Festiva Tow Bar: Works for 1990-93 but not 1989's?...

[ajbremer]

I came across a tow bar that was made for Festivas and I have used it many times on 90 to 93 models over the years and it has worked perfectly. Now that I am trying to tow my just aquired 1989 Festiva, I noticed that the front 'tow-brackets' are different. The newer Festivas have 2 slots and the 1989 Festiva has only one slot - in the rear, that older Festiva doesn't even have slots, it just has a hooked shape bracket.

My Festiva tow bar uses two bolts on each side that go through each slot. I'm wondering if I can get away with hooking up my tow-bar in that 1989 using just the one slot. It might be flimsy but as long as it don't hit the ground I guess it would work...any one try this before? Also, one thing of importance: I didn't check to see if the width of the front brackets are the same between the early and late models.

[Movin]

Towed them all over here in Oregon. On the older ones I use a standard 1/2" washer inside that hole and two fender washers on each side, then I tighten until the bar has to be pushed up and down. I also use a longer bolt than necessary to store extra washers. I feel that a bolt that much longer takes a lot more wiggling to come loose. Others can vouch that I tow in some pretty crazy places. Mostly under 100 miles. Never had one come loose.
You be your own judge about what is safe for you.

[AlaskaFestivaGuy]

I've run into this difference on the rear brackets when trying to add good trailer hitches. See attached 88 and 93 photos. I presume 89 matches 88, but don't own any 89s presently to check.

I've never looked closely at front brackets.

[1990new]

Me 89 has the single hole.
Did not realize there were so changes made in 1990.

[lessersivad]

12/08/1988 is the build date on my '89.

It has the "new" style brackets.

[1990new]

12/08/1988 is the build date on my '89.

It has the "new" style brackets.

The build date on my 89 is 01/24/89. It's an L
Strange that yours has the new style brackets when my build date is later than yours. Is yours and LX?

[lessersivad]

The build date on my 89 is 01/24/89. It's an L
Strange that yours has the new style brackets when my build date is later than yours. Is yours and LX?

Mine is an "L".

Looks from your signature that it's a twin to mine. '89 L dark charcoal and automatic.

That is strange about yours with a later build date having the older style brackets.

I actually THOUGHT I was on to something posting the build date....LOL.

[scitzz]

If you have access to a later model, just swap them out.

Running around outside the asylum again with my tappy talky appy

[ricko1966]

I use the same tow bar on all of them using one bolt and a good safety chain,never had a problem. For what it is worth most of the tow. Are I have owned and used. just used one bolt or pin per side.Vw rabbit,Porsche. 914,Vw bug,Vw super beetle. With all of those using 1 per side I never even Considered 1 bolt per side a problem. As for a rear hitch I made mine if you need a pic or instructions let me know.

[sc72]

Put up some pic's it would be nice to see what you have made.