DIY: How to wire up electrics on towbar (WITHOUT can bus wiring), easy

Showing how I connected the most common functions for towing a caravan.
Normal light,
Turning indicators, left, right
And Braking light..


Car: Toyota Previa -98, but same principle
for older cars, this is not for  can bus cars

Trailer / Towbar wiring

Installing a Trailer Hitch, tow bar on a Toyota Previa from 1998

This post is about mounting a Trailer Hitch on a Toyota Previa from 1998.

The Brand of towbar I choosed: G.D.W made in Belgium
GDW = I'm pleased with the quality, it was in my opinion the smartest construction.

I've made a 2 part video showing the removal of bumper and the installation process... and all the problems along the way. Hope you find it of interest. :-)


Towing capacity for this tow bar: 1600 kg which is also maximum cargo for hitch installed in Toyota Previa..
Max vertical load on hitch: 75 kg.

First removing the rear bumper, plenty of rust dissolver fluid used around the bolts and nuts.


The ends of the hitch is attached to the car frame with carriage bolts and blocks of steel with round holes. ... Bumber goes outside the hitch.

No mods were necessary except drilling one hole on the buffer metal frame that the plastic bumper sits on.

Biggest problem was rusty bolts, some were very hard stuck and I pulled some apart (read broke them)
Clean rusty parts, screwdriver and a wire brush.
Rust protection used: boiled linseed oil

Part 1:


Installing a Trailer Hitch, a towbar on a minivan, part 2