Hi guys
I am thinking of adding a towing hitch to my 2003 s60.
What towing equipment should I get and what do you recommend?

UPDATE:
I called a Volvo dealership and their estimate was over $900 ($550 material) for hardware, electronics, computer, installation, etc.
Then I called a towing specialist garage and their estimation was $350 including installation. They said nothing about any computer or modification to software. What do you think?

thanks

 

Depends on what you are towing. Heavier or taller trailer and you should definitely add a transmission cooler. Either way you need the pigtail that includes a converter for the trailer lights because trailers use a stop/tail/turn bulb on each side where your car has stop/tail in one bulb and turn is a separate bulb. Tell me what you are towing and I will help you with a recommendation. I have many years of towing set up experience.

 

I will be occasionally towing a motorcycle trailer or other light weight trailers.
Question is how come there is such a big difference between dealership and non-dealership tow hitches? Dealer says I have to add a computer otherwise I will be getting a lot of errors and warnings. Other garages say nothing about this and their price is les than 1/2.

 

check at Reese hitches

 

I did. According to their fit guide they don't have anything that fits 2003 Volvo s60!


My question is still : what's the story with computer? why Volvo dealers package include computer? is it needed?

 

I don't know what "computer" they would be talking about unless they are calling the trailer wiring converter a computer.

As for your "small motorcycle trailer, unless it is a small dirt bike, etc. with the trailer and bike you would be approaching 1,000 lbs. Certainly well more than you are ever likely to have in the car in passengers and luggage. I would highly recommend the trans cooler and fresh fluid. Your car isn't a young pup anymore. etrailer.com shows several hitch choices with an estimated 30 minute install time and no drilling. The hitch choices start at $150, wiring kit at $49, and trans cooler at $35 all with free shipping on orders over $99. I would go with the towing specialist shop, but ask them to add a trans cooler too and I'll bet you are still close to 1/2 what the dealer wants for only the hitch and wiring.

 

thanks for advice I was worried about what the dealership parts people said.

 

I worked for a company called Rack N Road a while back and we specialized in roof racks, pickup truck accessories and hitches. We usually stocked CURT brand hitches. Having installed them on newer suvs like Porsche Cayennes and BMW X5's, there was never any computer that needed to be added. The manufacturer provides an easy to adapt wiring harness like you would use for an aftermarket radio headunit that would control the taillights and accessories for the trailers.
+1 for adding an optional transmission oil cooler.

 

I would check on Ebay, you can easily get a hitch for less than 200 with a wiring harness.

I know I bought one from there 5 years ago for my Vibe.


$131 for a class 3
$154 for a class 2
$167 for a class 1

Take your time and select what your needs are and I am sure it will work out and free shipping to boot.

 

thanks for replies & info guys. I guess dealership guys are the same in every brand.

 

That's how they make a living, the upsell. I don't blame them for it, I was once a stealership employee.
The primary advantage to having work done at the dealership is a rock-solid warranty on the labor and parts installed. Many independent service shops don't offer that coverage, if they do it's usually not as long a period as the dealership will warrant and it should be a no-questions asked affair when you bring it back.