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Subject Topic: Towbar Electrics Post Reply Post New Topic
25/5/2018 at 10:13am
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Hi All

new to this whole thing and hope you wonderful people will be able to advise me better.

My JDM spec car has a towbar fitted...I now believe original Nissan Factory option.

Considering setting up to tow but need to know if I need to get it rewired or if I can use the wiring there already.

Any ideas?

thanks


25/5/2018 at 10:41am
 Location: Royal Forest of Dean
 Outfit:  Swift Major 4SB
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What is JDM? What sort of electrics have you got on the car? You should be able to power trailer lights from a standard socket but may not have power for fridge and battery charging. Has the car got a 7 pin socket or 13 pin? If it's 13 pin check that all the connections have been wired if you need them, they often only wire for basic trailer lighting.

Rob


25/5/2018 at 10:42am
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Sorry JDM - Japanese Domestic Market, imported.

Its 7 Pin but is JP 7 pin different to UK??


25/5/2018 at 10:47am
 Location: Hatfield Peverel Essex
 Outfit: Ace Supreme Twinstar Disco 3
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Good morning and welcome.
Before you can receive an exact answer you need to say what you intend towing.
There will be different wiring set ups for example for a camping trailer, a caravan where you want to run a refrigerator on the move or a caravan with just the road lights in use.
Having said that, I would have thought that if the tow bar was factory fitted that it would be already fully wired.
Do you have two sockets, one grey and one black, alongside the tow ball or is there just one black one with thirteen pins in it?
And that assumes that a "JDM spec" (whatever that is ) is a normal car.
DaveS1


25/5/2018 at 10:49am
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It I s a single 7 Pin

no idea on any of this yet as only just looking into it, I have no experience of caravan or trailers etc., I had a towbar on previous jeep and used trailer once with light board and that's the limit.


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25/5/2018 at 11:12am
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Take it to your local towbar fitter and get him to advise, at the end of the day probably the best option rather than asking on a forum.

Good luck.

-------------
XVI yes?

As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.


25/5/2018 at 11:15am
 Location: Hatfield Peverel Essex
 Outfit: Ace Supreme Twinstar Disco 3
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OK, thanks.
I know nothing about Japanese towing bits and pieces.
I assume that the tow bar has a tow ball attached. In the UK these are a standard 50mm size so firstly you would need to ensure the size is right.
Next, if you intend towing a caravan with an Al-Ko hitch, you need to ensure the tow ball is compatible with that type of hitch.
If you only have the one 7 pin socket then only the trailer /caravan road lights will operate (assuming that the Japanese socket is compatible with the UK plug).
And you thought you were going to get a simple answer!
If it were me, I think I would wait and see what I wanted to tow before doing anything. There are so many variables to take into account.
Good luck, DaveS1


25/5/2018 at 11:19am
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Cheers guys

I think I might return to original plan then...remove and pretend it never had anything to tow with at all..


25/5/2018 at 11:33am
 Location: West Midlands
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Quote: Originally posted by E50ZRIDER on 25/5/2018
I had a towbar on previous jeep and used trailer once with light board and that's the limit.



If you still have the light board (or could borrow one) you could check the socket for compatibility?


25/5/2018 at 11:46am
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I sold the trailer, board, and a load of other bits when the jeep went to the great garbage bin in the sky


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25/5/2018 at 12:14pm
 Location: Royal Forest of Dean
 Outfit:  Swift Major 4SB
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What is the car and what are you thinking of towing? Most, but not all, cars can usually tow a small trailer but if you are thinking of getting a large caravan you may find that your car or your licence are not suitable.

Rob


25/5/2018 at 12:16pm
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Its a Nissan Elgrand 8 Seater, weighs approximately 2.2 Tonnes

I have license capability as passed before they started reducing whats allowed etc....


25/5/2018 at 12:18pm
 Location: East Herts
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In all probability there is nothing wrong with the towbar, but as has been said, if you want to tow something with an Alko stabiliser, the tow BALL might need to be changed.

Regarding the 7 pin socket, this is probably a standard socket that will work all the road lights. If you intend to tow a caravan, and you want to charge the caravan's battery and run the fridge while you are on the move, you will need to either fit one of the new 13 pin sockets, or a second 7 pin socket, depending on what is fitted to the caravan. Whichever you choose, you will need additional wiring for this.

My old caravan is fitted with two 7 pin plugs, but personally I only ever use the black 7 pin socket for the road lights. My car is only fitted with the one, and I don't think it worth the expense of having the second one fitted, but that is only my own personal preference.

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


25/5/2018 at 12:24pm
 Location: Royal Forest of Dean
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Might be worth looking for an Elgrand owners forum or Faceache page to get some advice. I would certainly get some advice from a local towbar fitter.

Rob


25/5/2018 at 12:26pm
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TI am on the OC but we aren't Camping guys predominantly hence asking here, wasn't sure if anyone else would have experience of JP spec tow hookup etc, no worries guys I will get looked at by Tow bar place and take from there




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