I just got my wife a nice 2002 V70 XC AWD that has the factory hitch with the ball. What is the best way to adapt a square reciever?

 

It seems that all the things other than one that I can think of hitch to a square receiver and the Volvo factory hitch has only a ball. I know many had to run into this long before now and come up with a great solution.

 

Is this a European spec vehicle? NA spec vehicles have a receiver hitch. Euro-spec vehicles often have a hitch receiver shaped like a small, flat rectangle hidden behind the rear bumper in which the hitch slides UP into.

That being said, you could always have the hitch now on the vehicle removed and have U-Hual bolt on a 2" receiver hitch.

 

It is US Specs. I will get the exact factory option code it has a cover over a round hitch and the tool kit includes a ball that slides on.

 

That sounds like the standard NA spec hitch, made up a square 2" receiver into which you slide the hitch bar/ball. When the bar is not installed the receiver (the hole) is plugged ith a black rubber plug stamped VOLVO. Pull out the rubber plug and you can install any receiver type bike rack, such as those made by Thule, Yakima, Saris, Kuat, etc. You only use the hitch bar and ball if you want to pull a trailer.

 

Yes, but how do I go from round to square?

 

Round to square? The receiver, if on a NA spec vehicle, is already square. Attach a photo as you might not be looking at what I think you are looking at.

 

When I remove the plastic cover I see a round (male end) receiver and in the tool kit with the spare tire there is a L shaped cast piece with a tow ball on the end that fits over the round part and locks in place, The original window sticker shows it to be a N/A car. In the owner's Manual under TOWING it also shows the hitch.

 

Unless I am missing something this is not the NA towbar but the old Euro spec on. I had something exactly like this on my old Mercedes wagon. The US receiver has a 2"x2" square hole. The older Euro receivers had a 1 1/2" or so round hole. Beyond that I just can't help without a picture.

 

 

That's the Euro spec model. Normal North America spec accessories, such as bike rack, won't work with this one.

 

http://www.v70xc.com/forums/showthre...ighlight=hitch

 

So it seems my hitch is Euro. There are two bolts that hold the round part in. Is it possible if I remove that to install a 2" receiver (factory) and use the existing holes and bolts ?

 

It should be. I would follow up with U-Haul. They typically do a great job getting a hitch at a reasonable price.

 

We have the same issue a 00 v70 awd se with the round receiver. How did you end up putting the 2" x 2" square mount and ball on the OEM round male? I can't find an online OEM microfiche for the part number, our dealer just wants us to trade it in.