Towbar fitting to my 88 Rascal Van

[milkanbeans]

First things first, take off the rear bumper, 4 screw's holding along the top,one either side that also holds on the fog light or two fog lights if you are greedy like me and have one either side, and 2 nuts at the back of the bumper ,no nuts on mine and one bold had sheired off(thanks Dellboy) then remove the two square black plastic coverplates.



Offer up the towbar (with the upright pieces removed) to the back of the van and hold in position with a clamp or axle stand and mark where 1st hole is to be drilled, drill the hole.





Bolt this side on loosely to help mark the hole for the other side, mark and drill the hole for the other side and bolt on this loosely.



Fix the side uprights back onto the towbar while it is loosely fitted, make sure that the right angled part of the upright points into the van and then you will be drilling into a flat part of the van floor not a raised part, I used a mini drill to get up into the back of the wheel arch to drill these pilot holes, once the pilot holes are drilled you can in large them to the size of the bolts you are using.





I replaced all the nuts and bolts that came with my towbar for stainless steel and locknuts.

All nuts and bolts can then be tightened at this stage,replace the square black coverplates ,I made sure that I cable tied the cable for the electrics to the top of the towbar as the exhaust is quite close to the bottom of the towbar and I did`nt want the cable melting.

There was a small bracket on the drivers side of the towbar( I need to make another for the other side on mine) to fit the fog light to as it will not fit on to the normal place after fitting the towbar.





All simple and straight forward really, putting the bumper back on is a bit of a tight squeeze but give it a push and on it goes, there is a little plastic nipple on the bottom of the bumper ,part of the moulding I think, If you slice it of with a sharp knife the bumper fits down a bit better, screw the bumper back into place and Bob`s your uncle.




I have not connected the electrics yet but have included these wiring details.



If you are thinking of fitting this type of Towbar to a Rascal Van I hope this is of some help

[>>CHOP<<]

First class tony...if ever HAYNES are recruiting i will put you forward...well put together..

[milkanbeans]

Hey thanks Chop

[Dell Boy]

Only thing Tony failed to mention is how difficult it is to remove a rear bumper after 20 years of the nuts,bolts & screws being covered in road gunge & salt. He was fortunate that I had recently removed it so it came off with ease unlike when I removed it. Derek.

[Richard]

Fantastic guide, if I knew this when I fitted mine it would have saved Dellboy giving stage by stage instructions over the phone, one thing I would add is that once fitted your spare wheel no longer fits in the carrier under the van, or at least it does not on mine!

[Rascal Turbo]

My rascal had a tow bar fitted from new , there  was plenty of space left for the spare wheel .....
i guess they were factory fit parts.

[dan_gsy]

Thanks for the guide! Now my only problem is where to buy one. Have tried the normal suspects of Halfords etc, but they only seem to have them for the new-shape Carry. Does anyone know where I can get one? Cheers!

[Smithy]

Thanks for the guide! Now my only problem is where to buy one. Have tried the normal suspects of Halfords etc, but they only seem to have them for the new-shape Carry. Does anyone know where I can get one? Cheers!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vauxhall-Rascal-Van-1986-1993-Tow-Bar-/110743789766?pt=UK_Car_Accessories_Touring_Travel&hash=item19c8d820c6