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Topic: Parking sensors and towbars
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23/3/2013 at 7:20pm
Location: Kennington OXFORD Outfit: 2005 Eccles Sterling Topaz 2 berth
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Our Saab is 'tow-bar prepped'. However, for the systems to work correctly, a proper dedicated wiring loom has to be fitted. This I did since buying the car last December (aint towed with it yet but will be doing so last week April) The kit includes the appropriate GM module which plugs into the Rear Electrical Centre. Due to the fitment of this loom etc, the car 'recognises' that a trailer is fitted and the ESP, TSP, ABS and the rear parking aid system all operate correctly for any conditions. The previous owner only had basic electrics (12N) fitted so I presume he only used the car to tow a small trailer down to the recycling depot. Seeing what I thought (incorrectly) was a 13 pin socket when we bought the car, I presumed the previous owner had towed a caravan. (that will teach me to be more observant - lol)When I looked later I was taken aback to find the basic stuff, including a Ryder pypass unit with bleeper. So I bought the kit from P F Jones in Sheffield (very helpful chaps) and I fitted it. When we bought the car, as part of the deal the sales exec had agreed that the Service Dept would, while carrying out the service and other checks, ensure that all systems for towing would be checked and/or programmed. Lost in translation, a visit later confirmed that this had not been done, even though the sales exec kept the car over the weekend prior to collection because "the Service Dept need more time to check the towbar". During that visit, one of their techies checked the car over and advised that when a dedicated loom and module are fitted the Saab system automatically adjusts all services when a trailer is plugged in and no programming is needed. I was more than happy to do the conversion myself for satisfaction of the wiring being done correctly.
Although I haven't towed the caravan with it yet, I have hooked it up and the rear parking bleeper is inoperative when the caravan is plugged in. Job's a good un.
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24/3/2013 at 9:17am
Location: chadderton oldham Outfit: skoda yeti 4x4 laurin klement
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QUOTE We had a tow bar fitted when we collected our car, and when we have a trailer, even a small one hitched, the display in the car says that the system is disabled. Then when removed, it is re enabled exactly same as mine minute you put the plug into the socket for the caravan and put the car in reverse its comes up on the screen "trailer attached".Its got nothing to do with the towbar itself but with the wiring of the plug socket as the wiring loom has been computirise into the car system EM
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27/3/2013 at 10:42pm
Location: Teesside Outfit: Mitsubishi ASX4
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Yes, I always fit my own, and the ASX was very easy. I fitted a detachable one from Hedleys in Durham. They had them on eBay. Once removed you cannot tell a towbar is fitted. You MUST get the proper wiring loom from Mitsu. It plugs in the boot, though you need to punch a hole through the back panel. Think that is now done for you. Another small loom plugs in under the bonnet and connects via fuses to the battery. You can't go wrong, and it does not need the ECU reprogramming. Neither will it affect any warranty.
Towed our caravan over 300 miles today, almost all in 6th gear, at just below 60mph. Averaged just over 35mpg with a slight head wind.
Incidentally, we used to have a Pathfinder. One day I had the most horrendous snake with no warning at just under 60mph. It was a bit nose light, but I'm convinced the real problem was the flimsy tyres. Just try pushing yours sideways whilst parked, and watch the tyres flex. Fit a decent pair of C rated tyres, it might save a nasty accident. Incidentally, I've over 30 years experience of towing, and never had anything like this before or since.
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29/3/2013 at 11:33am
Location: Kennington OXFORD Outfit: 2005 Eccles Sterling Topaz 2 berth
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Quote: Originally posted by freeatlast on 27/3/2013Yes, I always fit my own, and the ASX was very easy. I fitted a detachable one from Hedleys in Durham. They had them on eBay. Once removed you cannot tell a towbar is fitted. You MUST get the proper wiring loom from Mitsu. It plugs in the boot, though you need to punch a hole through the back panel. Think that is now done for you. Another small loom plugs in under the bonnet and connects via fuses to the battery. You can't go wrong, and it does not need the ECU reprogramming. Neither will it affect any warranty.
Towed our caravan over 300 miles today, almost all in 6th gear, at just below 60mph. Averaged just over 35mpg with a slight head wind.
Incidentally, we used to have a Pathfinder. One day I had the most horrendous snake with no warning at just under 60mph. It was a bit nose light, but I'm convinced the real problem was the flimsy tyres. Just try pushing yours sideways whilst parked, and watch the tyres flex. Fit a decent pair of C rated tyres, it might save a nasty accident. Incidentally, I've over 30 years experience of towing, and never had anything like this before or since.
That is very interesting. A few years ago, I bought a Pathfinder. I collected it from Southampton, and en route back home to Oxford while passing a tanker on the M3 at just under 60 mph, there was a nasty snake starting which, I thought, would have developed had I not eased off pronto. I eventually got by and put it down to, perhaps, some sort of bow wave emanating from such a vehicle. Once home, I unloaded the unit (I had bought it complete with everything except food and bedding - the poor bloke had lost his storage space, nowhere to park it, and was going through a house move) and put the snake down to perhaps the way it had been loaded.
Now I am beginning to think you have got something there, as it never really felt 'planted' behind our Rover 45 TDi, which should have been man enough for it. (Even though the Rover had a limit of 1000kg, I feel this was due to chassis design and not kerbweight)
So good advice to upgrade the tyres on these units, which otherwise are simply amazing. Only the potential pain of drying it out if taken down when wet made us sell it, as I was still working then and would not have had the time to erect it again after a trip.
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