Towbars... Series Ii

[Andmcit]

On the V6 there may just be enough space for that spanner to drop but never
see the light of day again!!

Andrew

[DoubleChevron]

Well I mucked it up too see how this would work....

This is the only option unless I build one from scratch using the factory towbar as a template...







I'll run two braces both sides upto the main hatch cross-members, having the towbar exposed like this is the only option, even then I need to cut the back of the tongue off and weld/bolt it on with one bolt, otherwise I can't drop the spare wheel. This would be so simple if they put that damn spare where it should be in a proper big cit :evil:

seeya,
Shane L.

[Andmcit]

Shane, just thinking; what's stopping the main cantilever bar twisting and swinging upwards
in an arc catching your nicely painted bumper? Two mountings along each longitudinal 'leg'
aren't going to be wide enough apart...

The general arrangement is similar to aftermarket one's made by Witter etc but IIRC these
have an extrta mounting from the centre of the cross bar as a tongue joined up to the boot
floor.

Andrew

[DoubleChevron]

I'm going to weld two big braces off it upto the main hatch crossmembers.... It's 8mm plate steel going back under the car from the crossbar itself. I might use 5mm plate steel for the bracing upto the main crossmembers. I don't trust the brackets that the standard towbar mounts too ! You know just like the CX towbar works, braces upto the main boot floor crossmembers

I'm just getting it right now, so it fits around the bumper, exhaust and that damn spare tire ... What a stupid bloody spot for a spare tire

seeya,
Shane L.

[Andmcit]

Guess you could make the attached additional supports up to the crossmember easier
by hiding the main aftermarket cross bar BEHIND your bumper. Mind that'd mean
chopping chunks out of it...

well, that's how the pukka Citroen bar fits behind the bumper taking a small circular bite
out of the lower apron.

Andrew

[DoubleChevron]

I have the 8mm plate going straight back about 30cm behind the bumpers, so one brace will got straight up behind the bumper (over the bit bracket the factory towbar bolts to) all the way upto the crossmember, bolted through the bracket, and the crossmember at the top.

The other brace will run at an angle back to the chassis crossmembers further back. It should be very strong... Infact much stronger than the factory setup !

seeya,
Shane L.

[DoubleChevron]

Hi Guys,

well it's a fiddly b@stard, but we won't let that put us off....









Plenty strong enough, it bolts to those light weight brackets the factory towbar bolts too, and the 4 legs go up and bolt to the main chassis rails under the boot. I don't think it's mounting will bend or brake in a hurry :b2: I will not be able to change to tongue or remove it as I had to cut the rear half of it off, and weld the sucker on otherwise the spare wheel would be trapped.

For the $70 it's cost in materials, it'll be plenty good enough

Just need to paint it now, and i'm done !

seeya,
Shane L.

[DoubleChevron]

Ok finally I got this bolted together. I still need to wire the plug up, but that can come later !





Look at the clearance for everything. There is about 1mm between the exhaust tip and the spare wheel just scrapes against the towbar as you lift it. :eek:



The big brackets are what the factory towbar bolts too. I have also run the legs upto the chassis box members where the bracket gussets attach (so there is more metal thickness) and bolted there as well. If the towbar goes anywhere, the back of the car should go with it :roflmao: