[VolvoUhu]

My current XC90 doesn't have a hitch but on the 2016 version with the hitch that pops out and hides, it could only hold a maximum of 2 bikes (by design). I'm not sure if there are better hitch options available now.

I also had bike racks that go on the roof, but depending on how tall you are and how much your bikes weigh, it may be a bit tricky to get bikes up there.

That was the first version of the foldable tow bar. The second version (been out a couple of years already) is rated for 4 bikes hitch mounted carriers so it’s no longer the concern it used to be.

As for hitch mounted bike carriers we use the Thule T2 Pro with extension and carry up to 4 bikes. We used it on our XC90 T8 to carry 4 bikes when we had the fixed tow bar. We also have roof mounted carriers (4) and now mostly use that to carry our bikes. In our case it’s been especially great to have both the hitch mounted and roof mounted options so that we can carry bikes on road trips with our R-Pod in tow as well, usually to MTB or CycloCross races.

We have to fork mounts with 2 wheel carriers and 2 downtube style which works great.

And we now mostly keep the Thule T2 Pro on our 2010 XC90.

 

[VolvoUhu]

Ah, that's good to hear! Do you know if the tongue weight is still 500lb max?

Yes, tongue weight and tow capacity are the same at 500/5000lbs. If there was a change (rather than recert) it was most likely to the hinge locking mechanism to handle the added torque of having 4 bikes hanging that far from the fulcrum.

Here’s the spec for it. You’ll notice in the ”notes/footnotes” that its capacity is now 200lbs/4 bikes. The initial version was 130lbs/2 bikes.

Foldable towbar hitch - XC90 2017 - Volvo Cars Accessories

XC90 2017 Pack & Load A hitch especially introduced for the North American market. With the electrically folding towbar, you do not have to stretch beneath the car to detach or remove the towbar. Pressing a button in the luggage compartment folds the towbar out. A simple hand movement positions...

accessories.volvocars.com