Installing and connecting a towbar on a Lada Vesta: which one to choose, installation and connection features

• Functions and types of towbars
• Towbar options for Lada Vesta
• Towbar installation
• Wiring diagram for tow bar on Lada Vesta
• Is it possible to connect an electrician without a matching unit?

As a rule, every motorist is faced with the need to transport cargo that cannot be put in the trunk - a bicycle, a motor boat, building materials, and finally potatoes from the garden.
Therefore, the problem of choosing, purchasing and installing a tow bar for attaching a trailer for moving cargo is familiar to many. There is a huge selection of trailer hitches for Vesta brand vehicles on sale. The body model (sedan, station wagon, SV Cross) is not of fundamental importance.

You can figure it out yourself, or you can resort to the help of employees of specialized stores (leave a request and we will call you back) or centers for installing towbars. They will help you find the right option, meeting all the requirements of your car manufacturer.

Installing a towbar on Vesta is not tuning the car. Therefore, if you have a certificate and passport, registration of the device with the traffic police is not required.

Functions and types of towbars

The functional purpose of various trailer hitches is one - towing a trailer, and the design features offer the following options:

• Conditionally removable design. The most favorable in terms of cost and functionality. Disadvantages – it will raise questions among traffic police officers, spoils the modern appearance of the car;
• Removable device - high degree of reliability and excellent functionality. Easily dismantled;
• American type trailer hitch made of 4 components. Low popularity due to its complex design and many installation nuances.

Is it possible to avoid a fine for a towbar?

Firstly, it is worth conducting a dialogue about the fact that Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation provides for an alternative to warning. That is, first of all, it is necessary to say that everything will be corrected in the near future and ask to stop at the warning. It will be especially good to use this tactic if you have no relapses, that is, traffic violations over the past six months or a year. Secondly, you can use a removable towbar. In this case, it will be difficult to logically argue that such design changes affect the likelihood of an accident and its outcome. After all, in essence you have no protruding parts. Which negates the influence of such a semi-tow bar in the final results of an accident. Of course, a reasonable inspector should accept this point of view. Another case would be when the tow bar is installed from the factory or there are fastenings provided for it. We don’t know if there are such cars, that is, those that come straight from the factory with a towbar (tow hitch) and how to confirm that the towbar was installed at the factory. But if there are any, then essentially the towbar cannot be considered a change in the design of the vehicle. Since neither you nor anyone else interfered with the design. Everything was as is. Thirdly, which may be the most popular argument, you can take advantage of the loophole under Chapter V of the Technical Regulations..., section 4, paragraph 77

...that is, if, say, the towbar is certified in accordance with the requirements of the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union for the car on which it is installed, then it has thereby passed the assessment, which means you can drive with it. Well, there is no need to repeat about those provided by the manufacturer, since this is practically akin to what is provided by the design. This is naturally possible, as we have already talked about.

In general, if you have a towbar, then you must have a certificate for compliance with the Technical Regulations, and also that the models in which it was received are mentioned. It is this certificate that will become a kind of guarantee that you won’t be fined for the tow bar. To confirm this information, we will attach a letter from the traffic police.

Well, one thing can be said about homemade towbars: they remain “outside the law” here.

Towbar options for Lada Vesta

The following models of towbars (TCU) are suitable for installation, depending on the manufacturer:

• Leader-Plus, VAZ-41A maximum weight 900 kg;
• Avtos, VAZ-65, weight up to 900 kg;
• Bosal, 1234 A – weight up to 900 kg;
• Trailer, 2180 – weight up to 900 kg, 2180.01 – weight up to 500 kg;
• Sheriff, 3034.12 – weight up to 900 kg;
• Motodor, 92104-A – weight up to 900 kg;
• PT GROUP, 01411501 – weight up to 1500 kg;
• Galia , L025A, L025C - weight up to 1400 kg;
• Auto-Hak , N 10V – weight up to 1400 kg.

Models differ in the need to make a cutout on the rear bumper. The driver needs to keep this nuance in mind, and the body model of his car also matters.

For all presented towbar models

The mounting points are provided by the car manufacturer.

The permissible trailer weight for a car can be found out from the summary plate with the manufacturer's data, located on the right central pillar, below, in the sill area. The fourth digit is the total permissible weight of the vehicle, the fifth is the permissible weight with a trailer.

All presented models have standard certificates.

How to choose a device

When choosing a towbar for Vesta (station wagon or sedan), you should proceed from criteria such as the trailer's carrying capacity and the weight of the cargo that is supposed to be transported. For a passenger car with a small gasoline engine, a 3.5-ton trailer hitch would be a dubious choice. You simply won’t be able to tow such a trailer comfortably and will waste your money.

Which is more practical?

Among other things, it is worth paying attention to the power supply socket of the trailer hitch; they come in 9- and 13-pin types. Accordingly, you need to choose a tow bar so that the socket fits the trailer plug, and you don’t have to redo it later or look for an adapter.

When choosing a trailer hitch of the desired type and size, you should give preference to certified products from leading European manufacturers: Baltex, Bosal, Thule and HAK. By purchasing a reliable imported towbar, you will avoid the need to regularly repair the towbar later. Of the domestic towbars at more reasonable prices, we can recommend the TSU. The cost of a trailer hitch for Vesta varies from 800 to several thousand rubles, depending on the type, functionality and manufacturer. An original tow bar for a particular car model can be purchased at official dealerships.

When inspecting the towbar on Vesta, you need to pay attention to the paint layer. The presence of defects on it should alert you. Moisture penetrating through scratches will cause corrosion.

Homemade towbars are an unsafe thing.

They did not pass the necessary tests for strength, compatibility, and welding quality. They can let you down at the most inopportune moment. The trailer hitch will come off along with the trailer, which may cause an accident. You should purchase trailer hitches only at specialized retail outlets. You must provide the seller with all the necessary information about your car, the weight of the loaded trailer, the load on the tow ball, etc.; specify the equipment (hitch ball, wiring); find out the details of device installation.

In addition to the trailer hitch itself, you may also need a block or coordination module designed to coordinate the actions of the on-board computer and the trailer hitch electrics. The price for a standard Lada Vesta tow bar coordination unit varies in the range of 2-3 thousand rubles.

Towbar installation

Installation of the tow hitch is simple. Simply install a design adapted to the Lada Vesta model (using the example of the Bosal 1234-A model):

• Remove the decorative interior trim of the trunk;
• Remove the rear bumper housing;
• If necessary, disconnect the parking aid connector;
• Remove the special shockproof buffer located under the bumper;
• Remove the plastic plugs from the holes on the lower plane of the side members;
• Insert the guide pins of the trailer hitch into the holes inside the side members;
• Tighten the mounting bolts supplied.

If you decide to install a structure that is not adapted for the Lada Vesta, additional drilling or welding will be required:

• Remove the decorative trim from the inside of the trunk;
• Remove the rear bumper housing;
• Align the vehicle axis with the axis of longitudinal symmetry of the trailer hitch;
• Place the device on the bottom of the car's side members (under the bottom of the car), and use the fastening pads of the brackets to mark holes for drilling;
• Treat the holes with an anti-corrosion compound;
• Secure the trailer hitch frame with the bolts from the kit.

To avoid unplanned repairs, do not forget about periodic preventive maintenance measures for the trailer hitch (tightening bolted connections, treating the coupling ball with a special lubricant solution, applying a cap to the ball).

DIY installation and connection

It is also possible to independently install a tow bar on a Vesta sedan, station wagon or crossover. Before starting work, you need to wash the car. For convenience, you will have to drive the car onto the overpass.

What you need

Regardless of the car model, the device is attached directly to the side members. To work, the driver will need:

• towbar;
• Control block;
• a set of keys.

No additional elements are needed.

How to install and connect a tow bar on a Vesta (sedan)

You can install a tow bar on a Vesta (sedan) car in 30-60 minutes. The sequence of actions is as follows:

1. We drive the car onto the overpass, turn off the engine, and place small blocks under the wheels.
2. Remove the ground terminal from the battery.
3. We remove the rear bumper (a video of the work on removing this structural element can be found on the Internet).
4. Unscrew the mounting bolts from the rear bumper beam and remove it. Re-installation is not provided. To do this, you need to install the 10th head on the knob.
5. At the side members, we clean the holes for fixing the tow bar from the PShM layer.
6. We place the support brackets in the cavity of the side members, fix them with bolts, but do not tighten them.
7. We place the beam on the brackets and tighten it with the fasteners supplied. You will need a 17mm socket.
8. Tighten the fastening bolts. To work you will have to use an extension cord.
9. We mount the hook and socket box (wrench and wrench 19).
10. We install the control unit. It is better to connect it through the rear lights. It is necessary to connect the wires of the brake light, turn signals and dimensions.

The final stage of work is installing the bumper and connecting the battery.

Installation and connection on Lada Vesta SV Cross

The same work is being carried out. There are no fundamental differences.

Wiring diagram for tow bar on Lada Vesta

The towbar kit does not include electrical equipment. Requires a matching unit (see Towbar Matching Unit), which is purchased separately. It is recommended to connect the towbar wiring harness to the wires in the rear light unit, through the trunk.

• Disconnect the terminals on the battery;
• Remove the rubber plug on the side of the body and lay the trailer hitch wiring harness into the luggage compartment of the car;
• Direct connection to the machine wiring is prohibited due to the increased load level in the circuit. Wiring is connected only through the matching controller. The coordination unit allows for uninterrupted operation of the vehicle and trailer electronics and protects the vehicle wiring from overloads;
• Secure the socket using screws to a special platform next to the tow hook.

Don't forget about the number of contacts on the trailer plug. They come in 7 and 13 pins. The towbar socket must have an identical number of contacts. Or you will need to look for special adapters 7/13 or 13/7.

Diagram A corresponds to the towbar socket, B to the trailer plug.

Wire matching:

• Yellow wire - left turn signal.
• Lilac - fog lights (may not be used)
• Gray – ground type cable
• Lilac - left side
• Red - stop light
• Black – starboard side dimensions.

What will happen to the driver for turning out of his lane?

• T-VAZ-41A Leader-plus. This is a removable hook that is secured with bolts. A type A ball is used. The hitch does not imply the need to cut out the bumper. Electrics are not included in the kit, but must be purchased separately. The cost of the towbar will be from 3.4 thousand rubles;
• Bosal 1234-A. An excellent trailer hitch with a type A ball. Also, there is no need to cut out the bumper to fit the structure. Includes wiring and socket. This set costs from 3.5 thousand rubles;
• Leader Plus T-VAZ-44A. Suitable for station wagon, bumper trim required. Socket and wires included, but costs about the same

The final choice is yours. Each product has its own article number, according to which you can easily find a suitable option. Search, watch, consult with specialists.

Is it possible to connect an electrician without a matching unit?

The inclusion of a Smart Connect matching device in the wiring diagram is determined by the power consumption of the lighting equipment from the tow hitch. This figure can be reduced by installing LED lamps on the trailer. The power of such lamps is very low, which will be at the same level or even less than the power of the electromagnetic coils used in the matching unit. Therefore, installing a Smart Connect Coordinator may not be necessary.

In this case, there is no need to rely on Russian maybe. We are talking about the safety of both the vehicle and the life of the driver.

The matching unit must be installed on vehicles equipped with the following systems:

1. Electronic control system with variable voltage.
2. A car with multiplex wiring.
3. CAN BUS data system (with on-board computer)
4. CHECK CONTROL system
5. Burnt out lamp detection system (SFL)
6. Low voltage lighting power supply system.
7. LED lighting system.

The Lada Vesta brand car is a modern vehicle designed taking into account the latest developments in the field of mechanical engineering. Such a car requires only a professional approach to maintenance and repair. This can be provided by certified specialists, whose work will save the driver both nerves and finances.

Law on towbars for passenger cars in 2022

Technical Regulations of the Customs Union 018/2011 “On the safety of wheeled vehicles” is a law that regulates the installation of a coupling unit on passenger vehicles. The need to legalize a trailer hitch depends on the technical characteristics of the vehicle.

If the documentation supplied with the car indicates that the traction device was installed on the vehicle at the factory, then additional registration of the element will not be required. In cases where the production did not provide for the presence of a trailer hitch, and the car owner installed a purchased or homemade hook, it is necessary to register the towbar on the passenger car with the traffic police.

From July 1, 2022, in accordance with the requirements of GOST 33670 “Single motor vehicles. Methods of examination and testing for conformity assessment”, before legalizing tuning in the traffic police, the car will need to be presented for inspection to an accredited organization for laboratory testing.

Previously, it was enough to send the expert photographs of the part of the vehicle to which changes were made. Based on the photographs, a conclusion was issued about whether the work was done well. At the client’s request, the expert could come to the parking lot himself and carry out an assessment. The rules have changed since July 1st. The owner of the car must bring the car for examination himself. However, after making changes, you cannot move on it: this is a violation of traffic rules. Therefore, to carry out the mandatory assessment, they resort to using a tow truck.

Lada Vesta SW Cross Lasta › Logbook › Floating socket: installing towbar electrics

Circumstances, as usual, suddenly make adjustments to plans. This happened with the installation of the towbar electrics: there was an urgent need to transport a trailer against the backdrop of a deadline at work. Well, there was nothing left to do but abandon the intention to install the electrics yourself, turning to trusted specialists.

Let me remind you that all my fuss around the towbar is connected with the desire to make it the most compact and neat from the point of view of the geometric cross-country ability of the car and overall aesthetics. Therefore, the towbar itself (beam and rod with a ball) is made according to my specifications, and the designer also proposed the option of installing a floating bracket for the towbar socket: the unused socket should, according to the plan, go behind the bumper, and, if necessary, move out from there. I spent a long time thinking through the technical details of this option and the only question that remained open was fixing the bracket, especially in the “hidden behind the bumper” position, because the basic option provided a flat plate on a spring-loaded bolt, for which an additional eyelet was specially made on the towbar beam. There were and still are doubts that the weight of the socket and plate while the car is moving can be supported by friction so that the socket can be removed without the use of additional devices.

The solution was successfully found thanks to a good friend Andrey: a ready-made rotating bracket for the towbar socket with fixation in two positions! Exactly what you need! Art. podrozetnik-avtomat.

Previously, I had already purchased an original electrical kit art. 99999215007182, who was just waiting in the wings. Included: - so-called coordination block (a box with an assembly of relays); - a wiring harness in HDPE corrugation for connecting the socket itself to the coordination block and the vehicle wiring (at one end there is a block installed to the mating part on the block, at the other end the wires going to the towbar are crimped onto sleeves for securing them with bolts in the grooves of the socket); - the seven-pin socket itself; - a hanging bracket for the power supply and the power supply itself; - a ground connection wire crimped onto the terminals and a handful of other small items (terminals, ties, etc.).

Having left the car at a non-working time for Ugon.net (they waited for me in the evening, having satisfied my urgent request) and explained to the magician Sasha - the foreman of this company - on the spot what and how I wanted, I flew away on work matters. Thank you uv. Andrey for delivering the socket bracket directly to the craftsmen the very next day!

Upon returning, everything was ready. Thank you uv. Sasha understood the idea and wishes immediately and despite our agreement (to call/write in case of any misunderstandings or tricks) he never distracted me from work. At the same time, the result when accepting the car (again, during non-working hours for Ugon.net - on a Saturday evening) made me break into a wide smile of satisfaction =) When closed, the bracket and socket are practically invisible in the general view of the car, hiding in the neatest cutout of the bumper (looks like , like a standard opening). The bracket's eye, designed for its extension, protrudes just enough so that it is not possible to catch it with anything on rough terrain. But at the same time, it (the ear) is quite accessible so that, bending over or crouching, you can put your finger in the ear and pull out the socket.

I present to the public a number of photographs of the installation process and result, as well as a video demonstration of the operation of the socket's swivel bracket (I apologize for the background noise - the weather was windy):

Basic criteria for selecting a part

There are a couple of types of towbars for Lada Vesta:

The flange type device is optimal for Vesta. To install such a structure, it is necessary to take into account the availability of seats in the car. Only if they have the criterion, the load is applied evenly.

Towbars with rigid fixation have a lower price, are functional, and easy to attach. The main disadvantage of this type is the unaesthetic appearance acquired by the car during installation by welding or bolting.

The main advantage of devices with a coupling ball is the removable type of device. In the absence of operation, the upper part of the mount is removed, the trailer hitch becomes almost invisible. In terms of reliability and stability, this type is not inferior to others, but has a higher price. Due to its characteristics, most drivers prefer this model.

2180 drivers rarely choose American-style towbars. Compared to previous types, the American device has a number of disadvantages:

• complex installation on the car and operation;
• There may be differences in the installation of seats and the size of the ball;
• sockets may not comply with European standards.

The set of American-type coupling devices consists of four parts: a metal frame is attached under the rear bumper, a bracket is installed, which is secured with a clamp. This type has a coupling ball.

Installing a tow hitch on Vesta yourself

Installing a tow bar
The work depends on what type of device the owner of the Lada Vesta is going to buy. Before starting installation, be sure to lubricate all the holes and the coupling ball, which will be covered with a cap afterwards. The part will therefore not become contaminated. Installing the Lada Vesta towbar is quite simple:

1. The first condition will be to dismantle the rear bumper, which will be useful for the convenience of further work and maintaining the integrity of the body.
2. In some situations, it becomes necessary to drill the bottom of the trunk. Otherwise, they simply combine the technological holes of the body and the towbar to install the device.
3. After checking the correct connections, all that remains is to tighten all the fasteners.

Popular manufacturers

Popular manufacturers of traction structures are Baltex and AvtoS. Among foreign analogues, Bosal, Thlue (Brink), Auto-hak are popular.

Types of body kit

• Type of body kit: Towbars

Sorting: On page:

• Tow hitch Avtos towbar for Lada Vesta No. VAZ-65Manufacturer: AvtosFor car: Lada VestaYear of manufacture: 2015-2020In stockRUR 3,321 Buy in 1 clickAdd to cart
• Tow hitch Bosal towbar for sedan on Lada Vesta No. 1234-AManufacturer: BosalFor car: Lada VestaYear of manufacture: 2015-2020In stockRUR 3,420 Buy in 1 clickAdd to cart
• Tow hitch Leader-Plus for Lada Vesta/Vesta SW No. T-VAZ-41AManufacturer: Leader PlusFor car: Lada Vesta/Vesta SWYears of manufacture: 2015-2020In stockRUR 3,540 Buy in 1 clickAdd to cart
• Tow hitch Galvanized Motodor for sedan for Lada Vesta No. 92104-A Manufacturer: Motodor For car: Lada Vesta Years of manufacture: 2015-2020 In stock RUR 4,000 Buy in 1 clickAdd to cart
• Tow hitch galvanized Galia ball A for Lada Vesta No. L025AManufacturer: GaliaFor car: Lada VestaYear of manufacture: 2015-2020In stockRUR 9,640 Buy in 1 clickAdd to cart
• Tow hitch galvanized Galia ball C removable for Lada Vesta No. L025CManufacturer: GaliaFor car: Lada VestaYear of manufacture: 2015-2020In stockRUR 14,450 Buy in 1 clickAdd to cart
• Towbar Trailer ball A (except for vehicles with gas cylinder equipment) for Lada Vesta No. 2180 Manufacturer: Trailer For car: Lada Vesta Years of manufacture: 2015-2020 In stock RUR 4,500 Buy in 1 clickAdd to cart
• Tow hitch Leader-Plus for Lada Vesta No. VAZ-41A Manufacturer: Leader Plus For car: Lada Vesta Years of manufacture: 2015-2020 To order RUR 3,080 Buy in 1 click Add to cart

Required

Towbar

(original catalog numbers):

• Lada Vesta sedan (article 99999218007282), price about 6800 rubles;
• Lada Vesta SW/SW Cross (article 99999218107282), price about 7,000 rubles;
• Lada XRAY (article 99999215007216), price about 5,000 rubles.

A non-original towbar can be found at a price of 2,200 rubles.

Control unit (coordination)

:

• 99999215007182, price about 2900 rubles.

This block is necessary to connect the towbar to the car and is designed to coordinate the actions of the towbar electrics and the on-board computer. Instead, you can assemble a matching block of five relays (see below).