Sorry - I should have finished off this thread:
Outcome was a new towbar. This time fixed, not detachable. professionally fitted by Chester Towbar centre. Cost £350 and they didnt even replace the electrics, but at the end of the day, we all now know we're safe, and Mrs M is happy towing by herself again.
lesson here is this - detatchable towbars are reported as fine and comparable to fixed and for most domestic and leisure towing, small trailers and caravans, they most probably are. But when using the Xc60 and detatchable towbar for a horse trailer and two horses regularly, i.e. pulling circa 70-90% of the max recommended safe tow weight, then the unit will fail prematurely. Just one to keep an eye out for.
Still love the XC60 though!
|