Thanks for the pics. I'm getting my hitch installed in the next few days. I wish Volvo could have come up with a more elegant solution than cutting the bumper and that funky, tumor like, cover. I was considering wrapping the cover with brushed aluminium vinyl.

 

The problem is, once you accept this installation, if they figure out the elegant way, you probably will need replace a new bumper, although I think the elegant way won't come up anyway.

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Is the one in the picture the retractable semi-electrical towbar or a fixed one? I understand that there are several available to be mounted as an accessory.

 

Fixed

 

Thanks for the photo. I'm personally not a big fun of that look. My current XC60's trailer hitch looks much better although its bumper also got a cut.

Really hope the "the elegant way" will come up soon. While people criticize the compromised range of the other EV when towing, the new xc90 has comprised look if you acquire the towing capability, at least in US...

 

I'm having a hard time understanding the "regulations". The products are virtually identical in the way they attach to the vehicle. Both replace the existing bumper rebar. In addition, the EU towbar is rated to 6,000lbs (2,700kg) vs the US's 5,000lbs. Ugh, I wonder if I can just order the EU part and call it a day. For anyone that's interested the EU part # is 31454696. The trailer module is exactly the same. I guess the big problem would be the wiring, as the EU hitch has the trailer plug integrated into the rotating assembly. Here are some pics for reference

US bar

EU bar

 

US requires two eyelets for safety chains. These eyelets are not on the EU retractable hitch, thus it is not offered in the US. Most US customers prefer the square receiver as that offers flexibility in the accessories that utilize a square receiver, such as bike racks, cooler/luggage platforms, etc.

 

Unfortunately it does make the first Gen XC90 bumper cutout on mine look neat....:facepalm:



Mike

 

I live in Atlanta and am interested in the invisihitch solution. I can work with the invisihitch folks once my xc90 arrives in December. Hope that another Atlanta xc90 owner will volunteer prior to December.

 

December is not too far away. I agree that it would be great if someone volunteered sooner but it's good to know there's at least one Atlanta owner to be ready to work with them. I just can't bring myself to let Volvo cut up my bumper like that.

 

I live in Atlanta and I'm expecting to take delivery this week. How do you contact them?

 

I recall the Mod GrecianVolvo stating a while back that on the XC90's with the Urban Style Kit there is a different rear bumper design with a opening in place for the hitch to be installed cleanly. Not sure about the Rugged Style Kit.

 

Here's the rear bumper from the urban style kit

You still have to cut it to fit a US market hitch

 

How can there be so many XC90s sold, and so few photos of XC90s with hitches????

 

Here are some picts of the OEM hitch in use. The driver said the XC90 drove as if the trailer wasn't back there.

 

Here are some picts of the OEM hitch in use. The driver said the XC90 drove as if the trailer wasn't back there.

Good to know. I've been nervously thinking about towing my race car. But my trailer isn't a featherlite.

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what about the trailor hitch that's offered in the accessories video where the woman pushes a button and the hitch pops out from under the bumper?

 

The video showing to button release of the tow hitch, is the European version.
I have it fitted to mine, it is pretty slick, pops down from under rear bumper at push of button.
Then locks in position.
Another push of button it drops down and can be pushed back under bumper where it locks.
Totally invisible when not in use.

 

How does the cover attach to the receiver? Does it just snap into place?


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How does the cover attach to the receiver? Does it just snap into place?

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Yes - it just slides into the receiver (THEN FALLS OUT) :angryfire: according to owners... Couple that with the grotesque bumper cut and it's a non-starter for me.
Will wait for the invisi or execu hitch or other option which will certainly come soon.

 

cover

Ours is due for a December delivery. I think I will look into having that black plastic cover painted to match the silver on the bumper.

 

Just got my hitch installed. The cover is not as bad as I thought it would be. One thing that caught my eye is the installer forgot to screw the cover into the piece that inserts into the receiver. That could explain all the lost covers.

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Just got my hitch installed. The cover is not as bad as I thought it would be. One thing that caught my eye is the installer forgot to screw the cover into the piece that inserts into the receiver. That could explain all the lost covers.

We have ordered ours with the tow package. The dealer sent me a fact sheet on it, and it had a picture of the rear cover part being riveted to the insert part. Maybe they forgot to put in the rivet.

 

Nice. I'm getting mine installed this week.


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any one from Europe and ordered semi - electric hitch?
i love to see it in real

 

 

One thing that is a bit annoying is that there is little to no space to fit a lock on the hitch pin. There just isn't enough space.

On the other hand, the tow guideline is great!

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that tow guideline is AWESOME

I was not expecting that, so that is really a great feature, IMO

 

Just as a reference some images of the European retractable tow bar.

It's semi-electrical, only the last part of the fixation has to be done by hand. There is some cut in the bumper, but that is complete on the underside. When the tow bar is folded away, it's fully invisible.

 

Just as a reference some images of the European retractable tow bar.

Show off just trying to stoke the fire. ha ha ha Kidding looks great!

 

Maybe dealer should be able to cut the left side to make it symmetric? Then it definitely looks better.

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There isn't any more room to cut to the left, because the parking sensor wiring is tucked there, but perhaps it could be moved. First picture, there is a small plastic divider inside, and the cables are right behind it.

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The parking sensor is more than a foot to the left but wiring is so close to the hitch? Perhaps need to find instruction on how to take off the bumper to double check.

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The cut area is in the lower trim, silver plastic, part of the bumper. Why doesn't Volvo just design a replacement trim piece, with a removable center area that is nicely designed to incorporate the hitch. I'm not 100% sure if it is removable on the inscription or momentum models. But per the instructions, it is a removable piece on the r design.

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The cut area is in the lower trim, silver plastic, part of the bumper. Why doesn't Volvo just design a replacement trim piece, with a removable center area that is nicely designed to incorporate the hitch. I'm not 100% sure if it is removable on the inscription or momentum models. But per the instructions, it is a removable piece on the r design.

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agreed, that's what I for asked via my dealer. As the trim piece is replaced for my urban styling kit, it's obviously something that can be replaced pretty easily with a purpose-built part for vehicles with a hitch.

As far as the area to the left, i had to have the dealer cut out more on the left after delivery, and there was no technical issue of delicate items in that area - but it does make it look worse overall with the cover off, i'll try to take some pics of it. But for me, it already looked terrible so I thought I might as well make it completely functional!

 

I tried to snap a photo of inside the bumper left of the hitch. The bottom of the photo is where that white divider tab starts in my previous picture.

I just picked up my cover from the dealer, and this is what you get. Hitch cover, hitch cover adapter insert, and a pin. The hitch cover adapter fits into the hitch and the bottom tab snaps into hole at the bottom of hitch. After that, the insert and hitch cover have ridges on the side that snap, kind of like a zip-tie, except it isn't permanent one way as you can pull it back out. Not easily to pull it back out though, but need to wiggle and pull firmly. Haven't put any miles on it yet so not sure if it will stay as it was noted that some are falling out. But to remove it, you use the tab of the insert to remove from hitch, not removing the cover from the insert, so the hitch cover isn't wearing out the ridges of the insert. I have no idea what that pin is for or where it goes if anyone can help with that.

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I have no idea what that pin is for or where it goes if anyone can help with that.

Use a 5mm drill bit to make a hole and instal the pop rivet.

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I have ordered the trailer hitch option on my OSD Inscription for April delivery It has the Rugged style kit. After following this thread I am very concerned about the look of the hitch set up. Does anyone have pictures of the installation made at the factory? Is that installation just as BAD looking as the ones shown here that were made at the Port or at the dealers?

 

That would be interesting to see... But overall since it needs to be cut probably even at the factory (not premolded bumper with cut assuming), then it solely depends on the person doing the "cutting". Some seem to have better smoother cuts than others. One could smooth it out with a Dremel at home, but it should not come down to that.

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