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Subject Topic: wiring for towing Post Reply Post New Topic
Personchops58
31/8/2009 at 10:54am
 Location: Staffordshire
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Our s/h disco has a towbar but it is not wired for a caravan - anyone advise how we go about adapting it please?

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Gramps-R-us

Happiness is not having what you want
BUT
wanting what you have.


Personclanjones
31/8/2009 at 11:36am
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towsure do kits with instructions i think


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PersonLegsDownKettleOn
31/8/2009 at 11:41am
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If it has the towbar, I take it it has the 12n fitted (black plug) and you need the 12S (Grey plug) fitted.

You will need a split chargng relay, some grey 12S cable (about 2 metres should suffice), a fuse, some heavy duty cable to run th power from the battery to the split charging relay at the back of the car, a 12S cocket and a bracket to munt the socket on. I think the cheapest way of getting all this is in a kit form. It is easy to do, basically run a heavy duty wire from the battery (through a 30amp fuse) to the split charging relay. Then connect a permanent live and two switched lives to the socket and two earths. If you want to do a proper job you can connect the reverse light too.


Personchops58
31/8/2009 at 3:15pm
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Sorry if I get this wrong - but we are newbies!  The towbar has 7 pin plug which we think is a trailer towbar.

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Gramps-R-us

Happiness is not having what you want
BUT
wanting what you have.


PersonOpensauce
31/8/2009 at 4:33pm
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You need a second socket(coloured grey) to go next to your existing socket. this socket is known as a 12s to go with your existing socket known as a 12n, so you will need the new socket & wiring & relay as described above. you will also need a double mouting plate to replace your existing single mounting plate so the 2 sockets are mounted next to each other.

Having said all that if you plug only the black plug on caravan into you existing black 12n socket on car that will be ok, the caravan lights/indicators/brake lights will work ok & you can tow the caravan.

On most caravans the extra grey plug/socket only powers fridge while you are driving & charges leisure battery.

If you can do without those, then you can tow caravan with just your existing 12n socket.


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Persondarthillcat
31/8/2009 at 6:34pm
 Location: March cambs
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as stated above you have got what you need to tow a caravan (big box trailer with beds) ,We have towed caravans using only the Black 7 pin plug  only since we started never found the need to run fridge whilst towing and Battery has a charger when hooked up to EHU .Just use a cool box for frozen food ( we freeze a carton of milk to act as a ice block )

Dave



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men don't need or read instructions


Personnavver
31/8/2009 at 7:25pm
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If you do get a grey socket (12S) fitted be aware that in about 1998 or 1999 they changed the cable sizes and the pin allocations. If your van is newer than 1999 have it wired to the new standard. If its older have it wired to the old standard.


Personstew198
31/8/2009 at 8:32pm
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The 12s socket also carries power for the reversing light if fitted to your van. For fridge and battery charging I wire the 12s socket through a 12v smartcom relay which automatically switches power when the engine runs ( towsure sell these). It is advisable to run a hefty wire from the battery to the rear, fused at the battery end to supply power to the relay. 

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stewart.


Personmichael
31/8/2009 at 10:48pm
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may help,12N is the same for a trailer

Trailer Wiring I

Socket and plug wiring instruction 167
12N Normal Socket 12S Supplementary Socket
1) Left indicator 1) Reverse
2) Fog 2) Battery Charge **
3) Earth 3) Earth
4) Right indicator 4) Power feed
5) Right side light 5) Spare
6) Brake 6) Fridge **
7) Left side light 7) Earth for pin 6 (1998 on)
**NB It is essential that pin 6 is wired through a split relay from 1998 on!!

 



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the only silly question is the one you do not ask.


PersonLegsDownKettleOn
01/9/2009 at 4:30pm
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Better to get the complete kit if buying from towsure. This includes the wire, instructions and even a heavy duty scotchlock.

The split charging relays are a bit hit and miss with reliability. Mine doesn't shut off when the engine stops and continues to hold on until the battery drops down to about 11 volts. The split charging relay therefore is an easy way of wiring the 12S but not as reliable as tapping into the alternator wire. Unfortunately, with the electronics getting more and more complicated the split charging relay is becoming the only option with some vehicles.



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