Hitch Mount Locking Bike Rack for 2016 Volvo XC90 with Hard to Access Hitch Pin Holes

Updated 05/12/2016 | Published 05/10/2016

Question:

I have a Thule T2 bike carrier, and I love it. I just bought a 2016 XC90 and had Volvo put a hitch on it. Now, my problem is that the Thule SnugTite bolt does not fit into the hitch with the locking mechanism, as there is no clearance on the left to insert the lock. We cannot cut any more bumper off, as the sensor for the door raise is under there, and the bolt cannot be inserted from the left, as the bolt head does not fit in through that side. I could put the bolt only onto the right side, but then the rack is not secured. Is there a bike rack wheel based like T2 that can be mounted - and secured with a lock - into Volvos new, impractical hitch? I am driving roughly 6,000 miles this summer with a nice bike on the back, and want to know it is as secure as possible not only during driving, but during rest stops.

asked by: Darcy Y

Expert Reply:

I have the perfect bike rack for you; the new Thule T2 Pro, # TH83JV. It has a different design and doesn't use a traditional hitch pin. It uses a wedge built into the shank that holds the rack in the hitch and also acts as an anti-rattle device.

The wedge is controlled with a knob at the end of the shank and can be locked so no one can take the rack out of the hitch. It does have a failsafe type of pin that is attached to the shank but only fits into the right pin hole on the hitch. All of these features and others can be seen in the video I have linked for you.

expert reply by: Michael H