V70 P2 Towbar Installation

[TXC]

Hi all, as you may remember, a while back I asked about towball height on a 2001 V70 XC, I did make a video of it at the time, and although it's got my annoying voice narrating it, it turned out o.k.

There is some jumping around where clips join up etc, but you get the idea, if it helps someone out, then jobs a goodun. (Links to YT)

V70 Towbar install

Cheers.

[outnumbered]

nice video thanks
mike

[V70T Jeff]

Hiya,

Just bought my 1st ever Volvo today, a 2001 V70 2.4T and am feeling pretty smug that I've chosen a cracking car. Been a Ford man for years!


The question I have is that whilst reading the owners manual, I'm sure it mentioned that the Volvo is pre prepared for towbar fitting - can't seem to find it now! Does this mean that the V70 will only accept a Volvo towbar or can it accept a normal fixed or detachable Witter bar?

Is the fixed better than the detachable?

Forgot to mention that I plan on towing an 1180Kg Bailey.

Any advice on this will be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[forster]

Hi, V70 Jeff, Congratulations on choosing a Volvo-I'm sure you will find it will be an excellent towcar. My 2000 Phase 2 V70 is fitted with a Towsure towbar which bolts directley in to pre-drilled and tapped holes & did not entail any bumper cutting.I'm sure that a Witter bar would fit just as well. As for fixed or detatchable bars, it's personal choice-I chose fixed as it affords some protection to the bumper when reversing (unless you have the luxury of reversing sensors!) Go for detatchable if you want to see less of the towball & sockets. I found that Grayston spring assistors are very effective in overcoming the softness of the rear suspension when towing (your car may already have 'Nivomat' Volvo shockers, in which case you won't need any additional 'helpers') My caravan is an Elddis,with a MIRO of 1385kg.
Hope this is of help- Enjoy your car-and caravanning!

[V70T Jeff]

Originally Posted by forster

Hi, V70 Jeff, Congratulations on choosing a Volvo-I'm sure you will find it will be an excellent towcar. My 2000 Phase 2 V70 is fitted with a Towsure towbar which bolts directley in to pre-drilled and tapped holes & did not entail any bumper cutting.I'm sure that a Witter bar would fit just as well. As for fixed or detatchable bars, it's personal choice-I chose fixed as it affords some protection to the bumper when reversing (unless you have the luxury of reversing sensors!) Go for detatchable if you want to see less of the towball & sockets. I found that Grayston spring assistors are very effective in overcoming the softness of the rear suspension when towing (your car may already have 'Nivomat' Volvo shockers, in which case you won't need any additional 'helpers') My caravan is an Elddis,with a MIRO of 1385kg.
Hope this is of help- Enjoy your car-and caravanning!

Thanks for that, good info. To be honest, its the best car I've ever owned and I am a complete petrol head. My 8yr old son said this morning "its like a dream come true, I never thought we would have such a nice car. Its really comfy and looks cool" - Kids are honest so that'll do for me.

Is the Towsure towbar a DIY job with some form of electric plug ready and waiting or do I have to break into the existing wiring? Will have a look for Nivomat labels on the shocks but doubt it will be there seen as the car doesn't have an existing towbar.

Will have a search for both these and the Grayston assistors - the cheapest wins. Good tip for the rear end, thanks for the heads up

[outnumbered]

the wiring is plug and play if you splice into the loom it will spit its dummy out, there are a few good second hand tow bars about at the moment the plug and play loom go to the dealers its cheaper/
mike

[forster]

The 'Grayston' rubber inserts would certainly be the cheapest option-I think the 'Nivomat's' cost in to the hundreds! I paid around £25 for the 'Grayston's',which wrap around the coil springs(assisted by washing up liquid!) and are easy to fit. As with most things, it pays to shop around for the best price- I got mine from an independant tyre dealer. Grayston themselves were very helpful with info. regarding the correct size/part number.

[V70T Jeff]

Thanks for the advice fellas, its much appreciated.

Plug 'n' play sounds easy enough (advice on buying cable from Volvo noted). The rest of it is just lengths of steels with nuts and bolts - big Meccano set.

Will certainly shop around for the Graystons which sound easy enough to fit. Will keep you all posted.

Would also appreciate a shout if anyone notices a good 2nd hand one available which wouldn't involve any bumper cutting.

Many thanks again

Jeff

[Gounders]

Big sadness here Jeff, I have a brand new towbar kit for a V70 1970- 75 estate (swan neck) with electrics sat in my garage. changed my car and as it was the first ever I have bought since 1972 that didnt have a towbar already fitted, I mean who needs a Volvo without a towbar?
However I then decided to have the old one removed and completely refurbed it, so now the brand new one sits there mocking me for the fool I was

Where is the sadness? well, its say here in Selby in yorkshire still packaged and going spare, it may end up on Ebay,
Oh and bye the way TXC pretty good Video mate

Gounders

[V70T Jeff]

Originally Posted by Gounders

Big sadness here Jeff, I have a brand new towbar kit for a V70 1970- 75 estate (swan neck) with electrics sat in my garage. changed my car and as it was the first ever I have bought since 1972 that didnt have a towbar already fitted, I mean who needs a Volvo without a towbar?
However I then decided to have the old one removed and completely refurbed it, so now the brand new one sits there mocking me for the fool I was

Where is the sadness? well, its say here in Selby in yorkshire still packaged and going spare, it may end up on Ebay,
Oh and bye the way TXC pretty good Video mate

Gounders

Bit gutted that you had up for sale Gounders - bought a fixed flange one from Towsure about a month ago. Going to fit it tomorrow but have 1 issue - phoned the local dealer today (Lancaster, Reading) who advised that I needed a cable, module and a download. Pretty sure from what I've read that the download is for the rear fogs only but couldn't get through to the guy that all I wanted was the plug 'n' play cable for about £17. I have 2 multi way connector blocks to tghe rear of the boot so assuming this is where the cable connects.

Can anyone advise the Volvo part number for this cable ?
Am I limited to a single 7-pin or can I go to a 13-pin?

Planning on a trip away next Friday so any help would be much appreciated fellas.

Jeff