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Topic: Towbar Electrics

slj76

26/2/2018 at 4:40pm
Location: Cheshire
Outfit: Elddis Xplore 304

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Apologies for a newbie question but we are picking up our first Caravan in May after having a trailer tent. We have 13pin electrics on the towbar, however I have a vague recollection when we had it fitted that it was classed as lights only as we only had a TT (and at the time we dared to say 'no way, we are never getting a caravan!!'). Is this going to be sufficient to tow the caravan? Is it just the fridge and charging the battery which won't work? Does anyone have any idea if it's cheap / easy to get amended to a full 13pin. Many thanks in advance.

tango55

26/2/2018 at 4:51pm
Location: Lichfield
Outfit: Coachman Amara 450

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Have a look at the 13 pin socket diagram in the link below and check pins 9,10,11 & 13 with a voltmeter. Pins 9 & 13 create the one circuit and 10 & 11 for the other circuit. The engine must be running though whilst you do the check and if you get a reading then the circuits are live. No reading and it's not wired up to charge the battery or run the fridge whilst in tow.

Link

slj76

26/2/2018 at 5:59pm
Location: Cheshire
Outfit: Elddis Xplore 304

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Great, thanks. As long it's ok and road legal, that's all we're worried about at the moment.

bluemini

26/2/2018 at 6:25pm
Location: None Entered
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If your new caravan is 'brand new', it may have led roadlights that depending on your existing 13pin electrics, may cause an issue. If possible, check with whoever fitted the original towbar and electics.

Personally, I would get the electics up to scratch before collecting the van, as you need them to be able to use it, so why wait? Also, if the caravan has ATC, you ideally need that working.

DaveS1

26/2/2018 at 6:52pm
Location: Hatfield Peverel Essex
Outfit: Ace Supreme Twinstar Disco 3

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I agree with bluemini. Absolutely no point in having a fridge and not being able to use it especially when driving long distances.
Warm beer on arrival, uggh!
DaveS1

slj76

26/2/2018 at 7:46pm
Location: Cheshire
Outfit: Elddis Xplore 304

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Thanks all, will give the towbar place a call and see what the damage is. Didn’t really want to have to spend money as we’re likely to change the car next year but it’s more important we don’t have any issues when we come to collect it.

navver

26/2/2018 at 8:02pm
Location: West country
Outfit: Mondeo

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If you can plug the van in to electric at home you can switch the fridge on the day before you go away. That will cool it. If you don't open the door it ill stay cool enough for several hours without the need for powering it from the car.

Similarly, if you have EHU on site with a battery charger in the van, you have no need to charge the battery when towing.

DaveS1

26/2/2018 at 8:18pm
Location: Hatfield Peverel Essex
Outfit: Ace Supreme Twinstar Disco 3

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Yes, I agree, navver. It is all down to how you are going to use the caravan. If it is for fairly local use then a working fridge is nice but not essential.
If you are doing a 3 or 4 day trip to the south of France in 35 degree temperatures then it is essential in my book.
We now have the possible car change coming up so it may not be worth while shelling out just now.
DaveS1

LlaniDavis

26/2/2018 at 9:26pm
Location: Llanidloes Powys
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Funny how our European compatriots manage without having their fridge powered as they drive across Europe, and still have cold beer and wine when they arrive.

I gave up with getting the fridge wired up and just cool the fridge down at home, fill it with cold things and then ensure that it isn't opened on the journey. We've still had frozedn stuff in the freezer comparment after 12 hours. And a cold beer!

neil and lena

27/2/2018 at 10:19am
Location: Dumfries
Outfit: 2022 CoachmanVIP 2022 Pilote P696GJ

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Quote: Originally posted by slj76 on 26/2/2018
Apologies for a newbie question but we are picking up our first Caravan in May after having a trailer tent. We have 13pin electrics on the towbar, however I have a vague recollection when we had it fitted that it was classed as lights only as we only had a TT (and at the time we dared to say 'no way, we are never getting a caravan!!'). Is this going to be sufficient to tow the caravan? Is it just the fridge and charging the battery which won't work? Does anyone have any idea if it's cheap / easy to get amended to a full 13pin. Many thanks in advance.

If your new caravan has ATC it will be a condition of the insurance that it works

blueexpo97

27/2/2018 at 11:02am
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I know they will expect the ATC to work, but do they actually ask you.

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slj76

27/2/2018 at 4:19pm
Location: Cheshire
Outfit: Elddis Xplore 304

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Sorry - I've no idea what ATC is?? Spoke to our towbar centre and its £40 to have it sorted so not too bad, we will probably just get it done.

664DaveS

27/2/2018 at 4:34pm
Location: Shropshire
Outfit: Bailey Phoenix GT 75

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Alko Trailer Control, its an electronic system that helps prevent snaking by momentarily applying the van brakes.

It requires a 12v supply from the car.

There is an Led on the caravan A frame, if the supply is there when you connect the van it should go green,you normally hear a whirring noise from the device as well.
Its normal!
The instructions should be in the caravan booklet.

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slj76

27/2/2018 at 9:18pm
Location: Cheshire
Outfit: Elddis Xplore 304

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Crypto

28/2/2018 at 5:05pm
Location: Sussex
Outfit: 2007 Eriba Triton 430GT

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Sorry to dampen your hopes but I would imagine it would cost a great deal more than £40 to liven uo the fridge and leisure battery supply.
The reason they are not implemented as standard is that the car will need two heavy duty cables run from the battery area of the car (usually at the front) to the rear. This will involve considerable amounts of trim, carpet, even seat removal to do a proper job. That's why a full electric towbar installation is so expensive.
Newer model cars will also require their "computer" to be re-programmed to sort out the different electrical distribution when a trailer is connected.

As suggested by others, if you are not touring hot countries on a regular basis, and , as you have stated, you are changing your car next year, I wouldn't bother,
Fire the fridge up on gas or electric if at home before hand. If in storage, take along frozen water (or beer) to act as ice packs during the journey.

freeatlast

28/2/2018 at 9:09pm
Location: Teesside
Outfit: Mitsubishi ASX4

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Quote: Originally posted by Crypto on 28/2/2018

Newer model cars will also require their "computer" to be re-programmed to sort out the different electrical distribution when a trailer is connected.

Some newer model cars maybe, but by no means all.

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