Towbar

Post by **Andy's-Old-Beast** » 18 Jan 2006 09:10 pm

Ok folks, I'm planning to fit a towbar to the 360 so I don't keep having to borrow my dad's Citroen.

Can anyone give me a clue as to where it attatches to the car? Is there an official 'manufactured' mounting point or do I just aim for a sturdy looking bit? Pictures would be fully handy if anyone fancies being heroic enough to crawl around under their car with a camera?

Also does anyone have experience of towing a caravan with a 360? How does the rear suspension cope with the weight? I guess it should have enough 'grunt' about it to do an acceptable job of moving it, but will the fuel consumption cripple my wallet? (B200K)

If anyone can help I'd be particularly grateful.

Ta very much, guys.

Post by **Chris_C** » 18 Jan 2006 09:45 pm

I bought a 340 one over the summer, fits on the... hand on, got to get it right now, think it fits on the bumper brackets, and you need to drill a hole or two in the boot. This is supposedly the official route, but I've seen several mount different. Foggy's is a scaffold type like mine, but some you can't see a bar on.

Post by **aukki** » 18 Jan 2006 10:03 pm

Here is one ugly pic

http://kotisivu.dnainternet.net/arizona ... towbar.JPG

Post by **petefarrell360** » 18 Jan 2006 10:50 pm

On my old GLT, it's an official twin electrics genuine Volvo, which the bumper mounts onto the towbar, then the towbar is mounted through the boot floor and possibly also where the bumper was mounted. Can't remember it too well, decided not to remove it in order to remove the bumper to replace a broken clip, silly design!

As for the 360 coping with it, it was a fairly big box trailer I towed, and not far thankfully, but it wasn't much fun. It got a tad warmer than normal dragging the extra weight, the wind resistance was a PITA and I wouldn't bother again!

I'll see if I can get some pictures of the mounts at some point. I do have a non official aftermarket one on another car, but I can't remember how that is mounted, I'll see if I can get pics of that. Might need to remind me though!
Pete

Post by **990** » 18 Jan 2006 11:23 pm

I have the official Volvo towbar on my 360, i'll nip out this weekend and have a look.
I'll try to get some pics of the fixings (if I can)

Post by **daffodil** » 19 Jan 2006 12:22 am

hi i have a spare 360 tow bar if you are interested
bolts to the bumper irons through the chassis
and also to each side of the spare wheel well
the 360 was tow car of the year at 1 time

Post by **foggyjames** » 20 Jan 2006 05:32 am

All things are relative...better than a Metro, worse than a Land Rover! Weight is a big factor, but caravans are (relatively) light.

MPG will drop significantly, but the B200K is still the most efficient engine they ever put in a 300 AFAIK (once it's warmed up and going).

cheers

James

Post by **Andy's-Old-Beast** » 20 Jan 2006 08:38 am

Thanks for the swift replies, everyone, especially to aukki for the picture.

I predict that running temp will be the main problem, due to the extra wind resistance. Most of the towing would be a 6x10' trailer which is only about 2' high, so shouldn't be too bad, the caravan is sort of "wost-case-scenario".

Daffodil, I was planning for a bit of 'welder vs scrap metal' action, but since Hitchen is not too far from me, what sort of price did you have in mind?

Cheers all

Post by **redline** » 20 Jan 2006 09:19 am

you can always try to get an engine oil cooler , its like a second radiator that fits behind the grille (much smaller) with pipes that go to a plate that fits under the oil filter and if you have a viscous type fan get an elaectric one, you should never tow anything more than 80 % of the kerbweight of the tow car, if your towing a caravan you could get a thing called a windjammer ( might be called windslammer )that fits on the roof ( i think like a roofbar) and deflects the air flow over the caravan all these parts are aftermarket and not origional volvo parts

Post by **redline** » 20 Jan 2006 09:22 am

bit of light reading for you

http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/towing.shtml

Post by **SoLaMaNdA** » 20 Jan 2006 10:39 am

daffodil, I might be interested in that too, but of course andy gets first rights

Post by **340GLT** » 20 Jan 2006 12:49 pm

Volvo did make one of those windslammer things for the roof Mick. Dunno about price and availability though!!!
Cheers Adam

Post by **foggyjames** » 20 Jan 2006 01:39 pm

I've never seen over 100deg C oil temp from my B200, even now I have the big carbs, so I don't think you need to worry about an oil cooler. Coolant temp shouldn't be a concern either, but if you are worried, just make sure everything is up to spec - mainly yout 'stat and radiator. My rad was totally shot!

cheers

James

Post by **daffodil** » 20 Jan 2006 04:27 pm

hi guys im looking for £15 for the tow bar and if i remember it has i single socket on it
i am sure it may even be a volvo part i will check this though

Post by **Andy's-Old-Beast** » 20 Jan 2006 09:16 pm

Sounds good to me, you got yourself a deal my friend! (Sorry, SoLaMaNdA!)

I assume it's for a mk1 but would fit the mk3 without any drama? I know the bumpers changed for the mk2 and 3 but I imagine the mounting points etc would be the same. Hopefully if anyone knows otherwise they'll speak up!

Are you available weekday evenings for me to collect? (sadly I don't think I can make Ludlow. Work, and other such tomfoolery

) If you PM a phone number I'll give you a call and sort out directions etc.

Thanks for the temp suggestions, it certainly could be said that my radiator is in a less than ideal condition, but I think I'll try it and see how it gets on as it is first.

Thanks folks.