Tow bar electrics/Volvo

many a thread on here about Volvo towbars, and not having the permanent live fitted. personally I would go to an independent specialist as they fit towbars all day long and would be a lot cheaper.  

KM. If you let us know which area you are in I'm sure you will get many recommendations for good towbar fitters. If you are around South Wales google towbar solutions wales. HAd mine done by Martyn . No complaints, everything works and reasonable price. 

I have an XC60 and thought about the same thing but in the end I agreed a price with the dealer for peace of mind and to avoid any warranty problems should they arise.

I've noticed the warranty issue does seem to rear it's head on occasions, although I suspect it is more of a scare tactic used by dealers rather than anything legally correct isn't it?  I'm in the North Nottinghamshire area by the way - so if anyone can recommend a decent fitter that would be very helpful.  

I have an XC90 and opted for an electric towbar factory fitted. Superb and all electrics work fine. Personally if you buy a new car costing that amount of money and wish to tow an expensive caravan, why skimp on the towbar? The electric Volvo one, as I said, is superb and the back of the car is so neat when it is retracted. OK, you pay your money and take your choice, but personally it is a no-brainer.

Looking at it the other way, it amuses me when you see 10s of thousands of pounds worth of new car with a cheapo 2 bolt flange tow bar stuck out at the back.

(Cue calls of ..... I like 2 bolt flange tow bars 🙄)

See my "More Towbar Woes" on this page relevant to an XC60. Personally I would stick to the Volvo fitted bar these cars are more and more complicated and if any problems arise from an after fit bar its a gift to them to refuse responsibility. By the way its an excellent towcar and pleased with mine.

We have had several  Volvos in the past, the last an XC90, all with Volvo dealer fitted tow bars and all have been 100% correctly fitted with all pins connected, maybe we just had a decent dealer!

We just made it clear to them that we were towing a caravan and that we needed everything to work.

Thanks for the comments so far.  The ones relating to Volvo fitted ones seem positive. I assume these are Bosal tow bars (that is the make my local dealer told me Volvo use). However, as I put in my original post, I have since read that Bosal have apparently gone into administration and ceased trading. Has anyone else heard this?  Apparently it is not the first time for this company.  Worrying perhaps.  

Our XC90 was new in 2007, our towbar, ordered with the car, was a Brink, so they have not always used Bosal

We now have a VW Touareg, also with a Brink detachable fitted, in the past we have had a Witter, so no experience of Bosal