How to install a tow bar on a Kalina sedan

A towbar is a towing product designed to connect a trailer to a vehicle. Installing a new towbar on Kalina NA has a number of features. The Kalina hatchback car has a trailer that is not capable of withstanding heavy loads. Therefore, installing a towbar for this vehicle is necessary if it is planned to be used for transporting goods. It will help to use a removable trailer and make the car more versatile.

Types of device for station wagon and hatchback

Installing a towbar on a Kalina hatchback is difficult because the design does not provide for the possibility of its use. The Kalina hatchback body does not have holes intended for mounting a tow bar, so only some models can be used.

There are three categories of towbars:

• removable - easy to install and remove, regardless of conditions;
• welded - has a higher strength index, but it cannot be removed after installation;
• flanged - characterized by simple installation; in this case, it is not necessary to violate the bumper design.

The choice of device for Kalina station wagon depends on the generation. Most towing and coupling products for the first generation are not suitable for second-generation cars. It is also not recommended to use a towing device designed for the Grant sedan. The station wagon has a wide trunk, so there is a need for a tow bar in some cases. It is recommended to use removable type devices for station wagons and sedan. The standard equipment of this type consists of:

• seven-pin socket;
• protective cap;
• electrical wiring;
• installation materials;
• technical data sheet of the product.

If one of the components is missing, the package is incomplete and the equipment may not work. Therefore, when buying a new product, you need to make sure that its elements are in place.

The advantages of the removable type are associated with:

• easy transportation;
• simple installation work;
• convenient storage conditions.

You can buy a removable tow bar at almost any auto store. But some models may have different prices. This feature is explained by the design differences of products for connecting trailers. Therefore, you should choose a device for a specific vehicle.

Some towbars used on second-generation station wagons are suitable for the hatchback. The most acceptable options are welded towing products. They are intended for unibody bodies available in the Tolyatti and other hatchback variants.

Step-by-step installation process on a station wagon

On the Kalina station wagon, it is possible to use a towing device on the Kalina. Therefore, it already has holes with screws for attaching the device. The standard size of the screws is M10. Installation requires two people. The first one should hold the tow bar, and the second one should attach it.

If the tow bar for Kalina has not been used before, you will need to use a screwdriver to look for threaded holes. There are a total of six bolts used to secure the device. After they are found, you need to act according to a clear system:

• holes for fastenings are cleaned;
• a towbar is brought to them (it must be placed so that it cannot harm the muffler);
• standard bolts are screwed in (you need to start from the first side hole);
• checking the correctness of fastening;
• the screws are tightened.

For installation, it is recommended to use a spanner type with a cardan mechanism. Additionally, it may be necessary to connect an outlet for the trailer electronics to operate. But you shouldn't do this yourself. DIY installation will take up to twenty minutes.

Installation

The complexity of this stage directly depends on how everything went with the issues of choosing a suitable towing device. Therefore, get ready for hard work, but it is possible that installation will take you a minimum of time and effort.

Installation is performed sequentially. There is no need to rush here, otherwise the consequences of your mistakes will force you to redo everything all over again. An incorrectly installed tow bar poses an increased risk during its operation. Especially in combination with a loaded trailer.

Therefore, installation is carried out approximately like this:

• You have made your choice. If you have a Kalina station wagon, then it has holes for fastenings already from the factory. You don't have to drill anything;
• Depending on the trailer hitch, it may be necessary to remove the bumper. This is not that difficult since you need to unscrew a few fasteners;
• Trimming is carried out only when using homemade towbars, or when purchasing low-quality factory products. I hope you were able to avoid this problem by choosing the design wisely;
• It is better to treat all fasteners with anti-corrosion compounds so as not to provoke the spread of rust;
• The metal structure is mounted according to the factory holes on the fastenings that came with the package. Refer to the installation diagram provided by the manufacturer;
• When the structure is secured, the electrical component can be installed. For the Kalina station wagon there is a 7-pin socket and a wiring harness. The socket is mounted using the bracket and fasteners included in the package;
• Take a diagram from the manufacturer, which clearly outlines the steps for connecting the electrical wires. I can’t give specific advice here, since the TSUs are different;
• The connection is made through standard connectors provided by the manufacturer. But extra insulation never hurts.

The main problem can be considered the incompatibility of the trailer hitch with the car. Although sellers may claim that any tow bar will fit on Kalina, this is not true.

Be careful when choosing. Try to buy a towbar that best suits the characteristics of the station wagon. This will allow you to effectively use the trailer, expanding the capacity of your car.

Thank you everyone and good luck on the roads! Subscribe, leave comments and ask relevant questions!

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The towing device is a specialized product that allows you to securely hold the trailer necessary for transporting various cargoes. Today no one will argue about the practicality of the domestic budget model Lada Kalina. To improve this quality, many owners install a tow bar. This device can be installed on the car yourself and you don’t have to resort to services.

In this material we will consider in detail the features of choosing a coupling device and the issues associated with its correct installation. How to install a towbar correctly, and also provide a drawing.

Mounting the device on a hatchback

Attaching a towbar to a hatchback is more difficult, since the body is not designed for its use.

Before you start attaching the parts, they need to be wiped free of dust and grease. After applying the markings, the fastening process begins:

• holes are drilled for fasteners (at least five special holes will be required);
• parts are treated with an anti-corrosion agent;
• using bolts and self-tapping screws, the socket with contacts is installed;
• the socket is connected according to the instructions;
• wires are being connected.

Sometimes work may be required to remove the bumper.

Installation of the device and connection of electrical equipment

Before we look in detail at all the nuances of installing a towbar on Kalina, it must be said that, unlike other domestic cars, for example, Niva, the Lada hatchback and station wagon are not provided with a “native” towbar. This means that you will have to deal with external devices. If you are not confident in your abilities or do not have the necessary experience and skills, then it is better to entrust the installation of the towbar to specialists in a car service center. If you are determined to carry out the procedure yourself, then the main rule is to strictly follow the instructions that are given in the technical data sheet of each product:

Towbar Lada Kalina 1118 sedan 2005- / Lada Kalina 1117 station wagon 2007-2013

1. Before you start installing the towbar (Kalina hatchback and station wagon, by the way, have standard places for its installation), you need to decide for what purpose you will use it and how often, i.e. decide on the type of trailer hitch.
2. The next step is to drill (if necessary) holes for installing fasteners. In some cases, you will have to remove the bumper from Kalina station wagon and hatchback. Another problem is that installation of the product may require cutting the bumper (this is in the case of homemade or low-quality factory production). To carry out this operation you will need a diagram and template.
3. When the holes are ready, it is necessary to treat the fasteners with an anti-corrosion compound and install them according to the instructions in the technical data sheet.
4. Now you can start installing electrical equipment, which in the case of the Lada Kalina hatchback and station wagon is represented by a socket with seven contacts and wires. Installation of the socket involves the use of a bracket on which the product will be fixed. Bolts and screws are required for installation.
5. The next step is connecting the outlet. The operation is carried out through wires in the rear wiring harness of the car. The wires are multi-colored, each of them is designed to connect to a specific lamp. Detailed information can be found in the technical data sheet of the machine.
6. The wires are connected through standard connectors that were provided by the manufacturer. Sometimes it is necessary to insulate each element of the wiring (if the insulation is broken). During installation, additional elements may be required to avoid soldering and twisting.

Tow bar kit for VAZ 1119 Lada Kalina hatchback 2004-…

It is important to know! You should not believe auto parts manufacturers who claim that there is a standard part suitable for any Kalina hatchback, sedan or station wagon. You can try your luck, but most likely the car connectors will be incompatible with the product. It all depends on the body type. Therefore, it is better to order a manufactured trailer hitch for the specific brand of your car.

DIY tow bar

To create a homemade towbar you will need:

• metal corners;
• metal pipe;
• working welding machine.

The part in which the corners and the pipe will be connected is indicated. After this, one corner is attached by welding to the rear channel, and the other to the trailer. The operating period of a homemade device is from 5 to 10 years, depending on the strength of the material used. But this option is suitable for those who know how to install a tow bar on Kalina with their own hands.

Purchase and installation of towbars on a hatchback

Here is a drawing of a coupling device designed for hatchbacks:

These towbars fit all berry hatchbacks

Here the fastening differs from that discussed above. For example, nothing is screwed to the side members. The towbar is attached to the rear channel, and three screws go through the holes in the niche. It, that is, the niche, is intended for a spare wheel, and the holes in it are closed with plugs.

The holes on triangle 2 will be closed with rubber plugs

There are a large number of towbars on the market, the installation of which requires that the “spare wheel” niche has to be drilled out. As a rule, three holes will have to be made in the niche, and two more on the underside of the channel. It may be better to buy a device that fits the standard body holes. We will let the owner make the choice.

So, we will be guided by the manufacturer's instructions. Installation is easier to perform by driving the car into a pit:

1. The rubber plugs from the holes in the niche must be removed;
2. The towbar is positioned along the central axis, aligning the holes in the “ears” with the holes on the rear channel;
3. Then, the device is fixed with M10 bolts, not forgetting to install the washers. The bolts are screwed into the threads of the rear channel;
4. Having installed the missing fasteners (M12 screws are screwed into the nuts), you need to tighten all the fasteners with a wrench. The force should be 30-50 N*m.

Electrical connection

The towbar socket is secured using a special bracket. The bracket itself is secured using self-tapping screws and bolts. Lada Kalina wiring includes a standard kit. This kit includes harnesses to connect the outlet. The wires have different colors. Thanks to this, the lights are connected without errors. The equipment is sold together with an electrical diagram indicating how to connect the wires.

For both versions of the Lada Kalina there are the same number of contacts and wires. There is a standard place and connectors for the wires. If the insulation of the wires has been damaged, you must insulate them yourself.

The holes for the wires have plugs. Modern cars are equipped with sensors that monitor the operating condition of the tow bar. You can buy sensors separately if the standard machine design does not have them.

Tips for using a towbar

If you do not take into account the rules for using a towbar, it can quickly fail. The device has a limited service life and capabilities, which can be increased by following a number of actions:

• it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the technical characteristics of the tow bar in advance so as not to overload it when using towed products;
• the weight of objects in the trailer should be evenly distributed - if this is not done, the controllability of the machine will be impaired (insufficient weight can cause similar problems);
• It is recommended to use safety chains - they will prevent damage to the tow bar and other vehicle components in the event of an unexpected situation with the trailer;
• it is necessary to periodically lubricate the towbar - in order for the lubricant to remain for a long period, you need to use caps and plugs (the features of these components are aimed at improving the performance of the equipment);
• It is recommended to periodically check the diameter of the towbar ball - if due to wear it has become less than 49 millimeters, the ball requires replacement (only original parts can be used);
• Every thousand kilometers you need to check how well the fasteners are tightened.

Low quality towing products should not be used. The lower the quality of the device, the higher the likelihood of an unforeseen situation. Therefore, saving on the purchase of a tow bar is not recommended.