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car trailer towbars

Single 7 Pin 

Socket Types

 

Twin 7 Pin 

13 Pin 

7 Pin Towbar Electrics
7 Pin 12 S Electrics
13 Pin Trailer Socket

Most commonly used for towing trailers before 2012, or for use with the majority of cycle carriers. 7 pin electrics may also be suitable for caravan (pre-2009) if the internal electrics don’t need to be active and battery doesn’t need charging.

When towing a caravan (pre-2009), twin electrics add the functionality to make sure that the fridge runs efficiently and to charge the caravan battery while travelling.

Used mainly on more modern caravans (post 2009) and new trailers (post 2012) the 13 pin connections allows you to operate a reversing light, but this also allows you to use your internal caravan electrics i.e. fridge, internal lights and charging the battery.

TOW BAR ELECTRICS
 

There are 3 different types of electrics available with your Towbar, the type you require will depend on what you are going to tow.
 

SINGLE ELECTRICS (12N)
 

This will provide power from the towing vehicle via the socket to the lights on your trailer or caravan. If you are only going to be towing a trailer this type of electrics is all you will need.

You can tow a caravan using only single electrics, but only the exterior lights will function there will be no power going to the fridge or any other electrical appliance in the caravan.

If you will only be using the towbar for a cycle carrier you will only need single electrics to power the lights on the carrier or a lighting board.

 

TWIN ELECTRICS (12N/12S)
 

You will only require twin electrics if you are planning to tow a caravan, this will operate the caravan lights and also provide supplementary power to the caravan for the fridge, interior lights and any other electrical appliance.

This kit will provide you with two sockets at the rear and is suitable for most caravans manufactured before 2008 prior to the introduction of the 13 pin systems.

 

13 PIN ELECTRICS
 

13 pin electrics are standard in most other European countries and they are slowly replacing the 2 separate sockets that have traditionally been fitted in the UK. The 13 pin socket performs the same function as two 7 pin sockets but has a single 13 pin socket. Most caravans manufactured after 2008 are fitted with 13 pin electrics.

This type of connection is becoming more popular because it operates all the necessary lights on the caravan or trailer and also allows you to have the supplementary power for a fridge etc from a single socket connector on the vehicle.

13 pin sockets are also used on some vehicles especially with detachable towbars when there isn't enough room to mount two separate sockets.

 

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Historically the electrical connections for a towbar used to be taken directly from a feed behind the rear lights, however in today’s modern vehicles this is not possible as it interferes with the on board computer systems. There are now two ways that the towing electrics can be fitted to modern cars.

 

UNIVERSAL WIRING OR (7 WAY BY-PASS AS ITS KNOWN IN THE TRADE)
 

UNIVERSAL WIRING IS WHERE A 7 WAY BY-PASS RELAY IS FITTED BETWEEN THE TOWING SOCKET AND THE WIRING LOOM OF THE VEHICLE
 

  • Protects the car from any possible damage caused by electrical faults in the trailer or caravan.

  • Excludes the towing socket from the vehicles bulb failure system

  • Sends a signal to either a buzzer or light on the dashboard to indicate that the trailer / caravan indicators are working.

  • Suitable if vehicle is not equipped with safety features such as parking sensors, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) or Trailer Stability Program (T-ESP)

  • Does not communicate with your vehicles on board computer.

  • Can invalidate your vehicles warranty.

  • Does not fit into any existing socket in your vehicle so will have to be spliced into the wiring loom.


DEDICATED WIRING KITS OR VSK (VEHICLE SPECIFIC KITS AS THEY ARE KNOWN IN THE TRADE)
 

  • Plugs into existing socket on the vehicle in accordance with the vehicle manufacturers recommendations.

  • Communicates with your vehicles computer system, so that it knows it is towing, as soon as your trailer / caravan are connected to the electrical socket.

  • Activates Trailer Stability Program (T-ESP) if fitted to vehicle.

  • Cuts out parking sensors and fog lights when towing.

  • Will not affect the warranty on your vehicle.

  • Manufacturers and insurance companies are now insisting that these wiring looms are always fitted.

  • Due to the complex nature of theses kits they can cost between £25.00 and £250.00 on top of the cost of the towbar.


WHICH WIRING SOLUTION SHOULD I CHOOSE?
 

If available we would always recommend you choose a dedicated wiring kit as it will communicate with the following systems on your vehicle whilst you are towing (vehicle dependant)
 

  • Brake electronics

  • Suspension system (ASS)

  • Electronic Stability Program (ESP)

  • Engine electronics

  • Engine cooling system

  • Cruise control

  • Parking aids

  • Reversing camera

  • Lane change assistant

     

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