Tow bar problems

Merewood · Dec 4th, 2011, 09:45

My XC60 R Design is fitted with a Volvo tow bar and detachable ball. When attached to the car the clearance between the rear skid plate and the ball centre is approximately 67 mm. When my caravan with an Alko hitch is coupled to the car, the clearance between the hitch and the skid plate is only 1.5 cms. This small gap of 1.5 cms makes hitching up very difficult, leaving very little margin for error either when reversing or using a caravan mover. Volvo are sympathetic to the problem but as yet have not resolved it. Can anyone help?

scotgc · Dec 4th, 2011, 12:58

Yes, tolerances are pretty tight, I find it more of a problem when unhitching where the tow hitch moves forward and contacts the bumper. That being said I think that the Volvo system is one of the neatest around. I am not aware of any options available that would extend the distance of the tow ball from the bumper. If you have a mover and it's one of the "soft touch" variety it should not pose too much of a problem?

Merewood · Dec 4th, 2011, 19:56

I do have a soft touch mover but still hit the bumper/skid plate when hitching up. I tried on level tarmac, without the 'benefit' of my wife offering advice and was very focused at the time. We are frequent caravanners spending some five months every year in our van and we move to different sites at least every 3-5 days, so the chances of causing damage are considerable. Probably Volvo have not thought through the consequences of not increasing the tow ball 'shaft' to match the increased projection of the R Design.

scotgc · Dec 4th, 2011, 20:11

Hmm I hope that the towbar has been correctly fitted, I have never hit the bumper when hitching. I have a Winterhoff coupling but I would not imagine this would be very different. I will connect my towball and measure to confirm tolerances so that you can compare. I'm pretty sure that the anchor points for the towbar are pre-drilled and if you have a Volvo part it should all be fitted correctly.

Merewood · Dec 4th, 2011, 20:48

Thank you Scotgc. The 1.5 cms clearance previously mentioned is the only leeway available when reversing back to the coupling or using the mover. I have measured the distance from the original bumper and the clearance is increased by at least around 2 cms, making about 3.5 in total which would be perfectly adequate.

GreaseNipple · Dec 9th, 2011, 12:40

Merewood

Thought that this might be of use to you.
Here's a picture of a detachable towbar fitted to my D5 R Design showing the clearance.

scotgc · Dec 9th, 2011, 16:03

Mine is the same as the picture above, the clearance between the centre of the ball and the bumper is 8cm and from the perimeter it is 5.5cm, hope this helps. Sorry it took so long, it was a bit breezy up here yesterday!

Merewood · Dec 9th, 2011, 19:05

Thank you Greasenipple and Scotgc. For some reason my measurement from the centre of the tow ball to the skid plate is only 6.7 cms maximum. I will get back to my dealer.

My XC60 is an R design, D5 auto, Saville Grey, purchased new in September 2011.

Dec 4th, 2011, 09:45	#1
Merewood New Member Last Online: Feb 26th, 2012 17:37 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Windermere	Tow bar problems My XC60 R Design is fitted with a Volvo tow bar and detachable ball. When attached to the car the clearance between the rear skid plate and the ball centre is approximately 67 mm. When my caravan with an Alko hitch is coupled to the car, the clearance between the hitch and the skid plate is only 1.5 cms. This small gap of 1.5 cms makes hitching up very difficult, leaving very little margin for error either when reversing or using a caravan mover. Volvo are sympathetic to the problem but as yet have not resolved it. Can anyone help?

Dec 4th, 2011, 12:58	#2
scotgc Senior Member Last Online: Nov 6th, 2012 21:12 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Falkirk	Yes, tolerances are pretty tight, I find it more of a problem when unhitching where the tow hitch moves forward and contacts the bumper. That being said I think that the Volvo system is one of the neatest around. I am not aware of any options available that would extend the distance of the tow ball from the bumper. If you have a mover and it's one of the "soft touch" variety it should not pose too much of a problem? __________________ 2010 D5 AWD R Design SE Premium Geartronic Ice White with 20" Cratus wheels

Dec 4th, 2011, 20:11	#4
scotgc Senior Member Last Online: Nov 6th, 2012 21:12 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Falkirk	Hmm I hope that the towbar has been correctly fitted, I have never hit the bumper when hitching. I have a Winterhoff coupling but I would not imagine this would be very different. I will connect my towball and measure to confirm tolerances so that you can compare. I'm pretty sure that the anchor points for the towbar are pre-drilled and if you have a Volvo part it should all be fitted correctly. __________________ 2010 D5 AWD R Design SE Premium Geartronic Ice White with 20" Cratus wheels

Dec 9th, 2011, 16:03	#7
scotgc Senior Member Last Online: Nov 6th, 2012 21:12 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Falkirk	Mine is the same as the picture above, the clearance between the centre of the ball and the bumper is 8cm and from the perimeter it is 5.5cm, hope this helps. Sorry it took so long, it was a bit breezy up here yesterday! __________________ 2010 D5 AWD R Design SE Premium Geartronic Ice White with 20" Cratus wheels

Dec 4th, 2011, 19:56	#3
Merewood New Member Last Online: Feb 26th, 2012 17:37 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Windermere	I do have a soft touch mover but still hit the bumper/skid plate when hitching up. I tried on level tarmac, without the 'benefit' of my wife offering advice and was very focused at the time. We are frequent caravanners spending some five months every year in our van and we move to different sites at least every 3-5 days, so the chances of causing damage are considerable. Probably Volvo have not thought through the consequences of not increasing the tow ball 'shaft' to match the increased projection of the R Design.

Dec 4th, 2011, 20:48	#5
Merewood New Member Last Online: Feb 26th, 2012 17:37 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Windermere	Thank you Scotgc. The 1.5 cms clearance previously mentioned is the only leeway available when reversing back to the coupling or using the mover. I have measured the distance from the original bumper and the clearance is increased by at least around 2 cms, making about 3.5 in total which would be perfectly adequate.

Dec 9th, 2011, 19:05	#8
Merewood New Member Last Online: Feb 26th, 2012 17:37 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Windermere	Thank you Greasenipple and Scotgc. For some reason my measurement from the centre of the tow ball to the skid plate is only 6.7 cms maximum. I will get back to my dealer. My XC60 is an R design, D5 auto, Saville Grey, purchased new in September 2011.

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