The weight limit for a Volvo roof rack is not as straightforward as it may seem. It’s important to note that the combined weight of the rack, all accessories, and any load must be within the limit.
Depending on the model of the vehicle, the weight limits on the roof can vary from 165 lbs to 220 lbs.
Something that is considered dangerous if you load on the roof rack from the roof. Please read on to find out the details.
The Weight a Volvo Roof Rack Can Hold
According to the Volvo owners manual, the roof rack weight limits are:
XC40
- 2019-2022: 165 lbs (75 kg)
XC40 is a compact luxury SUV manufactured by Volvo began in November 2017. It’s available in many countries around the world, such as North America, Europe, and China.
The roof rack weight limit for XC40 is 165 lbs (75 kg), including the weight of the rack and accessories.
XC60
- 2009- 2021: 220 lbs (100 kg)
XC60 is a mid-size luxury SUV manufactured by Volvo. It’s also known as the “baby XC90”. It’s a popular vehicle, and it’s available for sale in many countries around the world.
The roof rack weight limit for XC60 is 220 lbs (100 kg), including the weight of the rack and accessories.
XC70
- 2003-2016: 220 lbs (100 kg)
XC70 is a mid-size luxury SUV manufactured by Volvo. It is not currently being produced.
The roof rack weight limit for XC70 was 220 lbs (100 kg), including the weight of the rack and accessories.
XC90
- 2002-2021: 220 lbs (100 kg)
XC90 is a mid-size luxury SUV manufactured by Volvo. The vehicle was made in Sweden and was introduced to the North American market in 2002.
The XC90’s roof rack weight limit is 220 lbs (100 kg), including the weight of the rack and accessories.
V60
- 2015-2021: 165 lbs (75 kg)
V60 is a compact luxury wagon manufactured by Volvo. It was introduced in the North American market in 2015.
The roof rack weight limit for V60 is 165 lbs (75 kg), including the weight of the rack and accessories.
V70
- 1998-2016: 220 lbs(100 kg)
V70 is a mid-size luxury wagon manufactured by Volvo. It was introduced in the North American market in 1998.
The roof rack weight limit for V70 was 220 lbs (100 kg), including the weight of the rack and accessories.
V90
- 2018-2021: 220 lbs (100 kg)
V90 is a mid-size luxury wagon manufactured by Volvo. It’s the wagon version of the XC90.
The roof rack weight limit for V90 is 220 lbs (100 kg), including the weight of the rack and accessories.
V90 Cross Country
- 2017-2021: 220 lbs (100 kg)
V90 Cross Country is a mid-size luxury crossover manufactured by Volvo. It’s available in North America, Europe, and Asia.
The roof rack weight limit for V90 Cross Country is 220 lbs (100 kg), including the weight of the rack and accessories.
S60
- 2014-2021: 165 lbs (75 kg)
- 2001-2013 : 220 lbs(100 kg)
S60 is a compact luxury sedan manufactured by Volvo. It was introduced in the North American market in 2014, and it’s only sold in North America.
The roof rack weight limit for older model years (2001-2013) is 220 lbs (100 kg), newer model years (2014-2021) is only 165 lbs (75 kg), including the weight of the rack and accessories.
S70
- 1998-2000: 220 lbs(100 kg)
S70 is a compact luxury sedan manufactured by Volvo.
The roof rack weight limit for S70 was 220 lbs (100 kg), including the weight of the rack and accessories.
S80
- 2015-2021: 165 lbs (75 kg)
- 1999-2014: 220 lbs(100 kg)
S80 is a mid-size luxury sedan manufactured by Volvo.
The roof rack weight limit for older model years (1999-2014) is 220 lbs (100 kg), newer model years (2015-2021) is only 165 lbs (75 kg), including the weight of the rack and accessories.
S90
- 2017-2022: 220 lbs(100 kg)
S90 is a mid-size luxury sedan manufactured by Volvo. It’s the successor to the Volvo S80.
The roof rack weight limit for S90 is 220 lbs (100 kg), including the weight of the rack and accessories.
Things to consider before putting a load on a Volvo
1. You need to consider the balance.
Make sure the load is evenly distributed to both sides of the vehicle. You don’t want one side heavier than the other. Or else, the stability might be impacted negatively, and the vehicle might become harder to control.
2. Consider the weight.
Every vehicle has its weight limit for its roof rack, so please make sure you follow the weight limit guidelines. Check your Volvo roof rack weight limit first before loading a heavy load.
Putting extra weight will stress the car more than usual, but you might also need to consider what kind of road conditions are ahead? Is it a long drive with rough roads up ahead?
You don’t want to put too much weight on your roof rack that will result in damaging the car. Make sure you are not overloading it.
3. Consider the height and center of gravity.
The height of the cargo will affect the car’s center of gravity.
If the center of gravity is too high, it will result in an unstable vehicle.
To lower the center of gravity, place your heavy items as close to the vehicle’s roof as possible.
Before loading tall items on the roof, make sure the total height won’t exceed the maximum allowed road height, so you will not hit low overhead structures such as tunnels, bridges, and overpasses.
4. Everything must be secure!
Hitch racks, ladder racks, cargo box, ski rack… every sort of roof rack accessory must be securely attached to its bars or clips.
Make sure you secure your load properly because it can fall off while driving. The last thing you want is damaged property or severe injury!
5. Consider the ease of accessibility.
If you need to access items frequently, you should not pack them on your roof.
It’s inconvenient to climb up the roof every time you need to get something, and it’s dangerous too.
The items that are needed frequently should be placed inside your trunk.
Items that are not needed often can be placed on the roof rack if possible. If you pack them on the top of your vehicle, here’s where you can use a cargo box or swing away racks to make access easier. Cargo boxes are very helpful because they act as an extra space for storage.
However, keep in mind that cargo boxes also add more weight to your Volvo roof rack weight limit, so pay attention to balance again!
6. Consider the legal requirements.
Please be aware of your local regulations before putting any items on your roof rack!
For example, there may be restrictions on how wide, high, or long your cargo on the roof are.
There may also be regulations on the total amount of weight your car can carry, including the additional weight on the roof.
Lastly, some roads and tunnels might have height limits too!
Please check and follow all legal requirements!
What to Avoid on the Volvo Roof Rack
For safety purposes, there are some things you should not put on the roof rack of your Volvo.
1. Avoid all the liquids from the roof rack.
If you are planning to put liquids on the roof, please pack them inside your car.
Avoid placing liquids on top of your vehicle because they can spill and become a safety hazard.
If you pack liquids on the roof, the liquids and the weight will shift when driving, which may cause your car to lose balance and result in an accident.
If the liquid container is damaged, leaking, or spilling liquid while driving, it can be very dangerous.
2. Avoid all the sharp objects from the roof rack.
Sharp objects can cause severe damage to cars and property around you if they fly off your car. Also, it may be illegal to carry certain things on top of your vehicle, so please do not put sharp objects on your roof rack.
The sharp items must be safely packed inside the car because if they fall and hit another vehicle or a person, you will be held responsible for all these damages and injuries!
3. Avoid the things that make sounds from the roof rack.
The noise can be an inconvenience or a safety hazard for people around you.
If the sound is very loud and noisy, it may also be illegal, so please do not put items that make sounds on your roof rack.
As much as possible, try to pack these noisy things inside your car instead of placing them on top of your vehicle. If you have to put them on your roof, use a cargo box or other things that can help muffle the sounds of the objects while driving.
4. Avoid too heavy items on one side.
Please distribute the weight evenly on both sides of your roof rack.
If you load too many heavy items on one side, it can impact the stability and handling of your car when driving.
Please lower your center of gravity by putting the heavier things at the bottom of the load.
5. Avoid loose items.
Always secure your items securely on the roof rack. Secure the load firmly using ropes or straps.
If the load is not secured properly, even small items can fly up and cause accidents when driving, so please secure all loose items before you start to drive.
Check periodically to ensure that everything is properly attached to your roof rack.
6. Avoid driving fast and making sharp turns.
Always maintain a safe speed when driving. Do not make sudden or unexpected turns or stops.
Do not take sharp turns at high speeds. Your cargo can shift, items can fall off, causing accidents and property damage! Ensure there is enough distance between you and other vehicles around you before making any stops, starts, or turns!
Please drive slowly and pay attention to the stability of the extra load on top of your vehicle!
Avoid rapid acceleration, hard braking, and fast cornering.
7. Avoid packing without a roof rack.
Your Volvo car roof is not designed to carry cargo without a roof rack.
Avoid loading anything on top of your car’s roof without a roof rack because it can damage the paint or even the roof of your vehicle.
What not to pack on a Volvo roof
You should never put those things on top of your car:
- Liquids.
- Loose items. Items that can’t be tied securely with ropes or heavy-duty cords.
- Objects that are over wide, high, or long for the roof rack.
- Items that are not allowed on the roof of a VW vehicle by your local laws.
- Sharp, jagged edges or items with sharp points.
- And, of course, items exceed load capacity.
How do you pack your items on the roof rack?
1) The heavier things should be placed as low as possible.
2) Please evenly distribute the weight.
3) Please secure all items that can fall off when driving.
4) Please keep items within the boundaries of your roof rack.
5) Avoid driving fast and abruptly with a heavy load on top of your car.
6) Check periodically to ensure that everything is properly attached to your roof rack.
7) Please follow your local legal restrictions specific to your area.
8) Have fun! Please have a safe trip!