How to install a tow bar on a Lada Kalina

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.

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.

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.

Features of the socket connection

To connect the towbar to the vehicle's electrical wiring, we recommend using stranded copper wire. The ideal option is a wire in which each core has a cross-section of at least 1.5 square meters. mm. The wire must have a double layer of insulation.

Features of connecting the trailer hitch, connection diagrams for the 7-pin device, color designations, plug connection diagram, towbar socket connection diagram.

To understand whether you have sufficient information about the trailer hitch.

How many types of sockets are there?

a) Three types of sockets are available for passenger cars. Thirteen-pin, used in Russia. American or European 7 pin. And there is a special connector.

b) There are two types of sockets on sale. Russian for 13 pins and American for 7 pins.

What does contact mean, oh?

a) wire going to the left turn signal.

b) Right turn signal wire.

c) A wire that turns on the right and left turn signals.

Why do they put caps on sockets?

a) The cover is needed to prevent unnecessary wires from being connected to the device.

b) It serves as a protection that protects the outlet from external influences. The cover is needed when the tow bar is not connected to the trailer.

What contacts can be spliced to simplify the assembly process?

a) You can splice the contacts of two headlights, reverse lights, brake lights, fog lights and side lights. They all turn on synchronously.

b) Any contacts are allowed to be connected. This will make the work easier.

What does contact mean, oh?

a) Connection to the rear fog lamp.

b) Connection to the vehicle's brake lights.

Answers:

a) There are three types of sockets - Russian with 13 pins, American or European with 7 pins, as well as a special connector.
A) The letter “L” indicates the wire connected to the left turn signal.
B) The cover on the socket serves as protection against various influences. It is closed when the tow bar is not connected to the trailer.
A) To simplify the work, the following contacts are spliced: two headlights, reverse, brake lights, fog lights and side lights. The connectivity is due to the fact that they all turn on synchronously.
A) The designation “54G” is a connection to the car’s fog lights.

To transport bulky cargo, a reliable trailer is attached to the vehicle. The connection occurs through the trailer hitch and tight contact with its socket. It is necessary to connect the contacts correctly so that the rear lights on the trailer turn on when driving, signaling to road users that the driver is performing various actions, for example, turning. To connect the signals correctly, you will need to study the trailer connection diagram, as well as the pinout of the towbar socket.

Definition: A trailer socket pinout is a diagram of the connectors needed to connect a vehicle to a trailer with your own hands. An electrical connection is required so that all lighting equipment on the trailer works, in accordance with traffic regulations.

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.

A few words about lighting technology

Trailed towable devices, i.e. car trailers, require brake lights. The same applies to side lights and turn signals. In addition, if the trailer weighs more than 750 kg, it is equipped with a reversing light.

There is no separate terminal block that allows you to connect all the “electrics” of the trailer in Grant/Kalina-2. Of course, the towbar will be equipped with a socket, such as shown below. But connecting this outlet by running the cables inside the body will not be so easy.

Standard towbar socket, 7 pins

An experienced installer, when making connections, will be able to implement the diagram shown here:

It is advisable to connect trailer lamps via a relay

The wires can be passed through one of the holes provided in the floor of the body. These holes themselves are protected by plugs.

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Trunk floor diagram, station wagon/hatchback

There is nothing more to add here. We wish you success.

Anyone who connects the tow bar without the participation of a car dealer may lose the warranty on the electrical system. Any intervention in the electrical circuit will void the warranty if it is carried out without the consent of the dealer. Make a choice.

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.

Answers to 3 frequently asked questions about connecting a towbar socket

These changes consist of connecting the same wires leading to the rear light and signal electrics of the car's trailer with the wires from the coupling device.

The most difficult point is the need to determine where the conductors are connected. The outlet itself is connected in two ways: Standard. Before starting the procedure, check whether there are the required number of wires of sufficient, but not excessive cross-section.

If the light and signal lamps of your car operate without the participation of a special microprocessor, a suitable option is to connect a seven-channel towbar connector with 7 contacts. The second contact group, which provides constant 12-volt power, is often not used.

American manufacturers also use a four-pin pinout for a passenger car trailer socket; European and American-made cars that are operated by domestic cars have a contact connection system. On domestically produced trailers, as a rule, a 7-pin connector is used, so along with the towbar it is reasonable to purchase a corresponding socket with seven contacts. Switching on using a matching unit When connecting a trailer hitch, a modern electronic control unit requires the presence of an adapter, that is, a matching unit between the electronic elements of the car, the towbar and the towed part of the vehicle.