As a towing novice , can anyone enlighten me as to why there is an option on electrics when having a towbar fitted ? Whats the difference between the 2 sockets and why do some people have 2, and others only 1 ? Any info would add to my non-existant knowledge ! Thanks.
The second one charges the battery and runs the fridge when towing. If you are having a towbar fitted I would go for dual. If you have a tow bar I would not pay to upgrade.
------------- Good friends are hard to find, difficult to leave and impossible to forget.
The second socket, known as the 12s and has a grey or white cover powers the fridge and charges the battery if set to do so as has already been stated - it also operates a reversing light if fitted.
The thing is chrisnirene If you pick up your van from storage and only go a short distance to your chosen site (as we do) you wont need battery charging or the fridge running on 12v. so why fit the 12s? If however you plan a long trip in the summer then its worth thinking about. As to fitting the kraut, oops!! sorry teckie there I go again with that political incorrectness, THE EURO 13 pin socket I've never seen one,so what do you if you want to sell your van privately and their car has the usual arrangements they'd probably prefer the more common system.
Most new vans will soon be coming with the 13 pin plugs, so if getting a towbar it could be a good idea to get the 13pin socket. Adaptors are available to convert in both directions. A van with the 2 x 7 wiring can be converted to 13 pin wiring to save using an adaptor.
Most if not all cars towing a caravan have the twin sockets. If you only tow a standard trailer, you have no use for the 12S as it does not carry a fridge or leisure battery.
Quote: Originally posted by The Stabiliser on 02/3/2008
The thing is chrisnirene If you pick up your van from storage and only go a short distance to your chosen site (as we do) you wont need battery charging or the fridge running on 12v. so why fit the 12s?
On a simply practical basis it is worthwhile fitting the dual electrics as otherwise you will have one lead trailing on the floor as at the moment virtually all caravans are fitted with the two plugs.
Quote: Originally posted by The Stabiliser on 04/3/2008
Thanks Janus but we might be daft but not that daft. our grey cable is nicely rolled up, and taped around the jockey wheel.
I thought that you probably had soemthing like that, but for the benefit of Chrisnirene I thought it worthwhile mentioning, no offence meant.
I bought this second hand caravan last Autumn. A battery in the locker was connected and there was a 12v supply to the lights. Bingo.
However, when I connected to the car the side lights came on even though they were not switched on at the steering column.
I disconnected the battery by removing the two crocodile clips and set off for my only trip where there was a hook-up at the site. Since this expedition was so that I could be near the hospital where my wife was having a cancer operation I wasn't very worried about trivia like funny circuits.
But what now. Would I be better to install a second socket system. We intend to use some sites in the Summer which are without hook-ups. Any advice appreciated.