V50 tow bar fitting

[chrisga]

We recently bought a V50 and would like to fit a tow bar. The car we have has reverse sensors. Does anyone have experience of whether a fixed tow bar interferes with the reversing sensors on a V50? Don't have an issue with aesthetics of a fixed bar and they are of course cheaper but just don't want the bleepers going off everytime we select reverse. Equally would be a bit miffed if we shelled out extra for a removable bar and then it had no effect on the sensors at all.

Thanks in advance.

[Justin S]

Our V50 we owned had a fixed towbar and when nothing was attached they worked as normal. When my bike carrier was attached, they would scream that we were on point of impact, but there is a silence button on the centre console to make life quieter.

[chrisga]

Thanks Justin, that's good news. Will have to look out for the switch to turn off sensors if there's a problem. Think we'll go for the fixed type bar.

[MagicalTrevor]

I believe that they can tweak the ECU so that it disables the parking sensors when put in reverse (with something connected). However, when my tow bar was fitted (V40) they didn't do it. I just press the button, I don't tow often enough for it to be a big problem.

[loskie]

I got the Volvo dealer to fit a Witter fixed towbar to my V50 when I bought it in 2009.
I made it quite clear i did not want the bumper cut and they fitted the appropriate witter bar. What this does mean though is that sometimes going up short steep inclines (especially with rear passengers and not necessarily fat ones) that the towbar scrapes on the ground.
the ones I have seen with a bumper cut sit higher and the bumper cut is not at all unsightly. With hindsight I should have gone for this.

[telecat]

I have a Witter Detachable "Flange" Towbar fitted to my V60. They is one available for the V50 as well as the Detachable "Swan Neck". I'd go for one of those. I carry a 65KG (wet) Motorcycle on mine so unless you plan on towing another car it should be OK. Oh and it didn't cost what the Witter website cam up with. Try a local fitter and it will be cheaper, more atheistically pleasing and you don't knock you legs on it either.

Edited by telecat on Saturday 28th March 18:16