Fiat 500 Dinghy Conversion June 07, 2015, 10:20:27 am Yahoo Message Number: 153182Before we take off on our next adventure, we want to install the towing set-up on our Fiat 500. Has anyone installed the base plate on one of the new Fiat's? Interested in how difficult it was. Also, while on the subject, looking for advice on tow bar recommendation.Thanks in advance,Don
Re: Fiat 500 Dinghy Conversion Reply #1 – June 07, 2015, 12:42:37 pm Yahoo Message Number: 153184Regarding the Tow Bar recommendation I think you would have a hard time finding something better than the Roadmaster Sterling Aluminum setup. However it's probably overkill for your Fiat. I use one to tow my Jeep Cherokee and it works great. Blue Ox makes nice tow bar setups but I have never used them.bobmoore14
Re: Fiat 500 Dinghy Conversion Reply #2 – June 08, 2015, 10:14:54 am Yahoo Message Number: 153191I would limit my choices to either Roadmaster or Blue Ox. First select the base plate that you want from one of these two companies and have it installed on the Fiat. Pick the base plate that you think will look best on the Fiat when it is not being towed. For a specific vehicle many of the Roadmaster base plates have a lot more parts (that should be locked together) than does the Blue Ox base plate. For most toad's selecting the base plate is independent of the tow bar selection. Both Blue Ox and Roadmaster have models of their tow bars with "feet" to match the other guy's base plates. As an example my Jeep Cherokee has a Blue Ox base plate. I have towed it over 170K miles with a Roadmaster Sterling tow bar. I selected the Blue Ox base plate because I liked the design and how it fit on the Jeep. Also, it had no removable parts. I decided on the Roadmaster Sterling because of the "cable tunnels" it has on its arms.Doug Baker
Re: Fiat 500 Dinghy Conversion Reply #3 – June 08, 2015, 10:23:49 am Yahoo Message Number: 153193Another thing to consider is the attach height of the baseplate. All receiver-mounted towbars have about the same attach height - the height of the center of the receiver - and you want to have that match closely the baseplate attachment. Check installation instructions for the baseplates and see where the attachment points emerge for your vehicle. If there is a big mismatch, you will need a drop receiver, which adds weight and length and ground-outs.Steve
Re: Fiat 500 Dinghy Conversion Reply #4 – June 08, 2015, 11:05:45 am Yahoo Message Number: 153197We have towed a Fiat 500 since 2012. A Blue Ox system was installed by Mohave Hitch in Lake Havasu Ciity, AZ. At 2500 lbs the best toad I have ever owned. 1 Likes
Re: Fiat 500 Dinghy Conversion Reply #5 – June 08, 2015, 11:55:52 pm Yahoo Message Number: 153202Thanks! Good to hear.Don
Re: Fiat 500 Dinghy Conversion Reply #6 – June 08, 2015, 11:58:42 pm Yahoo Message Number: 153203Thanks, weight won't be an issue, we had a massive trailer hitch system fabricated and installed. Just came home from towing our 4,600Lb+ sailboat over 5,000 miles.Don
Topic: Fiat 500 Dinghy Conversion (Read 25 times)
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Topic: Fiat 500 Dinghy Conversion (Read 25 times)
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