What to buy towbar for Kalina station wagon, do-it-yourself installation

1. Difficulty of choice
2. Manufacturers and equipment
3. Installation

Hi all! Agree that towing coupling devices are often found on domestic cars. I can’t say for sure what causes this. But I can tell you a little about the tow bar for Kalina Universal or just VAZ 1117.

This car, even despite this type of body, cannot boast of large luggage space. What can we say about a sedan or hatchback, where the size of the luggage compartment is even smaller.

To compensate for this lack of space, you can install a tow bar. Its installation and connection are not difficult. If you choose wisely and study all the instructions in detail, you can easily do the installation yourself.

First, you have to buy a suitable trailer hitch. I will give you some recommendations on this matter. And I’ll tell you about the installation separately, which will allow you to at least have an idea of ​​how all this work is done and what may be required of you.

Difficulty of choice

If you look at the assortment, it may seem that buying a trailer hitch for Kalina will not be difficult. But we have already considered this issue using the example of choosing and installing towbars on Lada Largus, as well as on Lada Vesta cars and on the no less popular, but requiring expansion of the luggage space Lada Priora.

The main problem is not that the price is high. No, most of the good towbars suitable for Kalina are quite inexpensive. Therefore, for regular Kalina and Kalina Cross you won’t have to spend a lot of money. The problem is the assortment, which is simply huge. And you have to choose among them. I advise you to start with the type of construction, of which there are 3.

• Welded. The drawings are quite simple, but very reliable due to the welding connection. At the same time, it will not be possible to dismantle such a trailer hitch without special tools and equipment. It is not removable, which may cause problems when operating a car without a trailer;
• Removable. The advantage is the possibility of dismantling. The connection is quite reliable if the permissible loads are not exceeded. Easy to use and affordable;
• Flanged. Installation is extremely simple; you can eliminate the installation step of trimming the bumper. Although the designs are the most expensive, taking them in the current realities is the most profitable.

Pay attention to what generation your station wagon is. The thing is that the first generation trailer hitch is not suitable for the 2nd generation Kalina. And vice versa. But a tow bar designed for the Lada Granta is perfect for a station wagon.

I do not recommend buying used options, since it is unknown in what conditions the towbars were used and how intact their design has been preserved. Such savings are completely unjustified.

Manufacturers and equipment

As for manufacturers, several brands can be distinguished.

• Baltex. A domestic company whose main plant is located in St. Petersburg. But you can purchase products in Voronezh, Samara, Moscow and throughout Russia. Reasonable prices and decent quality. That says it all;
• AutoS. The plant is from Kolomna, which has been operating since 1991 and creates excellent towing devices. They don’t ask for a lot of money, but they are willing to provide good quality and complete installation kit;
• Trailer . One of the most famous companies in Russia, which manufactures and sells trailer hitches. Prices are level, quality is not satisfactory. Hence the increased demand;
• Leader Plus. Another popular brand with a wide range of trailer hitches for domestic cars and not only. It’s easy to find an adapted version for Kalina station wagon. The price will pleasantly surprise you.

There are a number of foreign brands that are more expensive, but in fact do not justify themselves in relation to domestic cars. Whether you want to overpay or not, decide for yourself.

In order for the installation to proceed without any problems, you need to carefully check the complete set of the trailer hitch before starting work.

Moreover, from personal experience, I advise you to do this before transferring money to the seller. Otherwise, it will be problematic to buy or look for something later.

A standard and correct set should consist of:

• the towbar frame itself;
• removable ball, if you buy a removable trailer hitch;
• fastenings;
• wires;
• protective decorative cap;
• sockets;
• technical passport;
• installation diagrams;
• installation instructions;
• plugs (not everywhere).

Having such a set, you can safely get to work. If you are not confident in your own abilities, it is better to use the services of specialists. Here everyone decides for himself.

There will be nothing complicated in installation if you select a trailer hitch specifically for your Kalina station wagon model. Some towbars require trimming the bumper and drilling holes. If you encounter this, then definitely choose a device that is not intended for your car. Viburnum comes in different varieties.

It is also important to know 5 nuances about connecting the towbar socket:

Figure 4. 5 nuances about connecting the towbar socket
Look at the towbar connector in the picture. Switching off will not be particularly difficult, especially if there is a universal component element, which is a towbar connector. It is very convenient to make the connection if the plug and socket match the connectors. Accordingly, a seven-pin socket must be connected to a seven-pin plug. In this option, you can make a normal connection, do not forget to combine the required sockets with the corresponding sockets.

Figure 5. 7 pin

Figure 6. Cover

First familiarize yourself with the location of all seven connectors. If they coincide visually, then you can simply try to connect one to the other. If the towbar socket is of high quality, then it must have a cover. It is needed to protect against various external influences. Such protection will be required at a time when the towbar is not connected to the trailer.

Figure 7. Splicing

You can connect electronics in a simpler way. To perform such an operation, it is necessary to combine several leashes into a group and create an effective symbiosis of the supply of electrical signals. You can splice the contacts of two headlights, reverse lights, brake lights, fog lights and side lights. This is explained by the fact that when operating the car they will be used synchronously. Fastening is provided using brackets.

The next method involves changing the car's electrical system. This change consists of combining several wires that lead to the rear light and signal electrics of the trailer. They must be connected to the wires from the coupling device. If the vehicle has a complex electrical circuit, then you will have to spend a little more effort than in previous options. If the car's signal and light bulbs work without a special microprocessor, then you can connect a 7-channel towbar connector. Before you begin the operation, you should make sure that there are enough wires. If necessary, you can make the wiring elements yourself using a three-core copper wire of one and a half millimeters. They should be marked “PVS”.

If the connection is made directly, you must have a diagram of the towbar in front of your eyes, as well as a diagram of the car socket.

To make the connection correctly, you need to supply turn signals, brake lights, as well as side and fog lights via one wire; you also connect license plate lighting there. You will also need to connect several wires that go to ground, the reversing light, if there is one. A special adapter is also installed on the electronic units. We are talking about a coordination unit between the electrics, the towbar and the towed part of the car. If there is such a connection, all connected parts will work smoothly and will not create problems for the motorist. Connecting the towbar coordination unit is done by yourself.

Photos of towbar connection diagrams will always help in your work if difficulties arise.

Connecting a trailer socket

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.

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.

Towbar for Lada Kalina hatchback

The towing device that is used to attach a trailer to a vehicle is called a towbar. Each car model, due to its individual design and structure, requires a specific towbar model in order for the towbar to hold tightly and reliably. Therefore, towbars are manufactured separately for each model of the model range.

A prototype of the Lada Kalina hatchback was demonstrated to the public in 1999. However, the assembly of such cars began only in 2006. Since 2008, the Sport modification also began to exist. The second generation of five-door hatchbacks was launched in 2013. In the new version, the car has become more powerful.

Types of products

Today, some drivers manage to transport heavy luggage in domestic compact VAZ models, but note that the trunks of such cars are not entirely suitable for transporting cargo of this nature. Also, the folded backrest of the rear seat row does not “save” the situation much. For transporting very large items, using a trailer is an excellent solution. The tow bar serves this purpose. Considering that the luggage compartment volume in the Lada Kalina is a modest 235 liters, then choosing a coupling device will be a very effective solution.

Choosing a tow hitch for Lada Kalina

The main part of the towbar, in addition to the fastenings, to which the trailer clings is the towbar ball. Towbar balls can be of different classifications, depending on the dimensions of the car and the expected load on it. Lada Kalina uses class A towballs, which means that the maximum load on it can be up to 1,500 kg and 100 kg in horizontal and vertical dimensions.

We recommend choosing towbar devices from Bosal-Autoflex, since they meet all safety requirements, are made of high-quality materials, and also represent a very favorable combination of price and quality. Use only new towbars, as it is virtually impossible to determine the loads applied to used structures.

Prices for towbars for Lada Kalina 1, 2 hatchback

Do-it-yourself towbar installation on Lada Kalina

Installed towbar on Lada Kalina 2 Cross

• Before installation, remove the top cover of the luggage compartment,
• remove the rubber plugs,
• place the trailer hitch so that the holes coincide,
• secure,
• drill holes to the desired width,
• tightly secure the trailer hitch on the reverse side,
• tighten all nuts.

More detailed instructions describing the exact values ​​and tools are included with the towbar.

The picture shows a towbar for Lada Kalina from Bosal-Autoflex.

Tow bar for viburnum hatchback

I recently bought a towbar from the Leader Plus brand, price 1960 rubles with a removable ball (as written in the description), or rather with a removable rod with a ball)))

Previously, I have already installed towbars from this company on a Kalina sedan and a VAZ 2110, the installation was always quite simple and quick, but not this time.

This short Lada Kalina hatchback (by the way, both the first and second ones have the same towbar mounting device) has very little space for manipulating with your fingers, or rather, for screwing on the first 2 bolts with which the towbar is initially attached.

The bolts included in the kit are very long, I had to cut them randomly because they didn’t fit (they rest against the spare tire tray). The rest of the holes have to be drilled myself. When I read this in the instructions, my heart pounded.

I thought that, like the Kalina sedan and station wagon, there were all the necessary welded nuts for installation, but here I was miraculously mistaken

Well, I had to take a drill and drill, well, a drill of a suitable diameter and length, yes, about 15 cm long - two holes are drilled through the entire rear pie of the body and come out right under the plastic trim of the rear frame of the body, it was in the garage

What exactly do you need to buy for a station wagon?

Let's turn to the official documentation, more precisely, to the catalog of assembly units. In this document, one of the drawings shows the body frame:

Rear floor frame, station wagon

All parts, in addition to the 12th, make up the floor frame. A towbar must be attached to parts “14” and “3”, as well as to channel “13”. These parts are provided with holes (their total number is 6).

The distance from part “13” to the first side hole in our case is 145 mm, to the second – 245 mm. For the “first Lada Kalina” these distances were different. Towbars suitable for the VAZ-1118 are not necessarily suitable for the Kalina-2. However, there are also universal solutions. A drawing of one of them is presented below.

A universal tow bar will have 4 or 5 holes on the sides:

Scheme of a universal towbar (for Granta, Kalina-1 and 2)

If the kit comes with threaded strips, then know that they will not be needed. The standard holes in the body are threaded from the factory. In conclusion, here is a photo illustrating all of the above:

Hole layout, new family station wagon

When making your choice, do not make mistakes! You can take a ruler with you and measure the distance from the plane of the “ears” (see diagram above) to the first side hole. It should be exactly 145 mm.

Preparatory stage (selection of PTF for Lada Granta)

In order to install the PTF in the Lada Granta, special installation locations will be required. Fortunately, the standard bumper already has such standard places from the factory. Their dimensions are completely similar and identical to the PTF from Kalina and have two different types.

The first is sold under the Bosch brand in Ryazan and has a flat glass headlight block, and headlights with convex glass are produced under production in Kirzhach. These two types of headlights have the same mounts, so choose for yourself which headlights to buy for yourself.

On the left side there is a PTF from “Bosch” (LUCH), on the right side there is “Kirzhach”.

Towbar for station wagons and its installation

Let's look at the installation procedure, following the standard instructions. Please note that all towbar mounting screws are metric and have a standard size of M10. You'll need a spanner, but that's not all. Considering the weight of the product, it is better to carry out installation by two people: one mechanic holds the towbar, the second tightens the screws.

We remove the mastic from the holes in the side members.

First of all, before installation you need to find the standard threaded holes. Using a Phillips screwdriver, they are cleaned of anticorrosion.

The towbar assembly itself is placed under the body so as not to damage the muffler mount. Then, hand screw in the six bolts that should be included in the kit. Don't forget to install the washers supplied by the manufacturer.

Getting to the bolt heads will be difficult. Use a socket wrench to tighten all the screws last.

It is important to know that you cannot use power tools when performing installation. The hand rotating the handle of the spanner develops quite sufficient force.

Depending on the qualifications of the installer, the entire installation operation takes 10-20 minutes. Additionally, you may need to connect an outlet that will power the trailer's electronics. Here it is better to contact an official dealer. You cannot connect the wiring yourself - this may void the warranty. We wish you success.

The result of all efforts may look like this:

Installed tow bar, Lada Kalina Cross car

What is shown here is not a station wagon, but a crossover, but the body of these cars differs little from the station wagon.

Registration required

The possibility of installing a tow bar on the Lada Kalina is provided by the manufacturer. Therefore, there is no need to register it if it is a certified product. But the car enthusiast must have the following documents with him:

• technical certificate of the trailer hitch with an installation mark;
• copies of certificates of product compliance with Russian standards;
• invoice or receipt for installation of the device.

Installing a towbar without a certificate or that is not suitable for a given car model (it was necessary to drill holes in the side member) is interpreted as making changes to the design of the vehicle. In accordance with the requirements of the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union, the vehicle will have to be registered with the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate. The procedure involves testing the product for strength in an accredited laboratory, which will require financial costs from the owner.

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.

How to choose a tow bar?

This process implies an individual approach, since there are many product designs and they vary depending on the body version and generation of the Lada Kalina. So, for example, a towbar for the first generation of a sedan may not fit a station wagon in the second generation. Note that for the Lada Kalina station wagon in the same generation, the coupling device designed for the related Grant model is quite suitable.

If we take into account this aspect, then otherwise the choice cannot cause difficulties for the future owner of the product.

Tips for choosing a towbar

As for the data related to trailers, the Kalina-2 hatchback is no different from the station wagon:

• The total weight of towed devices not equipped with brakes must not exceed 450 kg;
• The maximum trailer weight, if equipped with a brake system, can be 900 kg.

Based on these numbers, you need to choose a new towbar. For most devices on the market and suitable for Kalina-2, the rated value is 900 kg. Here we are talking about the traction load, that is, the force applied in the horizontal plane. There is another important parameter - the load on the ball. Typically, for devices that can withstand 1000 kg of traction load, the ball load value is 75 kg. The force with which a trailer can push against a towbar is limited, and 75 kg is approximately 750 Newton.

Let’s say that one person can connect the trailer to the car. In this case, the vertical load can hardly exceed 50 kg. Conclusion: there is no need to buy coupling equipment if it is not even designed for the specified load (50 kg).

The question is often asked what category of license is needed to drive a car with a trailer. The mass of the station wagon is 950 kg, and the trailer, as mentioned above, can weigh no more. Plus, the mass of the “hitch” will not exceed 3.6 tons. All together this will entail the following: the driver driving such a “hitch” only needs to have a category B license. This is true even if the trailer weighs 900 kg.

Direct connection diagrams

If the towbar and trailer of a passenger car (and truck) are equipped with the appropriate connectors, then the electrical connection diagram will not be needed at all, since you just need to insert the socket into the socket.

Pinout of 7-pin trailer socket Euro and RF

1. Left side turn signal.
2. Reversing lamp.
3. Earth.
4. Right side turn signal.
5. License plate light and right side marker light.
6. Brake light bulbs.
7. Right side marker light.

US 7 pin trailer socket pinout

A special feature of the connector is the presence of a reverse contact and the absence of separation between the right and left rows of side lights. In some models of American cars, there is no separation between side lights and brake lights (they run on one wire).

Pinout diagram for 13-pin socket

1. Left side turn signal.
2. Rear fog lamp.
3. Ground for terminals 1 to 8.
4. Right side turn signal.
5. Left side of dimensions and number plate illumination.
6. Brake light lamp.
7. The right side of the dimensions and number plate illumination.
8. Reversing lamp.
9. Constant voltage 12 volts 35 amps.
10. The voltage is 12 volts 35 amps, supplied after the ignition is turned on.
11. Ground for terminal.
12. Signal wire.
13. Ground for terminal 9.

When the car is not equipped with a modern electronic control unit. Thanks to this, electrical wires can be directly connected to existing electrical circuits. That is, the wires that come from the connector are connected to those connected to the rear lighting equipment.

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.

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.

Product contents for the universal version

Today, the device we are considering belongs to the category of collapsible structures. You can purchase it in a specialized retail chain. This option has undeniable advantages over its competitors. Among the positive aspects we note:

• - simplicity of the installation procedure;
• — ease during transportation;
• — compactness in storage.

The delivery set includes the following list of components:

• technical manual;
• protective cap;
• fasteners;
• 7-pin socket for switching lighting devices.

Important! The design of towbars varies slightly, which affects the pricing policy. Also, the complete set may have a varied composition. When choosing the best option, pay attention to these points.