Is the tow bar provided for the field by the manufacturer?

Hello, dear friends! Today we will talk about the tow bar for the Niva. We have already talked about the trailer hitch on the Chevrolet Niva, so today’s material will be devoted to the classic domestic SUV.

The Niva tow bar must meet the vehicle specifications. That is, the load on the tow bar itself, its carrying capacity, and the type of trailer used are taken into account. Here you better start from your specific car, since it could be 2131, 2121, 21214, 21213, Urban version or even Bertone. This is not a complete list of Niva variants that our plant produces and has produced.

Structurally, you should get a towbar coupling ball, which will connect to the coupling head installed on the trailer drawbar. This device replaced a conventional hook and became a real breakthrough, since it was possible to get rid of the play between the hooks and the drawbar.

Selecting a trailer hitch

Is there an option for installing towbars on Nivas if the car originally came from the factory without one? Yes. These domestic crossovers have special holes, so the trailer hitch is mounted in standard places. But you will also need to drill a few additional holes. Now look specifically at your car.

Niva car owners are offered the installation of several trailer hitch options:

non-removable or non-removable, in which the hook or coupling ball is welded to the base;
conditionally removable, fastened with several bolts;
quick-release, having a slightly protruding coupling for fixation, which allows you to store the hook with the ball separately;
quick-release with a vertical type of fastening, where the hook is pulled down and the fasteners are not visible;

I will say right away that a removable ball is more preferable for me, since this design allows you to use the trailer hitch only when necessary. Moreover, it is better to take quick-release devices, because unscrewing several bolts will take quite a lot of time.

For VAZ Niva 4×4, they usually prefer to choose the simplest towbar options. They are inexpensive and can be purchased for several thousand rubles. Although this has its drawbacks.

Alternative trailer hitch options

There are alternative solutions that I would like to discuss with you.

Reinforced bumper with towbar. Nowadays, the Chevrolet Niva towbar with bumper protection is very popular. But no one is stopping you from installing it on the classic Niva. This is a ready-made bumper with a trailer hitch mounted into it. Products from Bosal (Bosal) or RIF will cost about 30 thousand rubles. This cost is justified because you get a bumper with a powerful gate and reinforcement, providing a high degree of rigidity and resistance to loads. Allows you to carry heavier loads. In this case, installation is carried out on conventional crossover body brackets and no modification is required;
Square towbar. Another option for the rear bumper. It costs about 2 times less than the previous trailer hitch. But you will need to buy a ball joint separately. It is in great demand due to price, ease of use and load-bearing capacity. And it looks quite original compared to standard towbars. Just look at the numbers indicated on the trailer hitch. They indicate permissible traction loads and additionally help to make sure that what you are looking at is not a fake.

In general, the topic of the power bumper for the Niva deserves special attention.

Each towbar comes with a connection and installation diagram; the kit includes a towbar socket and instructions on how to connect the socket and all electrical components.

Some people prefer to assemble the towbar with their own hands, relying on drawings, photos and video instructions. Personally, my opinion is that this is not the best option. To assemble a full-fledged high-quality tow bar, you need to take into account all dimensions, select high-quality materials, use the appropriate wires for electrical equipment, and so on. And how much does it cost to assemble a homemade trailer hitch? If it’s high quality and reliable, then it’s about the same as a standard factory tow bar. This is an imaginary saving of money. The price will be the same, but the quality of construction will not. Plus, it is more difficult to register a homemade towbar; problems may arise during registration.

I advise you to first familiarize yourself with whether it is possible to install a trailer hitch and what the traffic regulations now say about this.

Useful tips

Due to the fact that a breakdown of the structure while driving can cause a lot of trouble. Avoid butt welding metal. Therefore, it is preferable to attach steel strips to the edges of the beam by cutting holes in them to the size of the pipe section, putting them on its ends, and then welding them.
Do not use an angle grinder without protective glasses, and do not cook without a mask: take care of your eyes.
If you want to paint a new towbar with your own hands, then first, thoroughly prepare its surface for painting. To do this, pickle it with any product that contains phosphoric acid to convert rust. Then sand the surface with waterproof sandpaper, pouring water on it to wash away the waste. Dry the assembly, degrease it with solvent for nitro paints or acetone, and cover it with adhesive primer from a spray can. Dry the soil according to the instructions. Sand with 400 grit sandpaper and water until the surface is evenly matte after the water dries. The surface is ready - dry, degrease with alcohol or B-70 gasoline (the solvent will smear the fresh soil). Then you can paint. After this preparation, your paint will last a very long time.

Sources

https://ProDemio.ru/farkop-na-nivu-svoimi-rukami-chertezhi/
https://okuzove.ru/modifikacii/pricepnoe-ustrojstvo-dlya-avtomobilya-svoimi-rukami.html
https://7road.ru/drugoe/podklyuchenie-farkopa-niva-21214.html
https://nadouchest.ru/farkop-na-nivu-chertezh-razmery/
https://chnivaremont.ru/tyuning/farkop-na-chevrole-nivu.html
https://avto-idea.ru/remont/ustanovka-farkopa-na-shevrole-niva-otlichiya-ot-ustroystva/

Installation recommendations

You have already decided what you are installing on the Niva, you have found the product article, purchased it and are ready to begin installation.

How did you do it? Did you buy the trailer first and then the towbar, or vice versa? Write in the comments. And don't forget to read up on the pitfalls of buying car trailers online.

If you want to buy a used tow bar, carefully check its quality and condition. However, long-term operation could have a negative impact on the reliability of the trailer hitch. That's why it's better to buy a new Niva tow bar.

Well, okay, it's up to you to decide. We move on to the question of how to install a towbar on a car.

First, remove all the moldings, mud flaps, bumpers, fog lights, rear amplifier and muffler. That is, everything that can interfere with you during the installation of the trailer hitch;
In some Nivas or with some modifications, you have to remove the rear wheels, hang the car with jacks or put it on a pit;
Remove all unnecessary items from the trunk. This is where problems may arise for cars with HBO. If the SUV is converted to use gas, then there will probably be a gas cylinder in the trunk. It is difficult to dismantle it, and carrying out work with a welding machine and drill is not the most sensible idea. You will either have to abandon the idea of installation, or entrust it to specialists. I cannot afford to advise working in such conditions with my own hands;
If everything is fine with access to the trunk, lift the floor and remove the trim;
The cross member is attached to the rod using two nuts and bolts (their size will be M12x40). Then the tow bar is inserted under the bumper so that the rear corner rests against the crossover beam. This way you can fix the hitch cross member with two clamps to the holder of your bumper on the car;

The rear corner of the towbar is pressed against the crossbar from below, and a pair of 10.5 mm holes are drilled through it. From the interior, the holes are drilled further to obtain a diameter of 18 mm and a depth of 5 mm. The bushings included in the kit are installed in them. Only 4 pieces;

Congratulations, you did everything yourself! Hooray!

Let's sum it up

Practice clearly shows that even in the absence of extensive experience, it is possible to install a towbar on any car, including a Niva, on your own. But if there is some uncertainty, you doubt your knowledge and capabilities, then entrust the work to specialists.

Scissor car lifts with turntable

Let's sum it up

For now, you can buy yourself a trailer, choose an expeditionary trunk or any other roof rack option for the improved Niva, since the internal volume of the luggage space of such a car is clearly not enough.

For fans of fishing, hunting, trophy raids, or simply residents of regions with very bad roads, installing a lift kit will be a real salvation. It increases the vehicle's cross-country ability, plus gives it the appearance of a real off-road conqueror.

In any case, it's up to you to decide. All I can do is say goodbye and wish you all the best. New materials are coming very soon!

Thank you for your attention! Subscribe, leave comments, ask questions and invite your friends to join us!

Installation nuances

Before installing the towbar on the Niva, a number of preparatory measures should be carried out:

Place the car on an overpass, inspection hole, or raise the rear of the car using a jack.
Disconnect the car.
Remove moldings, mudguards, and plastic covers from the car.
Remove the wheels.
Empty the trunk and remove the trim.

Many Niva models are equipped with standard places for attaching a tow bar.

After completing the preparation, proceed directly to the installation of the part:

Using two bolts, a cross member is attached to the rod.
A tow bar is placed under the bumper. It is important to consider that when installed correctly, the rear corner of the trailer hitch rests against the transverse beam of the car, but does not interfere with the operation of the vehicle components.
Using two clamps, attach the cross member of the draft device to the bumper holder.
The rear part of the towbar is pressed from below to the transverse spar, two holes with a diameter of 1.05 cm are drilled through it. From the interior side, the resulting holes are drilled to a diameter of 1.08 centimeters and a depth of 0.5 cm. Four bushings that come with the kit are installed in the resulting niches towbar.
In the trunk area, two holes with a diameter of 1.25 centimeters are also drilled in the bumper holders. Further, by analogy, they expand to 1.8 centimeters, and bushings are inserted into them.
Next, the socket box is mounted and the ball itself is installed directly.

At the end of the work, the previously dismantled parts and a protective cap on the trailer hitch ball are installed on the machine.

It is generally accepted that a towbar does not reduce the vehicle's ground clearance. Except for those cases when a reinforced bumper is installed on the car along with a tow bar.

Kinds

Before installing a towbar on the Niva 2121 and other modifications of the Lada 4×4, you should familiarize yourself with the types of trailer hitch:

Removable.

The towing hitch is secured with two or more bolts. If necessary, the part can be completely dismantled. Suitable for installation on VAZ 21213 and other models.

Non-removable.

This version of the tow bar is quite difficult to dismantle, since it is fixed on special platforms using large bolts (the part is also often “tightly” welded to the fastening mechanism). Can be installed on models 2121, 21213 and other Nivas.

Quick release.

The hook and the hitch ball of the trailer hitch are easy to remove. These Components are stored separately from the rest of the towbar structure and used when necessary. The locking coupling extends slightly beyond the rear bumper of the car. The part is installed on many Niva models. For example, the VAZ 21214 car with a removable trailer hitch ball is especially popular among car enthusiasts.

Quick-release, equipped with a vertical mount.

In this design, the hook is removed downwards. After dismantling, the fastening is not visible, as it bends under the bottom of the car. This towbar is installed on the VAZ 2131 and other Lada 4x4 models.

When choosing a towbar, you should pay attention to the numbers indicated on the part. They indicate the maximum draft load and are confirmation of the originality of the product.

When choosing a towbar for the Niva, you need to pay attention to the products of the companies “AvtoS”, “Auto-Hack”.

Connecting the device outlet

As for the connection diagram of the socket designed to provide current to the towbar, it is designed so that the second and fifth contacts remain free . The yellow trailer hitch wire is soldered to the first contact, it is responsible for the left turn, and the yellow-green wire is soldered to the third (acts as the trailer mass). The fourth contact will be used for soldering a white wire, which will ensure the operation of the right turn, the sixth is red, responsible for the brake light, and the side lights function thanks to the blue wire soldered to the seventh contact.

Preparing car trailer wires for soldering is carried out according to the following instructions:

The wires (with the exception of blue) protrude from the cable by 2 centimeters.
They are stripped of 7 millimeters of insulation (blue by 13-14 millimeters, in addition, it is cut off at the end by 0.5 centimeters).
Power is supplied from connectors located on the rear lights.

When connecting an outlet, care must be taken to ensure good insulation . If water gets on the contacts, oxidation will occur and it will become inoperative. There is a high risk of a short circuit . The insulating materials are the rubber gasket that comes with the socket and the sealant.

Operating rules

In order for the part to last long enough and to avoid problems with the traffic police, the following rules for operating a trailer hitch on a vehicle must be observed:

Before installing the trailer hitch, you should clarify whether the vehicle manufacturer provides for the installation of this equipment. If you do not do this and do not register changes to the design of the car, then problems with the traffic police may arise.
When transporting a trailer with a gross weight close to the maximum value, the maximum permissible vehicle speed should not exceed 90 kilometers per hour.
Regularly check the tightness of the trailer hitch connections. Experts recommend carrying out this operation. Experts recommend carrying out this operation every 1000 km of the vehicle.
To protect a product that has not been used for a long time from destruction, and to protect it from the negative effects of the environment, use a protective cap and a special lubricant.
Scratches and chips that occur on the part during operation are covered with a special restorative composition. In addition, moisture, salt and dirt should be removed from it regularly. This is necessary to protect the trailer hitch from corrosion.

Technical features

The dimensions of the future unit and the number of wheel pairs depend on the purpose of its operation. So, to transport large-sized cargo and long items, you will need long biaxial equipment with folding sides. And for the transportation of bulk substances, a single-axle truck with increased side height, equipped with an awning, is suitable. For trips through rural areas at low speed on a road train, including a trailer with a gross weight of up to 0.3 tons, brakes are optional. But to increase load capacity and safety, it is better to give preference to models equipped with a braking system.

Trailer MZSA 817730.012

As for the towing capabilities of the machine, that is, the total weight of the towed equipment, the manufacturer provides clear restrictions, voicing an indicator of 600–750 kg. The information is written down in the vehicle's operating manual. Another indicator is ground clearance. The Niva car is a crossover with high cross-country ability, which means high ground clearance. Based on this, the trailer is selected with the appropriate indicators.

Additional equipment includes:

Winch.
Tipper mechanism.
Hubs from Niva.
Tent.
Folding sides.
Locks.
Drawbar extension.
Lighting equipment.

Some of this is included in the basic kit, others are purchased separately as an add-on.

Making your own tow bar

Despite the sale of ready-made towbars, motorists independently manufacture trailer hitches for the Niva. To design a product yourself you will need:

Prepare a drawing of the future part. You can create it yourself, order it from a specialist, or download it on the Internet. The technical documentation must indicate the dimensions of all components of the trailer hitch and the type of fasteners.
Purchase high quality materials. The use of low-quality metal will lead to rapid failure of the tow bar.
Ensuring reliable connection of all parts of the trailer hitch to each other. One of the most popular types of homemade towbars is non-removable. This choice is explained by the relative simplicity of the design and the absence of moving mechanisms and elements in it.

The quality of a homemade trailer hitch will be an order of magnitude worse than a serial one. In addition, there will be significant problems with registering a homemade part with the traffic police. You also need to take care of proper installation. Otherwise, using the towbar may damage the rear of the vehicle.

Niva is an off-road passenger car. The vehicle is used for trips out of town, fishing and hunting trips. The car also often acts as a tug for stuck vehicles. By installing a towbar, you will be able to fully enjoy the operation of your car.

Chevrolet Niva 2016

- I told him on what basis to remove it, I bought a car like this at a dealership, this is the equipment from the factory.

- he told me - you’re not the first like this, look at the certificate for the car, there’s no trailer hitch in it, there’s only a snorkel.

He laid out everything clearly for me - showed me the documents and the certificate for the standard equipment of my SHNIVA.

It turns out that SHNIVY in LE and LE+ configurations, produced before November 2016, according to the vehicle approval certificate, do not have a trailer hitch as standard equipment - and were installed by the factory illegally.

contacted the factory

– answer – sorry for the inconvenience, here is your passport and certificate for the trailer hitch, legalize it yourself

this one was trawled