Detachable tow bar help

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TastyBurger

Original Poster:

26 posts

117 months

Friday 12th June 2020
quotequote all
I've just bought myself a lovely leggy old Volvo XC90 with the intention of using it to get my towing licence (post 2001 car licence so need it tow anything interesting)

The car has a tow bar already fitted but the detachable part is missing. I've looked everywhere in the car to no avail and the previous owner has never used it so it looks like a replacement will be necessary.
I was hoping someone on here might be able to point me in the right direction of what exactly I need to buy and where from, I have no idea of the brand of tow bar (possibly Volvo dealer fitted?) or even what type it is (detachable swan neck?). I am completely clueless about tow bars so any help would be greatly appreciated

Edited by TastyBurger on Friday 12th June 10:22

TastyBurger

Original Poster:

26 posts

117 months

Friday 12th June 2020
quotequote all


TastyBurger

Original Poster:

26 posts

117 months

Friday 12th June 2020
quotequote all
After some further research I'm pretty sure it is the Volvo OEM Thule (later branded as Brink) tow bar

Does anyone know if the detachable part is universal to all Thule/Brink tow bars since there are plenty on fleabay but none for this specific car. I think a replacement from the manufacturer is £200 odd so I'd rather avoid that.
Thanks again for helping out a newbie to this whole towing thing

TastyBurger

Original Poster:

26 posts

117 months

Friday 12th June 2020
quotequote all
I've just been out and had another thorough search of all the cubby holes, even in the back of the rear light clusters and it's definitely not there. Last owner had the car for 8 years and said he never saw it.
I rang a towbar place today and he said that some thule towbars are interchangeable between different cars but some aren't which wasn't particularly helpful. He'd happily sell me a new one for £200 though eek

TastyBurger

Original Poster:

26 posts

117 months

Saturday 13th June 2020
quotequote all
MDMA . said:
If you can wait until Monday, I'll get you a price. I buy a lot through work and have a good discount rate.
That would be perfect, thanks MDMA. This I why I love pistonheads, there's always someone out there for every little niche thing willing to help.

TastyBurger

Original Poster:

26 posts

117 months

Sunday 14th June 2020
quotequote all
Deerfoot said:
It looks like that Mazda 6 bar has a vertical fixture, the Volvo one is horizontal..
I think it was a joke about a certain sexual act that the diagram appears to be describing. Or maybe I've just got a filthy mind. As you say the Volvo is the horizontal type not vertical.

TastyBurger

Original Poster:

26 posts

117 months

Monday 15th June 2020
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MDMA . said:
Just spoken to the supplier. He needs to know the model number on the bar if possible. Should be a little plate on it somewhere.

Have you checked the spare wheel well? That's the normal hiding place for the removable part.

Edited by MDMA . on Monday 15th June 14:52
Thanks, I can't find a sticker or plate anywhere I believe it's on the part obscured by the bumper. I went to a local towbar place to see if they could identify it and they were 95% sure it is actually a Witter bar, they even managed to fit a spare witter swan neck on but the neck was too tall to be safe apparently.
I've found the part numbers from a new one for sale on ebay so hopefully they will be correct, if you could get me a price I would be very grateful.
Part number for full kit: VL37BQ
Main bar part number: VL37BU
Neck part number: ZQE2038
Thanks again