Unfortunately, I installed it at night, so I wasn’t able to photograph much of the installation process, therefore the factory service diagram will be used as substitute.
This guide will be divided into two main parts, feel free to skip around
- My thoughts to help you decided if factory hitch is right for you
- Parts, tools needed, and both hardware and software installation procedures, this part will be attached as a standalone PDF file.
1. My review:
First, a quick cost breakdown, prices are in USD before tax order was placed on 2023.02.06, therefore prices are not current, for detailed parts table please see the attached installation file.
- Tow hitch kit – $795.92
- Trailer control module (TRM) – $150.32
- Hitch actuator button – $31.62
- Miscellaneous parts – $10
- VIDA 3-day subscription – $84.14
- TRM software reload – $45.77
Overall, I spent a little under $1000 on tow hitch parts + $130 on TRM software and VIDA, so that around $1400 on parts and software after shipping and tax, and the installation should take about 2 to 3 hours of your time assuming you are okay with tools and VIDA, and I recommend getting a second person to help you with some steps.
Since there isn’t anything particularly frustrating during the installation process, this should make a fun weekend project.
One thing that I’d like to address first, I’ve seen several people ask if they can install this hitch made for SPA V60CC on their regular SPA S60/V60.
The short answer is YES for V60 because someone did it already, unsure for S60, but most likely it should work.
The complete answer is,
- Tow hitch will physically fit both V60 and V60CC since they both use the same rear crush bar (part# 31656936), rear section (part# 32133493) and rear frame rails (part# 32351410, part# 32351411), although S60 has a different rear section and rear frame rail (at least the part numbers are different), it still uses the same rear crush bar, therefore the bolt pattern should be identical to V60 and V60CC, so at least in theory, the hitch should fit.
- In some markets SPA S60 can be equipped with a folding tow bar, however no official 1.25″ square tube type tow hitch is available.
- Electronically, I think the hitch should work on S60, in other markets where S60 tow bar is available, it uses the same TRM with different software loaded (13pin trailer connector vs 7&4 pin), in VIDA, software made for 13pin hitch is available to flash in the US despite us not having that particular tow hitch. TBH, I don’t see any reason for Volvo to not install the 2 pre-routed TRM wire in US spec S60, and go out of their way to software block US spec S60 from installing TRM software. I’ll confirm the wiring on my S60, and report back sometimes.
- US spec S60 also has the hitch drop down cutout under the bumper cover
With all the evidence we have, I think most likely the same tow hitch will work on SPA S60, in retrospect, I really should’ve installed the hitch on my S60 instead, because it has the more powerful T6 engine, and it’s covered by extended warranty lol… Anyway, if I ever decide to add a hitch to my S60, I’ll make a post about the installation as well.
So do I recommend it?
TL;DR, I do recommend it, however it’s still a bad value IMO.
Ultimately, $1130 in parts and software before tax, shipping and installation is a lot to spend on a Class II 1-1/4 in. tow hitch, for comparison your only alternative (that I know of in the US) is Stealth Hitch with tow kit, which will run you about $940 in parts before tax, shipping and installation.
There are few differences, such as Stealth Hitch has lifetime warranty, and it comes with Class III 2 inch receiver instead of Class II, 1.25 inch on the Volvo hitch, this can be convenient since many hitch mount accessories are made for 2″ receiver, so you can eliminate the adapter. However, towing capacity and tongue weight rating will be the same regardless of which hitch you choose, according to the owner’s manual, my 2020 V60CC is rated up to 2000lbs braked trailer and 200lbs tongue weight, this is far below the requirement of Class III hitch, therefore you won’t be able to tow or carry more cargo with the Stealth Hitch 2″ receiver.
But on the other hand, installation process seems less elegant for the Stealth Hitch, it involves splicing into the factory wiring, and it does not take advantage of trailer stability assist due to the lack of TRM. Not to mention, folding tow hitch is pretty cool.
With that said, for the price of Volvo OEM tow hitch, there is a lot of room for improvement. The quality of the tow hitch is good, and it feels very solid and well built, but the downside is you need to trim the bottom of the bumper. My V60CC has the exterior scuff plates package, and I had to trim the underside of rear bumper aluminum scuff plate as well, although it no longer interferes with the hitch deployment, hitch will still rub against it sometimes.
Another thing to note is the dimension of the hitch, some hitch ball mount (such as CURT 45503) might not fit because the distance from the end of receiver tube to hitch pin is too long. Additionally, the depth of the hitch receiver tube is limited, measuring 1.6 inches from the center of the hitch pin to the rear end of the receiver tube. I can provide the exact measurement later, if needed.
There is an OEM Volvo tow ball available (part# 32259551), however I’m using a different towing setup, which is CURT 45016 ball mount + CURT 40246 cushioned tow ball.
2. Hardware and software installation
Like I said earlier, I wasn’t able to document most of the installation procedures, therefore I’ll be using factory diagram as substitute.
Full instructions are attached below as a PDF file, a backup copy can be found here in google drive, the password to view is VOLVOV60, all caps. Instructions should contain all the information you need to tackle this DIY job.
However, due to possible regional differences as well as any changes that may have occurred during the production, you MUST check with your parts suppliers prior to installation to ensure the correct parts fitment for your particular vehicle VIN number, and obtain the CORRECT software part number for your installation.
Again, do it at your own risk, use proper PPE, I do not assume any liability.
The pictures used in my instructions credit Volvo service info and their hitch installation guide. I do not own the rights to these images.