[V50_M66]

So I got the last trailer hitch in the country for my P2 XC70 a year or so ago and stupidly forgot to get the trailer wiring harness at the same time. So now of course, I can't find the wiring harness anywhere and refuse to put in one of those universal things and hack up the wiring. Does anyone know where I can get the Volvo harness or know the part number so I can peruse eBay and Marketplace? Thanks

 

[NTXC]

I put in a 3rd party one in about 30 minutes, haven’t had any issues. That said, it’s a standard wiring harness, not one that supports trailer br. I got it through etrailer which is also where I got my hitch.

Curt Multi-function Power Tail Light Converter - 4-way Flat

I know it’s not what you’re asking for, but figured it’s at least something to consider. I had a fantastic experience on the phone with etrailer which I really wasn’t expecting at all.

 

[V50_M66]

I put in a 3rd party one in about 30 minutes, haven’t had any issues. That said, it’s a standard wiring harness, not one that supports trailer br. I got it through etrailer which is also where I got my hitch.

Curt Multi-function Power Tail Light Converter - 4-way Flat

I know it’s not what you’re asking for, but figured it’s at least something to consider. I had a fantastic experience on the phone with etrailer which I really wasn’t expecting at all.

My dad put one of those in his Mitsubishi Pajero. It's ok, but if I can go the official route I'd much rather do that, especially since that kit is like $150 now

I did find this wiring harness for the P2 XC90 and V70 (supposedly - the fitment guide seems kinda weird) - any chance this will work?

 

[NTXC]

Don’t take my word for it, but I think there are few if any differences in the V70 vs XC70 wiring harnesses as they’re essentially the same car.

 

[V50_M66]

Don’t take my word for it, but I think there are few if any differences in the V70 vs XC70 wiring harnesses as they’re essentially the same car.

Yeah that was my thought as well. It does state 05+ and I know that was a big changeover year, so maybe that's an issue? But the module for the trailer wiring that FCP has states compatibility with 05+ V70 but 03+ XC90. Very confusing

 

[V50_M66]

Found it!
Volvo Tow Hitch Wiring Harness - Genuine Volvo - 30681980 | FCP Euro
PN 30681980
Doesn't seem to need a module like 05+ according to one of the reviews.
Now to find the discontinued Euro 7 pin to US 4 pin connector that I also need for my '98 Emerald - PN 8633880

 

[V50_M66]

Found it on Pelican Parts for the whopping cost of $135.50 (link). That's not happening.
Found basically the same thing for Land Rover from eTrailer (link) for $27. That's more like it.

 

[Island_V70]

I have the official kit on my 2005. Besides for working well, it changes the shift pattern when a trailer is connected.

 

[V50_M66]

I have the official kit on my 2005. Besides for working well, it changes the shift pattern when a trailer is connected.

Oh sweet. Wonder if mine will too without that module that 05+ cars have. If it does, I’ll leave a trailer light tester plugged in all the time for a free trans tune

 

[EngTech]

Hey Guy - Good to Here about these Options , I have some Towing Experience with Other Vehicles . .
But NO Experience with Wiring up of Hitches on Volvo's None !

Just Picked Up a V70 as Full Time second Vehicle - Sweet Find with Only 86K - Lady has 920K Home in Florida
Garaged , I was like Wow are U Sure ?

Wasn't even Washed in 8 months High & Dry - all - Original ./.

I Mean I got to see it in It's Raw State . . She Bumped Garage side with Mirror , so Have to take care of that ..Not Very Many Options on these V70 unless U get an R ..

I didn't want to get into the Oil Ring Issues many are having with 4 cly & some with Later 5 cly.
Which I was Very Concerned with Hearing .. & Reading about . .

Sure Glad to see Volvo Owners Going After Volvo , as their Lawyers are trying to do same Thing Honda &
GM & Ford etc. are all Doing which is Denying 100% or Selecting Very Narrow Group

Like Their Records from 3rd Party Vendors are 90% Accurate ..

Let You Know what I Find - as getting ready to take it on Road Trip ..

Plans for Trailer Hitch -

 

[V50_M66]

Hey Guy - Good to Here about these Options , I have some Towing Experience with Other Vehicles . .
But NO Experience with Wiring up of Hitches on Volvo's None !

Just Picked Up a V70 as Full Time second Vehicle - Sweet Find with Only 86K - Lady has 920K Home in Florida
Garaged , I was like Wow are U Sure ?

Wasn't even Washed in 8 months High & Dry - all - Original ./.

I Mean I got to see it in It's Raw State . . She Bumped Garage side with Mirror , so Have to take care of that ..Not Very Many Options on these V70 unless U get an R ..

I didn't want to get into the Oil Ring Issues many are having with 4 cly & some with Later 5 cly.
Which I was Very Concerned with Hearing .. & Reading about . .

Sure Glad to see Volvo Owners Going After Volvo , as their Lawyers are trying to do same Thing Honda &
GM & Ford etc. are all Doing which is Denying 100% or Selecting Very Narrow Group

Like Their Records from 3rd Party Vendors are 90% Accurate ..

Let You Know what I Find - as getting ready to take it on Road Trip ..

Plans for Trailer Hitch -

What I found will only apply to 01-04 V70, S60, and XC70. '05+ is a different animal. Parts very much exist for non-R's just have to look. FCP Euro, IPD, Viva Performance, Elevate are just a few places

 

[weste46]

Found it!
Volvo Tow Hitch Wiring Harness - Genuine Volvo - 30681980 | FCP Euro
PN 30681980
Doesn't seem to need a module like 05+ according to one of the reviews.
Now to find the discontinued Euro 7 pin to US 4 pin connector that I also need for my '98 Emerald - PN 8633880

I bought this when I installed my Volvo hitch. I didn't realize it was a 7-pin Euro at the time. Unfortunately it doesn't have the same functionality as the US 7-blade. I might end up hacking into mine if we buy a camping trailer so it has charge/reverse light functionality. The signal vs position lights and rear fog aren't as useful to me.
It's also pretty annoying to have to have 2 adapters stacked together to use a 4-pin trailer lol.

 

[weste46]

I just saw this... too expensive though.

Volvo Trailer Hitch Wiring Adapter - Genuine Volvo 8633880

Volvo Trailer Hitch Wiring Adapter - Genuine Volvo 8633880

www.fcpeuro.com

EDIT:

Reese (118710) 7-Way European Style Round Pin to 4-Way Flat Adapter

Buy Reese (118710) 7-Way European Style Round Pin to 4-Way Flat Adapter at Amazon. Customer reviews and photos may be available to help you make the right purchase decision!

www.amazon.com

 

[V50_M66]

I absolutely hate American trailer wiring and electric brakes so the Euro 7 pin layout doesn't bother me. If I were to buy a trailer I'd rip all of the brakes and wiring out of it and convert to Euro 7 pin standard and replace the electric brakes with surge brakes.

That one on FCP was listed as no longer available like 2 weeks ago. Odd.
That Reese adaptor should work. I liked one a couple posts up I found on eTrailer that works well.

 

[weste46]

I absolutely hate American trailer wiring and electric brakes so the Euro 7 pin layout doesn't bother me. If I were to buy a trailer I'd rip all of the brakes and wiring out of it and convert to Euro 7 pin standard and replace the electric brakes with surge brakes.

That one on FCP was listed as no longer available like 2 weeks ago. Odd.
That Reese adaptor should work. I liked one a couple posts up I found on eTrailer that works well.

Why do you abhor US trailer setups? It seems to me electronic brakes are definitely the way to go over surge, giving you control over bias and even being able to activate only the trailer brakes at will for things like quelling a sway. I also don't see the need for two power lines for each individual running light, but I do like the idea of having power back to the trailer for charging batteries. I might run the rear fog light switch to activate the same line for a reverse light bar so that I can choose to run a rear light bar off of a trailer even when the car isn't in reverse...

Oh well, you go for it then! I'm surprised on the trailer brake preference though!

 

[V50_M66]

Why do you abhor US trailer setups? It seems to me electronic brakes are definitely the way to go over surge, giving you control over bias and even being able to activate only the trailer brakes at will for things like quelling a sway. I also don't see the need for two power lines for each individual running light, but I do like the idea of having power back to the trailer for charging batteries. I might run the rear fog light switch to activate the same line for a reverse light bar so that I can choose to run a rear light bar off of a trailer even when the car isn't in reverse...

Oh well, you go for it then! I'm surprised on the trailer brake preference though!

I have had horrible luck with reliability on US trailer wiring. Seems like every time I towed my old trailer, something didn’t work. Also, since I don’t want or need a big ass truck to tow with, everything I would tow with I’d have to add a trailer brake controller, which is stupid and expensive in my mind when I’ve never had an issue with surge brakes the dozens of UHaul trailers I’ve pulled with a variety of different cars. Just make sure you load it properly and you should be fine. All of Europe uses surge brakes and doesn’t have an issue, and most of their tow ratings are higher than US ratings.

 

[bigtimemcalpine]

Well, clearly you can’t go wrong with the factory harness but just let it be know that these are a pretty serious rip-off. Curt provides an easy diy aftermarket solution at a fraction of the price. Yes you need to splice into a few brake wires but heck, even if you pay someone at uhaul to install you are still further ahead!


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[V50_M66]

Well, clearly you can’t go wrong with the factory harness but just let it be know that these are a pretty serious rip-off. Curt provides an easy diy aftermarket solution at a fraction of the price. Yes you need to splice into a few brake wires but heck, even if you pay someone at uhaul to install you are still further ahead!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

The Curt universal harness is $5 MORE than the Genuine harness. If the Volvo harness was stupid expensive I would have gone that route, but it was only $124 (link) when the Curt universal harness is around $130 (link) The Volvo one is easy (plug and play, no wiring required), built really well, and I don't have to hack up my wiring. I've used the Curt kit before on a different vehicle that didn't have an available factory harness, and it's okay and works alright, but is kind of a pain in the ass to wire, and I have to hack up the wiring. When the Volvo one is cheaper and plug-and-play, why would I even consider going that route?

 

[Dentedhoodv70]

I would suggest just going to the junkyard. Get one out of an XC90, a lot of those have trailer wiring and the plug is the same. The guy charged me $2 for it and I soldered it to my 7pin in my V70. I also picked up a Hopkins Insight brake controller and mounted it in the dash. (these allow you to hid the brain box in the dash) They are still $99 at Rural king. It was a pain to put all that in as I had to take the interior out to run the wires in the Positive trough to the back of the car. Put an additional fuse in the rear fuse bus next to the battery. I had to run the brake control cable to the back anyway, so I just added the power and brake light indicator wire as well. The only thing is that you have to add a diode on the brake light indicator circuit because the car grounds the brake lights when the lights are off. The controller expects an open.

Oh, and if you get a used harness, it may not have a pin added for always power/reverse/fog light. You have to pick one because the 7 pin doesn't have enough terminals. The correct pin size is in a plug behind the left rear speaker cover in a V70. Take one of the large pins out of that plug and it will work for the small pins in the trailer harness. You can pop the red part off of the plug with a small screw driver or your fingers, them pop the pin out from the front of the plug with a small screw driver. Ford Escorts (I think late 90's or early 2000's) used diodes in their fuse boxes. You just cut off a little tab on the diode and it will fit in a regular fuse holder. Easy to wire inline for the brake signal light.

 

[Dentedhoodv70]

If someone needs the pinout for the factory plug I can try and take a picture and post it here.