Hi all, were towbars ever fitted to Unos?
Just got a 1.7D, would be really good if I could tow with it!
Cheers.
Just got a 1.7D, would be really good if I could tow with it!
Cheers.
Technical Tow Bar?
- Thread starter edessex
- Start date
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Technical Tow Bar?
http://www.towequipe.co.uk/1/1/177174-ecco-flange-towbar-fiat-uno-83-95-ft2156a.html
It has been done, though somewhat pointless with a small engined model as you'll knacker the engine with the extra weight.
It has been done, though somewhat pointless with a small engined model as you'll knacker the engine with the extra weight.
both my turbos came with towbars, for what i have no idea, although tippex was used to haul a small trailer with a jetski on by the previous owner. first thing i removed, takes 20 odd kilos off the back end.
OP
OP
Only really after one to help with dump runs, got a small trailer made from a trailer-tent, the 1.7TD Astra pulled it well, I know the astra is bigger and had a turbo, but doubt the Uno would have an issue towing it.
Jai - Don't supoosed you still have the one you removed do you?
Jai - Don't supoosed you still have the one you removed do you?
held on to both for ages, ads etc, no takers, so were binned, sorry fella
I did notice, so wasn't particularly directing at edessex, but more to other people coming here and (hopefully) searching and finding this thread.
I'm sure I've seen a thread where someone wants to put a tow bar on a 1.0 i.e. Start
I once towed a Bedford CF 350 refrigerated luton van with my 92 1.0 Spark...
I also had an elderly couple tow my fully loaded Ford Cargo 0815 26` lorry out of a muddy field (was axle deep) in a 60`s SWB Land Rover in Wales!
its all about technique!
I also had an elderly couple tow my fully loaded Ford Cargo 0815 26` lorry out of a muddy field (was axle deep) in a 60`s SWB Land Rover in Wales!
its all about technique!
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I have fitted Tow bars to Unos before. My current 999cc Uno Fire has a tow bar which I purchased of Trademe for NZ$1 (about 55p). Its great for towing a light trailer (5' x 4') or for a bike rack.
Alex and I have however been a little more adventurous with using an Uno to tow. We once made a trip to Auckland to pickup a parts Uno using my 1300cc Uno as a towing vehicle. Needless to say it was nearly a disaster as at one point we needed all three lanes of the western motorway to bring the thing under control (lucky it was a quiet day with not much traffic).
We were also lucky that the local police were having an off day as I think it would have been pretty clear to any observer that the load we were towing was over the maximum load for the car (which I think is about 50% of the cars weight), not only was the car on the trailer the same model, it was even the same colour!!! One intelligent thing we did do was avoid the bombay hills, which for those who know them are rather steep downways.
Of course you would think we would have learnt our lesson but no, a year later we went to get another Uno, this time from Tauranga. We decided not to use the trailer on the Uno trick this time and instead I drove an Uno with non-working brakes back to Hamilton (over the Kaimai ranges). That was another interesting trip
Heres some photos:
Alex and I have however been a little more adventurous with using an Uno to tow. We once made a trip to Auckland to pickup a parts Uno using my 1300cc Uno as a towing vehicle. Needless to say it was nearly a disaster as at one point we needed all three lanes of the western motorway to bring the thing under control (lucky it was a quiet day with not much traffic).
We were also lucky that the local police were having an off day as I think it would have been pretty clear to any observer that the load we were towing was over the maximum load for the car (which I think is about 50% of the cars weight), not only was the car on the trailer the same model, it was even the same colour!!! One intelligent thing we did do was avoid the bombay hills, which for those who know them are rather steep downways.
Of course you would think we would have learnt our lesson but no, a year later we went to get another Uno, this time from Tauranga. We decided not to use the trailer on the Uno trick this time and instead I drove an Uno with non-working brakes back to Hamilton (over the Kaimai ranges). That was another interesting trip
Heres some photos:
Attachments
I once towed a 1980 2.0 litre mk5 Ford Cortina 20 miles with my first car, a 1979 mk1 Vauxhall Cavalier 1.3. With a tow rope as well. Bloody horrid journey that was!
I wondered if I needed to mention that Uno-towing experience again - happily I don't Thanks James!
-Alex
Thanks James!-Alex
OP
OP
Most of my towing experences have been with a land rover! Had some pretty iffy moments though... like people pulling out right infront of a 3 ton vehicle towing a 2.5 ton vehicle behind it on an a-frame... madness!
So where is my best bet for a cheap towbar?
Are the towing electrics easy on these? My astra had a bucnch of wires fixed into the loom in the boot as standard, ready for towing electrics... Do the Unos?
So where is my best bet for a cheap towbar?
Are the towing electrics easy on these? My astra had a bucnch of wires fixed into the loom in the boot as standard, ready for towing electrics... Do the Unos?
There's no wiring whatsoever as far as I know...
Best bet for a cheap towbar is either ebay, or just by googling..
Best bet for a cheap towbar is either ebay, or just by googling..
:yeahthat:
There's only the standard wiring to the rear lights/ wiper motor at the back, nothing more. To integrate a tow bar you would have to use a multimeter and dreaded Scotch Locks (bodge), or use some watchmakers screwdrivers to disassemble the multi-pin plugs, then solder in some new wires to the original connections. To finish the job off properly use some heat shrink on each wire and re-assemble to make it look like a factory job (non bodge!).
Or visit the local scrapyard and see if you can find one on another car that looks like it might fit :idea:
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I hate scotch locks so much
I find I'm too puny to close them and crimp the wires properly.
I find I'm too puny to close them and crimp the wires properly.
