[JamesW]

Hi All,

Thought i'd share my maquette for my V90 factory towbar. I notice several schemes on here already as well as a swap for the 2" receiver. Unfortunately my dealer won't entertain the swap so i've elected to designed/engineered this interfacing bracket to be able to adapt the OEM towbar to my bike carrier - a saris two bike towbar type rack.

I plan to utilise 314 stainless hardware and the adapter is plate 1/4" also stainless 314 type. The black component is a typical receiver for caravans/RV i purchased. Missing from view are two bosses that match the diameter of the two openings on the OEM towbar the through bolts pass through these.

I will have the fabricator quote it. If anyone is interested i will share the plans / photos.

cheers, Jamie

 

[kartboy1234]

You glorious bastard, I was going to design something like that which has a collar around the ball to keep side motions controlled. I'd be interested to see how it goes.

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[Walkabout]

Wow, that is clever! Well done.

 

[CedarMtn]

That's really smart! Please post pics of fabricated piece once it's made.

I have the Stealth hitch which I really like, but one of the major cons is that the Stealth adapters (particularly the trailer adapter) take up a lot of space, which is in short supply in the V90CC. I like how the factory hitch just folds away with the ball, and now you've solved the problem of fitting a typical North American bike rack.

 

[kartboy1234]

You got me motivated to finally make my own version. I had wanted to make a version since I got the car.


3d modeled my own version after doing some quick measurements. 3d printing it now and will test fit tomorrow. I'll tweak it and if it works well enough I'll weld up a version and test it out. Hopefully by Sunday.

The 3d model version is crude with extra material so I can drill into it or mark where to remove.

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[kartboy1234]

Needs some tweaks.

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[BeachBoy]

Needs some tweaks. View attachment 182286 View attachment 182287 View attachment 182288

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I don't know if you need the complexity of the two wings that slide under the pins. I guess it's to prevent rocking of the bike rack since there is a lot of leverage but perhaps just extend the parallel pieces higher so they rest on the edge and also helps to quickly align the holes when installing?

I would also insert two cylinder plugs into the existing large holes so that the bolts are not loose. This would make the design simpler.

You could angle the front parallel pieces so the top leans toward the front and removes that sharp corner.


View attachment 182338

 

[kartboy1234]

I don't know if you need the complexity of the two wings that slide under the pins. I guess it's to prevent rocking of the bike rack since there is a lot of leverage but perhaps just extend the parallel pieces higher so they rest on the edge and also helps to quickly align the holes when installing?

I would also insert two cylinder plugs into the existing large holes so that the bolts are not loose. This would make the design simpler.

You could angle the front parallel pieces so the top leans toward the front and removes that sharp corner.


View attachment 182338

Yea I'm working on it. That design was with some beers. Looking at it today I'm cutting metal so it'll just clamp on and I was going to make disks that fit in the large holes. The 3d print was just to get an idea.

I figured use the pins to reduce rotation as the lower hole wall thickness isn't too thick. We will see, I'm just playing around with it. Did some FEA on it and it'll handle at least 500 lbs.

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[BeachBoy]

I like it.

I also have done some designs and 3D prototyping for other stuff (off road roof racks) so that's the type of stuff that gets me to spend way too much time tinkering

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[kartboy1234]

First prototype done. I don't have spacers in the large chain holes yet, so it keeps trying to rotate down. So I may add the notches that hold it onto the alignment pins. I realized I'm missing some tools but made do.

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[kartboy1234]

Sadly it scrapes, on my way into work.

So I'll redesign it to have the receiver above the ball.

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[BeachBoy]

Sadly it scrapes, on my way into work.

So I'll redesign it to have the receiver above the ball.

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Why not beside?

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[kartboy1234]

Why not beside?

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Could work, but I worry about my bike rack being offset

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[LarryM]

Sadly it scrapes, on my way into work.

So I'll redesign it to have the receiver above the ball.

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Is that Thule T2 rack a 1.25" going into a 2" hitch receiver?

 

[kartboy1234]

Is that Thule T2 rack a 1.25" going into a 2" hitch receiver?

Yea it has a 2" adaptor on the end. It just looks really weird. I got it free from work a while ago and the 2" version went to someone else.

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[CedarMtn]

Sadly it scrapes, on my way into work.

So I'll redesign it to have the receiver above the ball.

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Have you considered having the bike rack receiver above the ball (maybe even supported by it in some way)? That would solve the departure angle problem. And there would still be lots of room for the tailgate to open so long as your rack has a tilt down.

This is one of those times where I'm thinking that I wish I had thought of this - I would have gone for the OEM hitch if I had.

 

[kartboy1234]

Have you considered having the bike rack receiver above the ball (maybe even supported by it in some way)? That would solve the departure angle problem. And there would still be lots of room for the tailgate to open so long as your rack has a tilt down.

This is one of those times where I'm thinking that I wish I had thought of this - I would have gone for the OEM hitch if I had.

Haha yea my response says I'm redesigning it. I have an idea for it.

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[Phipper]

Above the ball good, behind the ball possibly better? I think this will become a closely watched thread. You guys are creating a little cottage industry. I’m prepared to place an order with the design winner with all enthusiasts collaborating. We’ll done Volvoists!

 

[valdesp03]

Above the ball good, behind the ball possibly better? I think this will become a closely watched thread. You guys are creating a little cottage industry. I’m prepared to place an order with the design winner with all enthusiasts collaborating. We’ll done Volvoists!

I share the same sentiment and will order as well.

 

[aqcon]

Sadly it scrapes, on my way into work.

So I'll redesign it to have the receiver above the ball.

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This is going to be the ticket. Good work!