Westfalia Towbar on XC60 R-Design

[daern]

I'm sorry for covering what appears to be old ground, but I'd really appreciate some advice here.

I would like to fit a detachable towbar to a 2014.5 XC60 R-Design. My preference would be to fit a Westfalia as, through many years of using various towbars, I consider them the best design and least obtrusive when fitted. I have been quoted £575 by my regular fitter, which includes the Volvo OEM wiring kit.

Does anyone have any pictures of a Westfalia bar fitted to an R-Design bumper? Sadly, it seems that a lot of pictures have been lost from this forum over the years, and I can't find a thread that contains any now

Many thanks, in advance.

Daern

[Matto]

I wanted one for my r design, Westfailia list it as incompatible with the r design.
I contacted Westfailia direct and they said it wouldn't fit and sent me a picture of what appeared to be a v50.
I sent them a picture of an xc60 and they said it should fit and offered to work with a supplier to test the bar.
Might be worth speaking to them if you are looking at having one fitted.
I am fitting myself and they were unwilling to offer any fitment confirmation.

[daern]

Originally Posted by Matto

I wanted one for my r design, Westfailia list it as incompatible with the r design.
I contacted Westfailia direct and they said it wouldn't fit and sent me a picture of what appeared to be a v50.
I sent them a picture of an xc60 and they said it should fit and offered to work with a supplier to test the bar.
Might be worth speaking to them if you are looking at having one fitted.
I am fitting myself and they were unwilling to offer any fitment confirmation.

Hmm, interesting. My fitting company (PDACAR in Harrogate) spoke to Westfalia this morning and apparently they confirmed that their documentation has been updated and that the removable swan-neck bar does indeed fit the R-Design model.

Have you made any decision on what you plan to do? My Westfalia bar on my old 5-series tourer was 100% invisible and a beautifully made thing, so I'm loathed to fit any other bar, although I guess an OEM bar is always an option, if a rather expensive one.

[Matto]

I have, I have bought another (cheaper) brand which is listed to fit although I have bought the westfailia dedicated wiring harness.

My last contact with them was only on the 5th of Jan,.

I am sure it will fit and they seemed confident but wouldn't confirm so I left it.

[daern]

Originally Posted by Matto

I have, I have bought another (cheaper) brand which is listed to fit although I have bought the westfailia dedicated wiring harness.

My last contact with them was only on the 5th of Jan,.

I am sure it will fit and they seemed confident but wouldn't confirm so I left it.

Can't blame you. Good luck with the fit!

[Matto]

Thanks, the westfailia site hasn't been updated, still says not r design, but the dealer's may know more.

I will be annoyed of they confirm it fits less than a month after I asked! 😞

[wimorrison]

Originally Posted by Matto

I have, I have bought another (cheaper) brand which is listed to fit although I have bought the westfailia dedicated wiring harness.

My last contact with them was only on the 5th of Jan,.

I am sure it will fit and they seemed confident but wouldn't confirm so I left it.

do you still require the software update from Volvo to make the car work correctly with a towbar using the Westfalia harness?

[daern]

Originally Posted by wimorrison

do you still require the software update from Volvo to make the car work correctly with a towbar using the Westfalia harness?

The Westfalia electrics are actually more or less identical to the Volvo ones, using the same electrical connections, but apparently, the software update only disables the fog lights and reversing sensors when you have a trailer attached. The stability control stuff is baked into the car already. I've even read that most cars will just do it automatically without needing to be programmed and Westfalia state that no programming is needed.

I rarely use fog lights (personally, I think they should be banned on all cars anyway!) and I have a button on the dash to turn off the reversing buzzer when towing. If it really bugs me, I'll pay the Volvo tax, but I never bothered with my old XC90 and I probably won't here.

[XCmacca]

I fitted my own tow bar on Sunday, not a difficult job if you have the tools and a bit of know how
I choose the Tow Trust bar as it is a good quality and unseen on my R-Design, good price from https://www.towbars-uk.co.uk/product...chable-towbar/
I then used the Volvo dedicated trailer wiring from https://www.volvopartshop.com/13-pin...17-16510-p.asp
I did plug the caravan in but lights did not work and on pressing the brake the indicator lights came on, booked in to have the module activated and software downloaded on thursday at main dealer.... cost £55, all should work fine then