Technical Trailer hitch instalation

[Ae270606]

Hello,
I have bought a trailer hitch for my fiat 500e laprima 2020. I am going to use it to tow something small om private property. I would also use it for a bike rack. Does anyone have experience with the wiring of the socket? I cannot find any diagrams of where to connect to or what wires go to the back lights.

Thanks!

 

[Maybemaybenot]

Hi. The 500e isn’t approved for any towing.

 

[Ae270606]

Hi. The 500e isn’t approved for any towing.

I know. That doesn’t mean that it cant tow a bike rack. If it passes inspection, that i am insured with the hitch. I just need the wiring diagrams. Thanks for your fast response!

 

[RalphM]

It's possible that if you splice it in the electronics will take exception and cause problems
maybe a kit like this that are usually plug and play would be a better but more expensive
bet

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/26710117...mkcid=28&google_free_listing_action=view_item

 

[Maybemaybenot]

I know. That doesn’t mean that it cant tow a bike rack. If it passes inspection, that i am insured with the hitch. I just need the wiring diagrams. Thanks for your fast response!

If the car isn’t approved for a tow bar your insurance will most likely be void. Been down this route with mine two years ago.

 

[Ae270606]

If the car isn’t approved for a tow bar your insurance will most likely be void. Been down this route with mine two years ago.

I mean i wont tow anything on public roads, i have a big RV that fits my fiat in the back. I tow my boat behind it and if i am at the campsite, i want to move my boat trailer with my fiat

 

[IanML]

If that kit is Euro-approved, your insurers will probably accept it, but it would be good to ask in advance. If it isn't Euro-approved, I wouldn't bother to ask - just don't do it.

 

[Maybemaybenot]

If that kit is Euro-approved, your insurers will probably accept it, but it would be good to ask in advance. If it isn't Euro-approved, I wouldn't bother to ask - just don't do it.

Doubt it’ll matter either way as the manual specifically says the car isn’t approved for a tow bar.

 

[The Panda Nut]

If not towing, why wire lights. A multiway relay might work but there are no guarantees. This takes power from the battery direct. How you safely do this on an EV I dont know. What effect on the 12v system I dont know. I CANNOT SEE HOW YOU HAVE A COMPATIBLE TOWBAR AS NONE ARE APPROVED. A 500 bar will probably not fit. Proceed with extreme caution.

 

[Maybemaybenot]

If not towing, why wire lights. A multiway relay might work but there are no guarantees. This takes power from the battery direct. How you safely do this on an EV I dont know. What effect on the 12v system I dont know. I CANNOT SEE HOW YOU HAVE A COMPATIBLE TOWBAR AS NONE ARE APPROVED. A 500 bar will probably not fit. Proceed with extreme caution.

I’ve not looked for ages but when I got mine I had a look under and it seemed like there was nowhere that one would attach. A lot under there is previous 500 but axle backwards there’s not a lot of anything.

 

[Ae270606]

I’ve not looked for ages but when I got mine I had a look under and it seemed like there was nowhere that one would attach. A lot under there is previous 500 but axle backwards there’s not a lot of anything.

I already have the hitch that should fit. I will look into it and update you guys if it fits. I bought it on ebay

 

[The Panda Nut]

I already have the hitch that should fit. I will look into it and update you guys if it fits. I bought it on ebay

Good luck. Have a look in Panda downloads. I can PM some how to details if you like for a 7way relay for a Panda. It ought to be similar

 

[superkikim]

At least in Europe, it is qualified for a bike rack exclusively.

An hypothesis made by the car dealer is it might be related to the fact the battery pack is involved in the chassis rigidity, and towing might put to much constrains on it.

 

[The Panda Nut]

EV's not generally approved for towing, too many range issues and cooling considerations. Check carefully before making alterations. IN UK it would fail its annual test! Power would be ample but there is more to it.

 

[Maybemaybenot]

At least in Europe, it is qualified for a bike rack exclusively.

An hypothesis made by the car dealer is it might be related to the fact the battery pack is involved in the chassis rigidity, and towing might put to much constrains on it.

Sure about that? It wasn’t at launch.

 

[superkikim]

Sure about that? It wasn’t at launch.

According to the car dealer and all hitch dealers yes. Fiat and Mopar don't provide it but you can find it in many stores with the specification saying it's only for bike rack (static charge at 60kg).

That said I wouldn't play with that and tow even on a private location. Towing a boat man you'll most probably launch it with the fiat witch mean you will be on a ramp what will put constrains on the hitch...

 

[Maybemaybenot]

According to the car dealer and all hitch dealers yes. Fiat and Mopar don't provide it but you can find it in many stores with the specification saying it's only for bike rack (static charge at 60kg).

That said I would play with that and tow even on a private location. Towing a boat man you'll most probably launch it with the fiat witch mean you will be on a ramp what will put constrains on the hitch...

That’s because Fiat specifically prohibits fitting a tow bar.

 

[superkikim]

That’s because Fiat specifically prohibits fitting a tow bar.

Note that my car dealer IS a FIAT dealer. And he already installed one. But as I said: specifically limited to bike racks with 60kg max load on the hitch. That is very specific and there must be a good reason for that.

 

[The Panda Nut]

Nora that my car dealer IS a FIAT dealer. And he already installed one. But as I said: specifically limited to bike racks with 60kg max load on the hitch. That is very specific and there must be a good reason for that.

Most towbars fitted to cars have a 60kg hitch limit. This sounds like a towbar for towing. Its a normal figure for caravan towing. The main issue in fiting if you absolutely decide to do so, will be absence of towing bracket attchement points. On an e500 there just will not be any if its never designed to tow. In the EU all cars that can tow are approved and homologated for this. All towing brackets must now fit on approved mountings fitted by the manufacturer. No drilling is required anymore. I cant see any reason why you cannot make and fit a bike carrier, and drill to fix as required, but I would NOT fit a towbar as it is now a grey area. I have fitted dozens of towbars to different cars over many years, and see some really rough home made bars too. DIY towbars are not a good idea. You can cause all sorts of damage very very easily. As with all things legal nothing is easy and you have to remember that once a towbar is fitted you, or anyone else CAN tow anything that will attach on the road. The law is almost certainly against doing this and hence the quandry. If you fit something, make it removable so when you are on the road it can be entirely removed would be my suggestion. Keep it in the RV then you should be safe, or get a . , an all round better car capable of towing.... albeit not a lot (officially). The last thing you want is for a zealous policeman to start being difficult. It could endup getting expensive. Do your research and ask the police traffic division and your insurance for advice, also try a call to the Caravan Club (East Grinstead) who are usually very helpful on things towing.

 

[Ae270606]

UPDATE i installed the hitch, and made the electrical with a 6 way relay and fuse box.
Works like a dream, enjoy the pictures and thanks for the help