I recently got a 2020 XC90. I know that the trailer hitch is electronic and needs to be installed by a dealer. 1. Will a hitch bike rack fit it? 2. If I add a u-haul hitch instead, will that void my warranty? Also, will they need to cut the bumper to install it? I am thinking of just getting the electeonic one installed by the dealer.

 

why would a trailer hitch be "electronic"? there's going to be two components, the hitch frame that bolts to the car and the wiring harness to drive the lights on the trailer. The wiring harness is what's special so as to not draw too much current through the lighting circuits. If you just want to have a hitch for a bike rack, then you don't need the wiring harness. I've used e-trailer.com when I installed a hitch on my wife's car and found their website's content to be very helpful, plus they sell vehicle specific harnesses and hitch frames.

 

It's electronic because the new hitch for the 2020 is hidden behind the bumper when not in use. Volvo adds a button in the trunk to release the hitch for use. That's why it is so expensive. I have looked at e-trailer and saw the one you are talking about. I watched the install video and I saw how it just bolts on. What I don;t like is that the heat shield needs to be cut for install and some other minor trimming needs to be done. Those are pretty much the only 2 options I have, other then the roof bike rack. What year is your XC90?

 

Did a Toyota Highlander not an XC where there wasn't the option of the "hidden" hitch vs the old school bolt on frame. As for bikes, my 850 Wagon was the peleton chase car :-) and we used the factory bike rack for the roof. Volvo did a nice job there - there are small mount holes in the door frames to keep the cross bars aligned and secure. Curious if they kept that feature (assume you already have roof bars?). I think there's something to be said about the hidden rear hitch and use that for the bikes. IMHO unless your stashing a very light frame bike up top, putting on the roof always risks a mistake and a paint dig. I don't travel with bikes anymore but I know I can rent a trailer hitch bike rack from U-Haul when needed. If I were to go for a new XC90, I'd probably opt for the factor set up as well. Expensive yes, but if you keep the car for the long haul it will be worth it. Plus that leaves the roof free for the Thule car top carrier (something we use regularly for vacations etc). Post up how you make out. Good luck!

 

Thanks for the feedback. I don’t know if the holes in the frame are there and I need to purchase the crossbars for the roof rails. The new rails are now flush. I can get a tailgate mounted rack, but I need to find out about one because there is no place to secure it because of the flush rails and rear spoiler. As for u-haul, they have no option for a tow bar for the 2020.

 

does Volvo offer a hitch mounted bike carrier in their accessories catalog? My reference to Uhaul was not for the hitch but for the bike carrier that slides into the hitch. it now looks like they want to sell you the carrier vs simply renting for the day. Maybe that's a call to a local dealer to see if they rent. BTW, I got my Thule at Outdoor Sports in Wilton (Rt 7 just over the Norwalk border). Saw the Riley plates and figure you're in the area. They also sell all sorts of bike racks (lol and some very expensive Cannondales - also made in Wilton).

 

I think Volvo has a hitch mounted one that they offer. I actually have one that I used on my previous two SUV’s, which were an Explorer and a Grand Cherokee. I need to replace it, now that I have 4 bikes. I was actually going to go to Outdoor Sports in Wilton tomorrow. I work in Norwalk, so it is easy for me to get there, but live in Westchester, NY. The problem is that I need to have the actual hitch installed or get one that goes on the trunk.

 

I've installed several of these, the heat shield is not trimmed. I believe the bike rack can be used but there is a weight limit. You'd have to check the specs in the accessory catalog.

 

I just had the Dealer install the hitch on my 2019. As someone mentioned, it is hidden away until you press a button then it pops down and you manually lock it into place. They also do a software update that includes sway control when trailering and a special view when backing to line up the hitch. Just my opinion but I really like the job that they did, the quality of the hitch, the software, and the tow capacity.

 

We just had this very expensive hitch installed and it ONLY comes with a 2" ball. That's fine for our boat. BUT we have a small flatbed trailer for hauling stuff and that has a 1 7/8" ball. Volvo does not offer any other ball assembly proprietary to their hitch other than a 2". AND... so far none of the after market hitch sleeves that we try align with the pin position.

Anyone else having this issue? Anyone have a solution?

 

we also had the electronic hitch installed, great quality love design. However, our utility trailer ball is 2 5/16th AND no one at Volvo can tell me if there is wiring for trailer breaks. Anyone towi g anything with trailer breaks, how did you connect?

 

we also had the electronic hitch installed, great quality love design. However, our utility trailer ball is 2 5/16th AND no one at Volvo can tell me if there is wiring for trailer breaks. Anyone towi g anything with trailer breaks, how did you connect?

 

We just purchased a ‘20 T8 and are having the dealer install the hitch receiver. Isn’t it just a standard 2” square receiver? If so, You can go to U-haul and purchase a hitch and multiple size tow *****, can’t you?

 

We are looking at getting this hitch installed as well. Have you ever mounted a Cargo Carrier on the hitch?

 

I have not used a cargo carrier with the hitch, only a bike rack. I am considering getting the ski/snowboard carrier though.

 

Volvo XC90 OEM electric release hidden stealth hitch that swings out from underneath. There is NO Brake Controller option that can be installed on this vehicle. You will need to get a wireless Bluetooth Brake Controller that hooks up between the trailer wiring and the tow vehicle's 7-way plug/socket. Very Easy DIY. No perm install.. Easy install, easy remove.. Amazon $244

CURT 51180 Echo Mobile Electric Trailer Brake Controller with Bluetooth-Enabled Smartphone Connection, Proportional, Black PLastic, 9 x 9 x 3 inches, BLACK PLASTIC

 

I just bought a 2022 XC90 Recharge. And, I pick it up on Wedneday. I just realized I completely forgot about the trailer hitch. What did you pay to purchase and install the Volvo hitch. I don't want to go third party on this and just need some guidance. I am going to call the dealer and ask to have it done prior to pick up. The link is the hitch that I have found as a Volvo accessory.

https://www.volvodealeraccessories.c...hitch-32259539

 

The 2021 XC90 came with the OEM hide-away hitch. The dealer said it was installed at the port of entry.
The Volvo dealer also had to install and activate the hitch software which would've cost an additional $250. They did not charge me.. There is NO Volvo brake controller option. You will need to purchase an external WI-FI device. I am very glad this unit came with the hitch and the suspension package.