Recommended Trailer Hitch For Carrying A Bike Rack On A 2014 Volvo XC60

Question:

Hello! I have a 2014 Volvo XC60 3.2 AWD, which is only rated to 1800kg/3968lbs. As such, I need a class 2 hitch, not class 3. When I try to find a hitch to buy using your site, I am only offered Class 3, and when I look at Class 2 it says none of them will fit. I will only be using it for a bike rack or cargo rack, not to tow an actual trailer. Can you help me find one that will fit? Thank you!

asked by: Ashley

Expert Reply:

I can definitely recommend a hitch for your 2014 Volvo XC60, but it will be a Class III hitch as there are no Class II hitches offered for your vehicle. This is due to the size and ability of your vehicle to tow as a Class II hitch would end up being severely underrated.

With that being said, a Class III hitch, like the Curt # 13268, will be great for carrying a bike rack or cargo carrier. This is rated up to 400 pounds of tongue weight, which will actually exceed that of your XC60, which is 350 pounds. This means you can have a bike rack or cargo carrier with a combined weight (rack and cargo) of 350 pounds and the hitch will be perfectly fine.

However, Class III hitches will have a 2" receiver opening and if your bike rack has a shank for a 1-1/4" receiver, like a Class II hitch, you may need another part to make it work. Most bike racks with this size shank, like the Thule EasyFold XT Bike Rack # TH903202 as an example, will also have an adapter to allow them to fit in both 1-1/4" and 2" hitches, but these do get lost over time and not all racks include them. If this is the case, you can use something like the Brophy Trailer Hitch Receiver Adapter # HT02. This will adapt the 2" opening to a 1-1/4" opening and will get you on your way

expert reply by: Lazer S