Tow Hitch?

[Crack Monkey]

Hey all, I'll be picking up a V70 in the near future, and have a few question about towing hardware...

1. Has anybody used the factory Volvo hitch? It seems a member or two had problems with the old style round htich, but it has since been redesigned and now accepts a standard 2" hitch. Does it still require cutting the bumper?

2. Does Volvo require or recommend additional transmission cooler, oil cooler, etc with a hitch install? Don't want to run into warranty problems down the road. I know Honda does for the Odyssey, Pilot, and MDX.

The hitch will be used mostly for a bike rack and the occassional utility trailer (runs to Home Depot, yard debris, etc).

[Jackson58]

Im not 100% sure but I think the hitch for a V70 is 1 1/4" receiver (Class II) not the 2" receiver (Class III). I believe Hidden Hitch makes a Class II hitch that doesn't require cutting the bumper.

http://www.etrailer.com/produc...1&h=e

Like I said I'm not absolutely certain this is correct but I put a Hidden Hitch on our XC-90 which did not require me to cut the bumper. I did the installation myself in about 2 hours. I would also like to install a hitch on my V70XC but so far all I can find are ones with the Class II receiver. I even emailed etrailer about getting one with a Class III receiver and they said NO.

I would think the additional coolers would only be needed if you are doing heavier towing but again not 100% sure on that. I basically use mine for a bike rack as well.


Modified by Jackson58 at 4:05 PM 6-15-2005

[Crack Monkey]

Oh well, ordered the Hidden Hitch from Etrailer.com. Looks like all the aftermarket hitches are 1.25" and the Volvo one is 2". Not that it matters - the V70 is rated the same capacity either way.

I'll let y'all know how the install goes.

[Jackson58]

Are you sure the Volvo hitch is 2"? I was told by the service manager at my dealership that the Volvo hitch was 1.25" (Class II) since that is all V70XC is rated to tow.

[Crack Monkey]

Quote, originally posted by Jackson58 »

Are you sure the Volvo hitch is 2"? I was told by the service manager at my dealership that the Volvo hitch was 1.25" (Class II) since that is all V70XC is rated to tow.

Look at their website (Volvo's website, that is) - it lists it as a 2".

Either way, I installed the Hidden Hitch (1.25") last night. Easy as pie. Remove passenger side tie down hook. Remove driver side muffler bracket. Lift hitch into place. Insert three bolts on passenger side (loosely). Insert three bolts of driver side, sandwiching the muffler hanger between car and hitch. Tighten all six bolts.

It looks like any other hitch, so I didn't bother with pictures. Yes, it is visible. No, it didn't require bumper cutting or other non-reversible modifications.

[vintagemilano]

Yup, the volvo hitch is a 2" reciever, put one on myself last winter. The volvo one is totally hidden behind the bumper cover, with only the reciever sticking out, very clean install. Takes a bit longer because you have to take the bumper cover off but that isn't too bad, the directions included are pretty good.