Tow hitch — certification status and installation

Tags: #towing · #legal · #part-number · #conflict

The X80 owner's manual states towing is NOT RECOMMENDED (not explicitly prohibited). The car is not certified for trailer use per the manufacturer's ID plate — the towing-load line is left blank. The AUPA (CVT/automatic) transmission is not rated for towing per some reports. Recommended load: under 200 kg of cargo, though practical users report carrying 200–300 kg periodically without issues ¹²³⁴.

Installation: the Sheriff model 3951.12 tow hitch is available aftermarket; installation requires cutting/modifying the gray plastic bumper cover — there is no OEM pre-drilled bumper mount, so the bumper must be removed for fitment ⁵⁶⁷.

Legal status in Russia: installing an unapproved tow hitch voids some warranties; traffic police may require inspection/certification. Some owners have installed one after the warranty period expired without issues ⁸⁹¹⁰.

Conflict: the manual says towing is NOT RECOMMENDED; some owners interpret this as "not prohibited" and install a hitch anyway. There is also a transmission debate — one user claims the AUPA transmission is not certified for towing, while another notes that American-market AUPA-equipped cars tow routinely. General recommendation from the thread: assume the unofficial mod voids warranty, and install at your own risk, ideally after the guarantee period ends ²⁷⁸.

Tow-hook installation — manual and automatic transmissions: a tow hook can be installed on both manual and automatic-transmission X80s. Installation takes roughly 2 hours: it requires removing the bumper and replacing the stock bumper reinforcer with the tow-hook unit; a coordination/adapter module must also be installed for the electrical connections (lights). Both manual and automatic owners report successful installs, though some recommend not towing heavy loads on the automatic ^1112131415.

Sheriff 3951.12 — capacity and suppliers: the Sheriff 3951.12 tow hitch for the FAW Besturn X80 offers 1.2-ton capacity. Available from multiple retailers including OZON (ozon.ru) and specialized tow-hitch (farkop) suppliers. Installation by the owner is feasible given basic mechanical ability ¹⁶¹⁷.

Sheriff 3951.12 — professional install confirmed: a Sheriff 3951.12 tow hitch was installed by a specialist installer (ES-FARKOP.RU, professional tow-hitch installation service) and confirmed as a fitting option for the X80 ¹⁸¹⁹²⁰.

⚠️ Conflict — does installation require bumper removal? A separate report describes the Sheriff 3951.12 fitting into the factory mounting points without modifying the vehicle body, with no bumper removal required — only unclipping the bumper's lower section — and states the supplier provided a factory certificate confirming no structural changes were made. This directly contradicts the installation note above (which describes cutting/modifying the bumper cover with no pre-drilled OEM mount). The discrepancy may reflect different hitch models, model years, or installer technique; verify with your specific kit/installer before assuming either method ^2122232425.

Tow hitch reduces ground clearance: an owner with a tow hitch installed reports less comfortable off-road driving due to reduced ground clearance — the vehicle scrapes on uneven terrain where it previously cleared without the hitch fitted. This is noted as a known trade-off of aftermarket hitch installation ²⁶.

Manufacturer's passport sheet for article 3951.12: the Russian passport sheet shared for the X80 hitch (тягово-сцепное устройство, ТСУ — towing hitch) lists a permitted total trailer mass of 1,200 kg, a vertical load on the ball (вертикальная нагрузка на шар) of 50 kg and a net weight of 16.07 kg, for cars built from 2013. The hitch is stated to comply with GOST 28248-89, OST 37.001.299-93 and TU 4591-001-64264699-2012, with a 12-month warranty from the date of sale ¹⁸. Its installation steps are: (1) remove the bumper; (2) trim the bumper to the cut diagram "Рис. А" (cut dimensions 60, 100 and 210 mm); (3) remove the bumper reinforcement (усилитель бампера); (4) install brackets "18"; (5) join brackets "17" and "16" to brackets "18"; (6) attach the bar (штанга) "1" to the brackets; (7) trim the bumper to fit; (8) fit the hook (крюк) and the socket box (подрозетник); (9) wire the electrical equipment ¹⁸. This sheet calls for removing and trimming the bumper, so it supports the first installation note above rather than the no-removal report ¹⁸.

Fastener torque from the same sheet: the parts list uses DIN bolts M8x30, M10x30, M12x1.25x40 and M12x1.25x70. Tightening torque by thread: M6x1.0 = 9.8 N·m; M8x1.25 = 24.0 N·m; M10x1.5 = 47.0 N·m; M12x1.75 = 81.0 N·m; M16x2 = 157.0 N·m. The table gives M12 as 1.75 pitch while the parts list uses M12x1.25 bolts, so check the pitch on the actual hardware before torquing ¹⁸.

Media

Owner's manual page stating towing is not recommended without special equipment

Rear of an orange/copper X80 Besturn showing a black ball-mount tow hitch installed under the rear bumper, with an "ES-FARKOP.RU — Установка фаркопов" installer branding plate on the license plate frame

Installed tow hitch on the FAW X80 showing ball and receiver

Tow-bar installation into factory mounting points; bumper not removed, only lower section unclipped

Tow-bar installation method, second angle showing factory mount

Tow-bar installation method, third angle

Tow-bar fully installed, bumper lower section reclipped in place

📎 Attachment: 744_3951.12.pdf — Manufacturer passport sheet for tow hitch 3951.12: installation steps, bumper cut diagram, parts list and torque table

Related pages

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Sources

This page is compiled from 26 community messages. Every fact carries a numbered reference to its original author and message.

Last updated: 2026-10-29