Home Log in or Register

Message Forums

Welcome Guest

Reception - All Forums

Caravans and Caravanning - Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice

Topic: Tow Bar Electrics

Page: 1 2

Colin21

01/8/2019 at 5:32pm
Location: East Herts
Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 05/11/2013

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 6272

Site Reviews Total:	18

Site Reviews 2024:	1
Site Reviews 2023:	1
Site Reviews 2022:	2
Site Reviews 2021:	2
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	2
Site Reviews 2018:	3

Site Nights 2024:	7
Site Nights 2023:	8
Site Nights 2022:	12
Site Nights 2021:	18
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	21
Site Nights 2018:	18

Quote: Originally posted by queensmessenger on 01/8/2019
Getting a new car soon to tow my old van. Do these responses mean that I can wire my lights/flashers/stop lights direct to harness without the need for the expensive dedicated wiring harness and the need to reprogram the car provided I do not use the battery charging and fridge wires? My old black plug should be all that I need.

Not necessarily. Most modern cars have canbus wiring systems, so its not as simple as wiring in to the lights like we used to. I would advise that you have the wiring done by a professional unless you understand modern car canbus wiring systems. However, you may not need any special wiring harnesses, and you may still be able to use a 7 pin socket if you want to. My car probably has canbus wiring, but it had a 7 pin socket on it when I bought it. Many trailers still use 7 pin wiring.

-------------
Best Regards,
Colin

dimbles

01/8/2019 at 6:13pm
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 16/1/2015

Silver Member

Forum Posts: 197

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Quote: Originally posted by queensmessenger on 01/8/2019
Getting a new car soon to tow my old van. Do these responses mean that I can wire my lights/flashers/stop lights direct to harness without the need for the expensive dedicated wiring harness and the need to reprogram the car provided I do not use the battery charging and fridge wires? My old black plug should be all that I need.

My car is newish with Can Bus electrics, because of the type of towing I did with motorcycle trailers that had 7 pin plugs fitted to them , I have a 7 pin socket fitted, that was fitted with a universal Can bus control box, no re programming was done, My Pathfinder has a 13 pin plug that is used with a 7 to 13pin adaptor.
As has already been said been said if you are not familiar with can bus systems Its best left to a professional tow bar fitter who will know how to do connections into Can Bus.

Dr Zhivago

01/8/2019 at 10:06pm
Location: Monmouthshire
Outfit: Caravan

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 12/8/2015

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 30

Site Reviews Total:	4

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	3
Site Reviews 2018:	1

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	11
Site Nights 2018:	6

Quote: Originally posted by Colin21 on 31/7/2019
If your caravanning is anything like mine you don't even need any more than the one 7 pin plug, which is all I have. Never had a problem.

The black 7-pin is for the legal runnning lights, and the grey 7-pin is mostly for caravan domestic power with the exception that the caravan reversing lights are also through the grey 7-pin. So the OP should be aware that with only a black 7-pin socket the caravan reversing lights will not work. It is an amazing (and unacceptable IMHO) anomaly that working reversing lights are not a legal requirement on a caravan. They will of course work with a 13-pin system with the appropriate pin wired up.

CANbus is a bit of a red herring. Both 7-pin and 13-pin systems may or may not involve the CANbus. I have 13-pin without involving CANbus. These plugs and sockets are just physical connectors at the ends of wiring tails and have no involvement with the electronics.

If you are handy with a screwdriver it is almost trivial to convert from 7-pin plug/plugs and socket/sockets to a 13-pin (or vice-versa if you have some reason to do so, although you will need a double bracket on the car). You do not even need to wire up the "domestic" pins in a 13-pin system if you don't need them.

In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev Next
Jump To Page: 1 2
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice - Top of Page

Printable version

Latest News, Discounts and Competitions see all...

4772 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker - Recommend to Friend - Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums] [Caravan Sites & Camping] [Company Listings] [Features / Advice] [Virtual Brochure] [Shop!]
[Reception] [Competitions] [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale] [Event Diary] [Contact Us] [Tent Reviews]

Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024

UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder