Technical Tow bar for 4x4

[Alan D L]

Hi all, does anyone have any idea what the differences are between tow bars for a standard Panda (2014) and a 4x4 Panda? I ordered a tow bar for my 2014 4x4 but they sent one for a standard Panda and the literature suggests it is not for the 4x4. I’m wondering how different they are. Ta

 

[Panda IIs]

I've fitted a Westphalia towbar to my 4x4, I believe they are different for the 4x4 to accommodate the rear differential and exhaust box.

 

[Alan D L]

I've fitted a Westphalia towbar to my 4x4, I believe they are different for the 4x4 to accommodate the rear differential and exhaust box.

That makes sense.

 

[Panda IIs]

That makes sense.

I did this job a while ago but I think the towbar bolts to the "chassis" rails at the back. You certainly have to delete the rear bumper crash bar and there's a cut to be made in the bumper.

 

[Alan D L]

I did this job a while ago but I think the towbar bolts to the "chassis" rails at the back. You certainly have to delete the rear bumper crash bar and there's a cut to be made in the bumper.

I think I’ll take off the bumper and have a noodle around and see what shape it’s in anyway. Something tells me I’ll be buying another tow bar

 

[WitleyPanda]

Not sure exhaust and diff an issue as mounts to the sides, not boot floor. However the 4x4 fractionally higher so if they aim for same nominal hitch height, they the neck from cross member to ball plate may vary.

 

[Panda IIs]

Not sure exhaust and diff an issue as mounts to the sides, not boot floor. However the 4x4 fractionally higher so if they aim for same nominal hitch height, they the neck from cross member to ball plate may vary.

Ah, that rings a bell (too). Mine has the removable ball hitch so feasible that the height difference is accommodated here? Side by side comparison required! The bumper cut outs will be different as the bumpers are different.

 

[Alan D L]

I have just had a look and can see no reason why it shouldn’t fit. I’ll take pics as I go if anyone is interested and report back. Thanks for the replies.

 

[Panda IIs]

I have just had a look and can see no reason why it shouldn’t fit. I’ll take pics as I go if anyone is interested and report back. Thanks for the replies.

Definitely interested

 

[roverp480]

If the type approval for the hitch doesnt match the vehicle , could not there we an insurance risk in the event of a claim ?

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

So far as I can tell (having looked for a while, planning to fit one to my 4x4 but then buying a 2013 Defender to tow with) the primary difference us the position the lowball ends up in, given the back of the 4x4 sits 50mm higher off the ground than a regular Panda. Also the two ‘arms’ that secure to the longitudinal ’chassis rails’ are shorter on the 4x4 tow bar owing to the rear silencer and diff being ‘in the way’.

 

[The Panda Nut]

It may well fit but the bumper will require a lot of cutting. Difference in the bar is the drop of the ball carrier bracket to get under the bumper. The bar fits into the the chassis sections and had cross bolts. The cross piece uses the crash beam studs to hold it. Warning dont over tighten these nuts. There are instructions in the downloads section for fitting a 4x4 tow bar.

 

[Andrew Harvey]

What is the thickness of the Cross 4x4 bumper skin that i need to fut away?
I'm looking to buy grommet strip to tidy the cut in bumper when fitting the towbar.
Id measure it myself but it's 1500 miles away

 

[Panda IIs]

What is the thickness of the Cross 4x4 bumper skin that i need to fut away?
I'm looking to buy grommet strip to tidy the cut in bumper when fitting the towbar.
Id measure it myself but it's 1500 miles away

Possibly not that straightforward as it has that faux metal skid plate which makes it double skin from memory of doing mine?