Tow bar fitting

bayliss Thomas · Dec 7th, 2016, 15:37

Recently received my tow bar assembly from AmazonCars, it is the tow bar that is specifically made to fit my car (123gt). My question is how simple or difficult are these things to fit to the car? Are there bolt sockets already installed in the car chassis? Also no electric came with my tow bar so need to purchase separately, easy or difficult to do electrics, I guess the wires would need to be spliced in? Thanks for any advise and help. If it comes up beyond my limited capabilities I will have to book it in somewhere for the work to be done.

Volvo_133 · Dec 7th, 2016, 17:20

As you have suggested it is down to capabilities. Amazon bodies do not have the captive nuts like a modern car. My references from here on relate to the type I fitted, which is the swan neck type which does not require the chrome bumper drilling. There are brackets to the towbar which simply share the bumper iron fixings. These bolts may be seized up, you will need slightly longer bolts which may have come with towbar kit.
There are fixings which need drilling, at the rear to the side of the petrol tank filler tube. There are more fixings which require drilling under the rear seat base. The wiring (for the 7 pin) is just a splicing job as you have suggested.
If you start by securing towbar to the bumper irons, this will "line up" the other locations and give you the positions to drill.
With a good rechargeable drill and some bits, you will only be drilling the thin body metal. Remember to disconnect the battery before splicing in the wiring.

classicswede · Dec 8th, 2016, 14:32

That about covers it. If you have the type that goes through the bumper then you need to drill through the bumper. I do not like that type as they are not as strong, the swan neck is the best option

bayliss Thomas · Dec 8th, 2016, 16:34

Thank you guys, enough information there to pursuade me to take the car to a tow bar fitters shop. The tow bar I have is the fixed swan neck type made specifically for the Amazon. Very expensive but a quality item, it deserves to be fitted to a high standard which is beyond my capability I think.
Thanks again.

Derek UK · Dec 8th, 2016, 18:47

Seeing as you bought it from Rob it might have been a good idea for him to fit it as part of the deal. You're not far from him and he will have more experience with this fitting than any "specialist".

bayliss Thomas · Dec 8th, 2016, 18:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek UK

Seeing as you bought it from Rob it might have been a good idea for him to fit it as part of the deal. You're not far from him and he will have more experience with this fitting than any "specialist".

Surprisingly Rob doesn't offer a fitting service for tow bars otherwise I would certainly have booked it with him.

Dibble · Dec 8th, 2016, 21:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by bayliss Thomas

Surprisingly Rob doesn't offer a fitting service for tow bars otherwise I would certainly have booked it with him.

When I fitted my Amazon towbar to the car, many years ago, I seem to remember that there were pre drilled and tapped holes on either side of the semi chassis and if there are a number of holes drilled on the towbar near the tow ball, then there is also a number of holes on the body that marry up with them. They are smaller bolts. Only going from memory and sorry cannot help with wiring info.

123GT-AMAZON · Dec 8th, 2016, 22:01

Hi ya ,

As your local to me and a fellow 123GT owner if you get stuck bring your car & towbar over with electrics and i will fit it free of charge as a way to welcome you into fellow Amazon motoring would be good to meet and chat anyways with a like minded person naturally anyway you want to help while over at the workshop feel free or watch me and chat .
Its a open offer anytime drop me a line .

Kind regards
Robert.w

bayliss Thomas · Dec 8th, 2016, 22:23

Thank you Robert that is an extremely generous offer. I will pm you

bayliss Thomas · Jan 21st, 2017, 14:46

As a closure to this thread, many thanks to Robert 123-Amazon gt for helping me out by fitting the tow bar to my car. I didn't feel I would want to entrust a 'specialist' to butcher my car and Robert has of course skill in abundance, amply. demonstrated to fit the item and electrics perfectly.
Also fitted a new ignition barrel for me, whilst this showed that my car battery has deceased!!
Thank you Robert, I will be in touch to arrange other work needed to my car in due course as our chat yesterday.

Dec 7th, 2016, 15:37	#1
bayliss Thomas Member Last Online: Aug 12th, 2020 14:11 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Bury st Edmunds	Tow bar fitting Recently received my tow bar assembly from AmazonCars, it is the tow bar that is specifically made to fit my car (123gt). My question is how simple or difficult are these things to fit to the car? Are there bolt sockets already installed in the car chassis? Also no electric came with my tow bar so need to purchase separately, easy or difficult to do electrics, I guess the wires would need to be spliced in? Thanks for any advise and help. If it comes up beyond my limited capabilities I will have to book it in somewhere for the work to be done.

Dec 7th, 2016, 17:20	#2
Volvo_133 VOC member Last Online: Apr 26th, 2024 10:03 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Sheffield	towbar As you have suggested it is down to capabilities. Amazon bodies do not have the captive nuts like a modern car. My references from here on relate to the type I fitted, which is the swan neck type which does not require the chrome bumper drilling. There are brackets to the towbar which simply share the bumper iron fixings. These bolts may be seized up, you will need slightly longer bolts which may have come with towbar kit. There are fixings which need drilling, at the rear to the side of the petrol tank filler tube. There are more fixings which require drilling under the rear seat base. The wiring (for the 7 pin) is just a splicing job as you have suggested. If you start by securing towbar to the bumper irons, this will "line up" the other locations and give you the positions to drill. With a good rechargeable drill and some bits, you will only be drilling the thin body metal. Remember to disconnect the battery before splicing in the wiring.

Dec 8th, 2016, 14:32	#3
classicswede Trader Volvo in my veins Last Online: Apr 26th, 2024 23:53 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Anglesey	That about covers it. If you have the type that goes through the bumper then you need to drill through the bumper. I do not like that type as they are not as strong, the swan neck is the best option __________________ http://www.classicswede.org www.classicswede.co.uk

Dec 8th, 2016, 22:01	#8
123GT-AMAZON 1800necwinner Last Online: Today 12:07 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: East Anglia ,Suffolk , uk	Hi ya , As your local to me and a fellow 123GT owner if you get stuck bring your car & towbar over with electrics and i will fit it free of charge as a way to welcome you into fellow Amazon motoring would be good to meet and chat anyways with a like minded person naturally anyway you want to help while over at the workshop feel free or watch me and chat . Its a open offer anytime drop me a line . Kind regards Robert.w __________________ I grew up on classic volvos hence my passion for them born and breed into the lifestyle !

Dec 8th, 2016, 16:34	#4
bayliss Thomas Member Last Online: Aug 12th, 2020 14:11 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Bury st Edmunds	Thank you guys, enough information there to pursuade me to take the car to a tow bar fitters shop. The tow bar I have is the fixed swan neck type made specifically for the Amazon. Very expensive but a quality item, it deserves to be fitted to a high standard which is beyond my capability I think. Thanks again.

Dec 8th, 2016, 18:47	#5
Derek UK VOC Member Last Online: Yesterday 23:46 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chatham	Seeing as you bought it from Rob it might have been a good idea for him to fit it as part of the deal. You're not far from him and he will have more experience with this fitting than any "specialist".

Dec 8th, 2016, 22:23	#9
bayliss Thomas Member Last Online: Aug 12th, 2020 14:11 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Bury st Edmunds	Thank you Robert that is an extremely generous offer. I will pm you

Jan 21st, 2017, 14:46	#10
bayliss Thomas Member Last Online: Aug 12th, 2020 14:11 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Bury st Edmunds	As a closure to this thread, many thanks to Robert 123-Amazon gt for helping me out by fitting the tow bar to my car. I didn't feel I would want to entrust a 'specialist' to butcher my car and Robert has of course skill in abundance, amply. demonstrated to fit the item and electrics perfectly. Also fitted a new ignition barrel for me, whilst this showed that my car battery has deceased!! Thank you Robert, I will be in touch to arrange other work needed to my car in due course as our chat yesterday.

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