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 Topic: Towbar Electrics
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26/8/2017 at 9:44pm
Location: wigan
Outfit: Compass Ralley GTE
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We have just purchased a 2 year old Ford Mondeo Estate and need to have a tow-bar fitted. Garages are asking do we want Universal wiring or Designated wiring....i.e Fords wiring.
As it's some years since we had one fitted we are hoping for some advice as to what to go for. Don't want to fall foul of the warranty.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Jo
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26/8/2017 at 9:53pm
Location: Midlands
Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram
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Depends if you have parking sensors and does the car have trailer stability etc and does it have bulb failure sensors?
If yes to any of the above you may want the dedicated wiring loom where the dealer can program the trailer circuit so that it disables the parking sensors and disables the cars rear fog light etc.
You may need a trip to a dealership with the dedicated loom.
The bypass relay option wont need to be programmed.
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26/8/2017 at 10:22pm
Location: Bolton
Outfit: Avondale Dart 510 5
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As Grampian says there is a difference see Here think I'd be asking what difference in price there is, sometimes a lot, sometimes a little, and what extra do you get for the the designated or sometimes called dedicated wiring then asking them if it affects the warranty should you choose a universal fitting.
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26/8/2017 at 10:35pm
Location: wigan
Outfit: Compass Ralley GTE
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Thanks Geoff
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27/8/2017 at 12:49am
Location: Lichfield
Outfit: Coachman Amara 450
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A 2 year old car will have a can-bus system (computerised network that relays meaasages in milliseconds) so you need a dedicated wiring loom to be compatible with the onboard computer system. The older twin black and grey sockets are now vintage and are only compatible with older vehicles. I had the older loom fitted trying to save money but unfortunately broke down 3 times in 12 months. In the end I had to exchange the towing wiring loom for a dedicated one so cost me more in the long run.
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27/8/2017 at 12:46pm
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I think you will be best going for dedicated electrics on a 2015 car.
This does push up the cost, I would guess for a Modeo you are looking at £450.
In this modern age, you would think that all the car makers would install the dedicated cabling terminated at the rear of the car with a std connector.
This would reduce the installation cost of a towbar by around £150.
The additional cost in production, would be minimal, although I guess it would be seen as a waste, as maybe less than 1% of cars ever have a towbar fitted.
I am told that Audi cars come pre-wired for towing electrics as std, so it can be done.
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29/8/2017 at 10:30pm
Location: wigan
Outfit: Compass Ralley GTE
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Car is booked in for tow bar and dedicated electrics on Tuesday 5th. Looking forward to going off after it's done.
Thanks for all your help
Jo x
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30/8/2017 at 8:52am
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Good move Jo, what's the damage comming to?
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30/8/2017 at 5:58pm
Location: DURHAM
Outfit: Mondeo TItanium 140 Avondale Mayfly 25
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Can-Bus Controlled Area Network on my Mk4 Mondeo although a little older than 2 years works quite well with the rear parking sensor`s with a bypass relay, also car rear fog lights can be switched off leaving caravan fog lights on by way of the relay, never had any problems at all in over 3 years towing with it
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06/9/2017 at 7:15pm
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£900 for the Ford dealer to do the job, same when my VW dealer quoted £800 to fit the 2017 VW Golf with a towbar.
My local towbar fitter who is VW approved does the job for £400 pukka dedicated electrics.
These main dealers are having a laugh.
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06/9/2017 at 8:11pm
Location: West country
Outfit: Mondeo
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Very often the main dealers sub it out to a local fitter anyway.
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09/9/2017 at 11:13pm
Location: Merseyside
Outfit: Coachman 575
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If you get dedicated wiring (recommended) then the vehicle body control module needs to be configured, make sure this is in the price or a trip to the local main dealer will add to the bill.
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10/9/2017 at 5:59pm
Location: Midlands
Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram
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Quote: Originally posted by Francais on 06/9/2017
£900 for the Ford dealer to do the job, same when my VW dealer quoted £800 to fit the 2017 VW Golf with a towbar.
My local towbar fitter who is VW approved does the job for £400 pukka dedicated electrics.
These main dealers are having a laugh.
I wonder if they will call the same guy to come and fit the towbar also? Or will they fit it in house?
It was not uncommon for dealers to farm the work out. But with most cars having everything in place these days its no harder than joining a few lego blocks.
No holes to drill and no soldering of wires or bodge locks.
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13/9/2017 at 1:30pm
Location: West Yorkshire
Outfit: Bessacarr Cameo 625 2011
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Whether there is any soldering or wire splicing to do may depend on the source of the dedicated wiring. If its a genuine dealer harness, then everything should clip or plug in ok, except that canbus wiring may have to run the length of the car (with all the trim removal that entails)as it depends on where the module is located.
I've just fitted dedicated wiring from Westfalia which managed to complete the wiring entirely within the boot area, but 4 soldered splices was a lot quicker than stripping out the car to run the canbus wires, plus any future failures can only be in one area.
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