Will the bumper brackets on a 98 malibe support the weight og towing it with towbar behind an rv/trk or do i have to buy a base plate.im trying to keep costs down

have to know the maker of vehicle

this information is in the glove box owners book

light weight or heavy duty towbar
will be on tag on tow bar fitted to vehicle

rarely see anything over 1800 kg at tow ball

you will have two tow weights capacities

unbreaked trailer and braked trailer

best place to go to is a tow bar fitting shop/ trailer shop for this.

with a towbar.

there is a standard tow bar and a 2000kg for genuine tow bars
you need to remove both tail lights,the bumper bar and reinforcement bracket, spare wheel and exhaust hangars on rear mufflers, remove the tie down bracket on LHS chassis rail(dont need this or the bolts that hold it on), so you can then bolt in place either of the 2 tow bars.
genuine wiring patch harness for trailer plug is my suggestion since its plug straight into vehicle and interfaces with vehicle, goes in right hand rear compartment remove lid then remove box, interface connector for trailer harness is there.
instructions can be printed out from dealers if you ask
some new kits dont come with instructions in kits because information is on dealer computers
there is a template to print out to cut hole in bumper bar for tounge area of tow bar, uses centre square dimple in bar but its a bit wider.

Hi there, the wiring sequence that I have is for the UK, I dont know where you are but I hope this helps
pin 1 Yellow L/H direction Indicator (turn Lamp)
pin 2 Blue Rear Fog Lamps
pin 3 White Earth Return
pin 4 Green R/H direction indicator (turn Lamp)
pin 5 Brown R/H Tail Lamp & No. Plate Lamp
pin 6 Red Stop Lamps
pin 7 Black L/H Tail Lamp & No. Plate lamp

you will have to trace the wires from the wiring loom and light clusters off the car to splice in the towbar wires which is quite easy, the chassis should have location points for the bracket, just make sure that the tow hitch is central and not obscuring the number/license plate..
Good Luck.

Pop the Hatchback open and remove the connectors
from the top of the bumper cover.

Optional Step: Using a Floor Jack, raise both sides
of the car in the back, supporting both sides with
jack stands, and remove the rear wheels.

Using Torx Bits, remove the inner rear wheel well
lining.

Get behind the rear wheel well and loosen the bolts
holding the bumper brackets on. They're pretty
difficult to find and remove. Be Patient. Do the
same to the other side.

Remove the rear bumper cover by pulling the cover
outward from the part nearest the wheel on both
sides. Once removed, take off the 2 black mounting
brackets from the bumper cover.

First I'm sure that a Festiva should probably only be towing body weight, But if you want to hook up a wiring loom for towing I would suggest buying a 4 lug loom from a auto store, then I would get a chilton or haynes manual to get the wiring diagram (or internet) then wire it up with **** connectors and electrical tape.

If it is automatic then would suggest no doing this. When towing with rear wheels trailing the driveshaft is still turning the tailshaft of transmission,< rear wheel drive > and without motor running the transmission doesn't circulate fluid to cool it off. if it is the only way to move it for you without a trailor then it's best to remove driveshaft and use a car dolly to tow. If it is standard then driveshaft is not does'nt have to be removed. Either way a dolly is what you need to tow it, < towbar won't work > and old school chain or strap can damage fron bumper shell.

are you wanting to install a trailer hitch behind the volvo to tow the van?

tow bar mounts directly to chasis or the front bumper steering wheel locked in place