XC90: bike transportation + tow bar question

bippysan · Jul 7th, 2018, 05:32

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 · Jul 7th, 2018, 07:02

What year and model XC90 is it?

bippysan · Jul 7th, 2018, 09:28

Quote:

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 · Jul 7th, 2018, 11:12

Quote:

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 · Jul 7th, 2018, 22:14

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 · Jul 8th, 2018, 08:33

Quote:

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 · Jul 8th, 2018, 11:34

Quote:

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 · Jul 12th, 2018, 20:44

Including fitting, they quoted £1300 for a fixed towbar, not detachable.

Thanks for the info. I'll take a look at PF Jones and will also ring around a little more.

1monkey600 · Jul 12th, 2018, 22:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by bippysan

Including fitting, they quoted £1300 for a fixed towbar, not detachable.

Thanks for the info. I'll take a look at PF Jones and will also ring around a little more.

Where is the dealer you are talking to - Park Lane? For supply only, Retail price, ex-discounts, for fixed towbar and wiring is around £350, software purchase price (ex-installation) is usually less than £25
https://www.volvopartshop.com/towbar...ing-1040-c.asp

I would definitely try ringing around - Sentinel Volvo (north London?) has been mentioned a few times on the forum but I have never tried them.

bokabil · Jul 13th, 2018, 09:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by bippysan

Including fitting, they quoted £1300 for a fixed towbar, not detachable.

Thanks for the info. I'll take a look at PF Jones and will also ring around a little more.

Just for price comparison, I'm in Switzerland and had my detachable towbar installed by a Volvo dealer just across the border in Germany last year.

I paid 1050€ for everything. 660€ for parts/software, 223€ for labor, and the rest is sales tax.

Jul 7th, 2018, 05:32	#1
bippysan New Member Last Online: Jul 12th, 2018 20:44 Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: London	XC90: bike transportation + tow bar question 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! Last edited by bippysan; Jul 7th, 2018 at 05:40.

Jul 7th, 2018, 07:02	#2
S60D5-185 Me ? Surely Not! Last Online: Apr 5th, 2024 16:23 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: 2007 Volvo XC90 D5 Geartronic. South of Hadrians Wall.	What year and model XC90 is it? __________________ “Do the right thing. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest.” – Mark Twain 😊 2007 Volvo XC90 D5 SE Geartronic

Jul 7th, 2018, 22:14	#5
4x4 Premier Member Last Online: Today 19:14 Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: North of Hadrian's Wall & South of Antonine's Wall View Photos By: 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] __________________ MY2010 XC90 SE (M66-manual) Magic Blue (467) Sold MY1997 850 GLT (62,000 miles) Silver Sand (419) MY2005 V70 2.5T (66,000 miles) Willow Green (471) Volvo 850 GLT website

Jul 12th, 2018, 20:44	#8
bippysan New Member Last Online: Jul 12th, 2018 20:44 Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: London	Including fitting, they quoted £1300 for a fixed towbar, not detachable. Thanks for the info. I'll take a look at PF Jones and will also ring around a little more.

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