, that's what you have to work to.

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2019 #10

    Not so on the Land Rover Discovery, or any other Land Rover that I have used.

  • Robert
    Robert Forum Participant Posts: 61
    edited August 2019 #11

    Seems one has to be carefull & work to lowest number given by car or tow hitch manufacturer  On slightly different note does anybody remember when towing a trailer at or above car kerb weight you was limited to 40 miles an hour?

  • Robert
    Robert Forum Participant Posts: 61
    edited August 2019 #12

    I found out today Volvo do not do fixed or detachable towers any more only expensive (£1075) fold away one with 13 pin plug connector is in middle of tow hook at base not sure how this will be affected by weather

  • Tigi
    Tigi Forum Participant Posts: 1,038
    500 Comments
    edited August 2019 #13

    2019 XC60 Towbar has a label visible when hitch is extended and requires lying under car to view, 140Kgs is the noseweight on the bar.

     

     

  • viatorem
    viatorem Forum Participant Posts: 645
    edited August 2019 #14

    My Alko AKS3004 is 150Kg although the plate jockey wheel axle weight is 98Kg

  • Tigi
    Tigi Forum Participant Posts: 1,038
    500 Comments
    edited August 2019 #15

    The material from which the retractable towbars for both Volvo & Mercedes appears to be superior to that of detachables made by Witter & Westfalia that I`ve had before. The balls themselves even though they remain under the car do not rust. the detachables rusted just sat in the garage. The bars fold up quite well underneath and electrics so far have not suffered. 

    My XC60 permanent feed (which I`ve had checked by Volvo) is finicky in operation. When the caravan is plugged in the ATC may not activate until the car is activated by opening a door, if the engine is restarted at any point the ATC will restart and self test i.e. the permanent feed is switched off momentarily. This is not the way ATC is intended to operate haven't had any problems yet the previous Merc shut down the permanent feed after six hours.

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2019 #16

    taken from caravan talk.

        Ian


    Approved Member

    12,721 posts
    Gender:Male
    Location:Worcestershire
    Interests:Caravan
    Towcar:Jeep Grand Cherokee
    Caravan:Buccaneer Cruiser 2018
     
    Posted April 1, 2014
    Surely with a twin axle and according to the manufacturers own formula, even if the caravan is completely empty it will exceed the nose weight of 100kg. If you then take the MIRO into consideration which includes water, gas bottles etc this figure then rises. According to the manufacturers own formula our ideal nose weight is 126kg when fully laden and 121kg if at its MIRO. Recently I towed and the noseweight was above the 100kg by a few kgs and the tow felt good and not at all twitchy. We now check to make sure that we are at 100kg.

    ALKO sent me the following reply to my query; 

    The nose load should never exceed the smallest figure of the coupling device, overrun assembly, jockey wheel and towbar. With regards the AL-KO equipment the overrun assembly, consisting of the draw shaft and handbrake etc, should not exceed 100kgs. Going over this figure would result in excessive wear on the overrun bushes.

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