XC90: bike transportation + tow bar question

[bippysan]

Hi there, what do other XC90 owners use to transport bikes?

We have two adult bikes and a child's bike to transport (other child's bike usually goes in the boot). Previously, we used the 3 bike Saris Bones on our last car but will need to buy Hatch Huggers if we want to use it on the XC90 and Saris warn we can only load two bikes due to the weight bearing limit. The XC90 is bigger than our last car so the Saria Bones is no longer as easy for me to use.

We only occasionally transport bikes. E.g. odd weekend here and there when we go on bikes rides and perhaps once a year driving to France.

I'm short and would struggle lifting bikes up to a roof rack. If we had a tow bar already, I'd be happy to invest in a tow rack but I don't and Volvo tell me it will cost around £1,750 for them to fix an electric semi retractable one. I don't think we need that! This was presented as the only option we had for a tow bar which can't be right.

Firstly, how do you transport your bikes on an XC90?

Secondly, if you use a tow bar, do you have a fixed or detachable one? Do they set off the rear sensors if fixed? Finally, where did you get yours installed if done retroactively and how much did it cost? The car is still under warranty so I'm unsure if I need to go to Volvo to have this done so we don't invalidate the warranty.

Many thanks in advance!

[S60D5-185]

What year and model XC90 is it?

[SwissXC90]

If you XC90 is still under warranty then it is likely the newer generation XC90

I have a YM2009 XC90, the older generation

My car was fitted with the factory detachable towbar in the factory

I use a Thule foldable bike carrier to mount on the towbar, it is fantastic
The previous generation to this one, but looks the same:
https://www.thule.com/en-gb/gb/bike-...-xt-2-_-933300

It is foldable and fits inside the cargo compartment when not in use - I remove it when I part somewhere for the day, as I don't want people driving into it, of trying to remove it themselves...

I also have roofrack Thule bike carriers but have never used them on the XC90 as the rear towbar carrier is simply much much better.
I have a garage and can load everything up in the garage, couldn't do that if I put the bike on the roof.

When using a towbar fitted bike carrier, the bike carrier will have lights. So you connect the lights to the trailer socket, and thus the car electrics think a trailer is connected. This means that the reverse parking sensors are disabled, and the rear fog lamp lights on the bike carrier only, and not on the car.

Having used roof mounts on my previous car, and now using a towbar bike carrier, I can only strongly recommend the towbar carriers. They are simply the best

I've never used tailgate "strap-ons" and wouldn't want to, I never think they are that good. And my tailgate is fiberglass anyway.

[bippysan]

Originally Posted by S60D5-185

What year and model XC90 is it?

2014 model so not the new one. Warranty is from Volvo for another twelve months.

[1monkey600]

Originally Posted by bippysan

2014 model so not the new one. Warranty is from Volvo for another twelve months.

Did volvo think you had the new one to offer you an electrically retractable one for £1750.

The older xc90 have the same options as the xc60 and xc70, etc. I.e. Fixed or detachable. I think usually around £850 fitted for detachable.
https://accessories.volvocars.com/en...ck-n-load/2014

Also loads of 3rd party ones available although would always recommend original volvo wiring and module. Thule/Brink (same company) make the official volvo ones.

My genuine xc70 detachable one (from FRF) cost me about £400 all-in, including software, but I fitted all the hardware myself.
They are usually fairly straightforward to fit yourself, except for software which has to come from a volvo dealer or specialist.
https://accessories.volvocars.com/In...XC90(-14)/2014

[4x4]

I have an Atera Strada on my towball and it’s great, the roof mounted carrier is too high to reach so I sold it as having to use a ladder to load/remove the bike wasn’t going to happen





[/QUOTE]

[bippysan]

Thanks everyone. Seems like a tow rack is a better and a viable option!

[bippysan]

Originally Posted by 1monkey600

Did volvo think you had the new one to offer you an electrically retractable one for £1750.

The older xc90 have the same options as the xc60 and xc70, etc. I.e. Fixed or detachable. I think usually around £850 fitted for detachable.
https://accessories.volvocars.com/en...ck-n-load/2014

Also loads of 3rd party ones available although would always recommend original volvo wiring and module. Thule/Brink (same company) make the official volvo ones.

My genuine xc70 detachable one (from FRF) cost me about £400 all-in, including software, but I fitted all the hardware myself.
They are usually fairly straightforward to fit yourself, except for software which has to come from a volvo dealer or specialist.
https://accessories.volvocars.com/In...XC90(-14)/2014

This is all very helpful. Thank you.

[1monkey600]

Originally Posted by bippysan

This is all very helpful. Thank you.

You are welcome.
You may also find this thread interesting:
https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=282556

[bippysan]

Me again.

Has anyone used Towbar Express or can recommend other specialist companies to install a towbar? Dealership have quoted £900 alone for the Volvo towbar excluding labour costs. They will only fit a Volvo supplied towbar too. This seems quite steep to us. Towbar Express quoted just shy of £500 including fitting. The quotes are so far apart I'm wondering whether it will be a case of get what you pay for.

Any advice welcome if you used anyone other than Volvo to install a towbar. Unfortunately, fitting ourselves is beyond our competencies!