We put the towbar and connect the trailer electrics

The second name of the towbar is a towing device (TSU). A very useful thing that allows you to use a trailer for transporting goods if necessary. If you decide to choose a towbar, at a point of sale or online store you will be offered a device that is suitable for your brand, model of car. You can also contact the service center, where they will sell, and if required, they will install the structure. In terms of savings, you can do it yourself.

Features of choice

By design, the coupling device is a hook, to which a pipe with a cross beam is welded on one side, and on the other there is a ball for connecting with a trailer. There are several design options:

• ✅ removable: quickly installed and dismantled
  
• ✅ non-separable - they cannot be removed, they are welded from pipes, brackets or connected with bolts, nuts
  

The latter option is considered more reliable. However, in the event of an accident involving the rear of the car, the one-piece towbar acts on the side member to which it is attached. In such a situation, it is possible that the geometry of the body will be violated. If the hitch is removable, only it will suffer. But if you are moving without a trailer, the device will have to be dismantled to avoid problems with the traffic police.



The second important point that you need to pay attention to when buying is the compliance of the product with the brand, model of your car. Most of them allow the installation of a towbar, for which special holes or marks are provided where they need to be drilled. There are also universal designs, but their installation can be difficult. And one more thing: the quality of the coupling device depends a lot on the manufacturer. Below is a rating of towbars that are sold out most often.

Leader Plus

The device is specially designed for cars of the Lada brand: Niva, Kalina, Granta, as well as Datsun with any type of body. TSU is a steel pipe with a ball with a diameter of 50 mm, protected from corrosion. The device is attached to the side member through the holes provided in advance at the factory. The tow bar is designed for a pulling force of 750 kg. With it, you can transport various cargoes, an ATV and much more in a trailer. Of the negative aspects of the model, only the absence of electricians is noted: sockets, plugs, wires.



The package comes with a complete set of fasteners. You don't need to remove the bumper to mount the hitch.

Sheriff

The manufacturer offers TSU for a variety of makes and models of cars. These are Toyota Land Cruiser 200, Haval H6 and H8, Geely Atlas, Zotye T600, Volvo XC60 and many others, as well as Russian-made cars - Lada Urban (2009-2019) and Niva (2016-2020).



In the design, the role of the rod is played by a profile pipe, the tow hitch is installed on the machine through standard factory holes. It is not necessary to make a special cutout in the bumper. The towbar allows you to transport a trailer with a gross weight of up to 900 kg. All elements of the TSU are coated with an anti-corrosion compound. The manufacturer guarantees the product for one year.

Bison

The towbar model features a quick-release ball and a high traction force of 1,5 tons. This makes it possible to transport trailers with a large load capacity, including "motorhomes". The manufacturer treated the product with particular care: the design is made of high-quality steel, sandblasted. At the second stage, the product is primed and coated with a polymer composition that prevents corrosion.



It is not necessary to dismantle the bumper during installation. The manufacturer makes towbars for UAZ Patriot (produced since 2015), Subaru Forester, Renault Duster (2021), Nissan Terrano (2014), Great Wall Hover, Hyundai Creta (since 2016) and many others.

Bosal (Oris)

Most towbar models are designed for use with Niva 2121, 2131, 2129 vehicles. The device can be used with trailers, the gross weight with a load, which is not more than 800 kg. The load on the ball is 75 kg, which allows you to drive with a trailer over rough terrain.



The construction uses thick-walled steel. All fasteners correspond to regular holes in the car body. The device is covered with a protective powder paint that prevents metal corrosion.

Installing the tow bar

Before starting work, the car must be driven into a viewing hole. Remove everything from the trunk, remove the upholstery. Installation is best done with an assistant. He will hold the towbar, and you will fix it in place. If the hitch is not from your car or universal, mark the drilling locations with a marker. When the holes are ready, treat them with an anti-corrosion compound, otherwise rust will go.



When fastening the towbar, use all the nuts and washers supplied in the kit (including spring washers). Where to put them is usually indicated in the instructions for the product. When the TSU is in place, proceed to the next step - arranging the electrics.

Connecting trailer lights

Initially, there may be nuances related to electronics. If you have one of the latest foreign cars, the ECU may go on strike, detecting additional energy consumers. Therefore, in such cases, you should immediately contact specialized technical centers. In addition, if the car is under warranty, an unauthorized change in the electrical circuit automatically eliminates the manufacturer's obligations.

Another thing - cars are simpler. Here the connection goes parallel to the dimensions, stops, turn signals. In this case, there is a generally accepted pinout of electrical connections on the socket and plug. In Europe, including Russia, a seven-contact system has been adopted. The figure below shows how to connect the wires.



When laying the wiring, you will have to drill a separate hole in the trunk floor (if it is not provided by the manufacturer). It is recommended to insert a rubber ring into it to prevent corrosion. It is recommended to solder the trailer wires to the regular wires, which is more reliable than any twists, and then carefully insulate to prevent a short to ground - the car body.

Legal nuances associated with the installation of a towbar

Previously, there were no problems: it was possible to install a home-made STU: welded, hooked and drove off. Today the situation is different. No action is required on your part only if the towbar is already installed at the factory or it is allowed to be installed by him. In the latter case, this will be indicated in the instructions. But there is a nuance: for a TSU installed independently, you need to have a certificate of conformity, which, in which case, you can present to the traffic police inspector. However, you are not required to carry a document with you, and if disagreements arise with a representative of the authorities, and the papers are yours at home, you can safely challenge the protocol.



And what if there are no documents for the towbar? If the manufacturer is known, contact him. When this is not possible, the TSU will have to be dismantled and another, “legitimate” one installed. The second option is more "tedious" - to design the towbar as "a change in the design of the vehicle." This is much more difficult, longer and sometimes more expensive than buying and installing a new drawbar.