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S60 & V60 '11-'18 / XC60 '09-'17 General Forum for the P3-platform 60-series models |
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Tow bar problemsViews : 1113 Replies : 7Users Viewing This Thread : |
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Dec 4th, 2011, 09:45 | #1 |
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Last Online: Feb 26th, 2012 17:37
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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?
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Dec 4th, 2011, 12:58 | #2 |
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Last Online: Nov 6th, 2012 21:12
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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?
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2010 D5 AWD R Design SE Premium Geartronic Ice White with 20" Cratus wheels |
Dec 4th, 2011, 19:56 | #3 |
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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.
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Dec 4th, 2011, 20:11 | #4 |
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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.
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2010 D5 AWD R Design SE Premium Geartronic Ice White with 20" Cratus wheels |
Dec 4th, 2011, 20:48 | #5 |
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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.
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Dec 9th, 2011, 12:40 | #6 |
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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. Last edited by GreaseNipple; Dec 9th, 2011 at 12:42. Reason: Add photo |
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Dec 9th, 2011, 16:03 | #7 |
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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!
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2010 D5 AWD R Design SE Premium Geartronic Ice White with 20" Cratus wheels |
Dec 9th, 2011, 19:05 | #8 |
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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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