Hi all,

Sorry in advance for my English and this newbie post.

I did search but still didn't get the answers i was after, there r some posts on this subject but the links r all expired .

I'm after 2 bike tow bar cycle carrier for my Panda 100hp

Like this one.

But Im kinda lost on all the details, like.

Will I need single socket tow bar kit? Whats the 7 way bypass relay and will I need it? Does Panda has electric plug underneath the rear bumper? And the most important question, is there a 100hp specific tow bar?
I mean i went to fiat dealer, they told me to ring fiat accessories who in turn told me to go to the dealer. Both had no clue and couldn't help me at all.
Btw Im after detachable tow bar if I can get one to fit that is.
But only detachable tow bars I could find r only for normal Pandas.
Will the tow bar frame fit 100hp? if so then maybe I ll just have to cut rear bumper to fit detachable tow ball?

Who knew that getting tow bar would be soo hard
a whole month of searching and I feel like Im further from getting a tow bar fitted then when I've started.

Im not scared to use my dremmel btw

Thanks in advance for any help.

The socket you need will depend entirely on the cycle rack you fit. I would fully expect a std single socket to be fine but check the kits requirements.
I used a std universal 7 way relay. There is a factory kit at about £150 if you feel rich.
There is a plug underneath - it has nothing to do with a towbar.
I seriously doubt there'll be a 100hp specific bar and fully expect a std one to mount though as you say the bumper may need cutting. Mine is a std Panda and didn't need cutting. Simply measure the depth of your bumper versus a std one. If it sits lower expect to be cutting.
My towbar is non-detachable and cost £65 plus about £15 for the relay both via ebay. Fitting took about 2.5 hrs.

You need A 7way bypass relay, no safe / cheaper way around it. I'd be taking it to a perfessional to a fitted if I were you.

Whats a 7 way bypass repay then and what does it do? (sorry for a dumb question)

It takes a separate power feed to supply the current to the trailer socket. It is tied into the car's loom but doesn't draw power for the socket directly from the car's std wiring which in many cases will not cope or would throw a spanner in the car's electronics even if the wiring would cope. It's the separate feed that draws all the power.

7 way bypass relay.
It work by taking a signal from the tail lights, brake lights, indicators for the lighting board, but power comes from another source like the battery.

Most kits come with scotch locks to wire in to the appropriate wires, then you need to find a live feed to power it.
http://uk-trailer-parts.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/smart-relay-wiring-diagram2.jpg

I'm not sure about the Thule carrier, but some require a Flange tow bar to fit to (rather than a swan neck or detachable), so it's worth checking how they connect to the tow bar before you fit the wrong one!

these may help
https://www.fiatforum.com/panda/218387-panda-100hp-towbar.html
https://www.fiatforum.com/panda/107782-100hp-towbar.html

A Westfalia tow bar seems the route to go.

I use a Thule Bike Carrier on my Bravo, you should consider getting an extended neck towbar or a swan neck, ye bog standard one will not have the clearance for the carrier.
If your carrier is like mine you might want to get a 19mm ratchet ring spanner, it makes attachment/detachments a doddle
Here's my carrier

It allows the trailer socket to stay electrically independent from the cars lighting circuit. Protecting the cars wiring and body computer from short circuits and overloading it also stops the bulb out warning system from complaining

See grande punto guides section for more Info

wow, guys. Finally I feel like I'm actually getting somewhere with this.
Thanks a lot for all your advice, I'm so glad I found this forum.

Why not roof rails for carrying bikes?

The mounts are already in the roof, no messing around with cutting the bumper and sorting the electronics.

Quicker to remove, etc.

Coz my better half does mountain biking events all over country including nationals. 2-3 bikes on the roof of lil panda will add up to fuel consumption quite a bit. Plus she ll be going to some of them by her self and I think she might struggle to put bikes up on to the roof herself. But the main factor is - Im scared that she'll drive to one of them car parks with max height limit and rip the roof clean off

I'm not sure if bikes on the roof are much worse than bikes on the back (which would protrude a little either side, and disturb the airflow that way).

She could open the door and stand on the sill to reach up, but fair enough if she might forget they are on the roof.

I'm pretty sure they gonna create more drag when they r on the roof. Plus Panda been small narrow car u wouldn't want to have massive sails on a form of 2-3 bikes on ur roof while going 60-70mph on M25 on a windy day. Cant say I've experienced it 1st hand thou, could be fun.

Demi said:

I'm pretty sure they gonna create more drag when they r on the roof. Plus Panda been small narrow car u wouldn't want to have massive sails on a form of 2-3 bikes on ur roof while going 60-70mph on M25 on a windy day. Cant say I've experienced it 1st hand thou, could be fun.

Click to expand...

Try this combination, then you can talk about handling!
(Although, without all the extras, it can still be fun!)

I had a Westfalia removable tow bar fitted to my old Panda, and rated it so much that I had one fitted to my new one too ;-) (non 100hp). Be advised though that they're a lot more expensive than a fixed bar, and presumably heavier too.

I've towed boats, rubble, kayaks, sofas and motorcycles with mine (not all at once!). The Panda is a good little tow car IMO. Just make sure whatever you tow doesn't exceed the appropriate towing weight and hitch weight also.

Oh, make sure that whoever fits it doesnt break the trim panel that runs round the bottom of the bodyshell and up to the back of the rear seat around the rear door. I'm 2 for 2 at the moment The fitters try to bend them rather than undoing the bolt that holds the rear seat in place. The first one I didn't notice til many miles later, the second one I was eagle eyed when picking up the car. I noticed straight away that the panel had been 'fixed' with super glue - which they denied of course. Needless to say they were made to fit a new panel FOC. ;-)

Cheers.