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Topic: Towbar electrics

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jonnmedds

02/9/2014 at 9:49pm
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Good evening,

I've just bought a Hyundai ix35 and am looking to get a tow bar fitted. My question, what is the benefit of dedicated vehicle electrics for the tow bar compared to universal electrics? Obviously there's quite a price difference between the two.

Thanks in advance,

Jon

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Hairywol

02/9/2014 at 10:18pm
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Dedicated electrics will activate your car's Trailer Stability System - over and above the normal systems that are normally in use - as well as deactivating stuff like reverse sensors.

They will also fit seamlessly with your wiring system, which is a big deal these days with the highly computerised equipment on board all modern cars.

Plus, if your car is in warranty, a dedicated loom won't invalidate it (not all the warranty, just anything that might relate to towing.

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neil and lena

03/9/2014 at 6:11am
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Dedicated electrics every time , with universal wiring you may through time have connection / earthing issue's .
Dedicated wiring looms plug straight into the cars wiring system

jonnmedds

03/9/2014 at 6:19am
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Thank you, that all makes sense.

Jon

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birdman101

03/9/2014 at 6:36am
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Dedicated will just plug into wiring harness and will integrate with car circuits.

Francais

03/9/2014 at 9:56am
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A good fitter will have the £3k's worth of computer programming kit, to get your cars computer talking to the towbar so to speak.

Some fitters don't have this kit, so will take the car to a main dealer or another fitter that has, just to get the programming done, which I am told costs them £50 or so.

I would always go for the Single 13pin option rather than Twin 7,Pin sockets, the 13pin is a more secure bayonet type connection.

Certainly on modern day cars and especially cars still under warranty or firms car, the days of using a fistful of scotch locks and a relay bypass are well gone IMHO.

Very easy to convert a caravan from Twin 7 pin plugs to single 13pin plug.

blueexpo97

03/9/2014 at 10:08am
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The Op has a 2013 van, so it will have a 13 pin plug. Let's not muddy the waters talking about twin 7's.

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Francais

03/9/2014 at 10:15am
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Well spotted blueexpo97, although my reference to the 13pin type connection may be of use to others viewing the post.

But I will admit to not noticing that the OP has a 2013 caravan, so shoddy admin on my part.

Apologies to the OP for that.

freeatlast

03/9/2014 at 5:12pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Francais on 03/9/2014A good fitter will have the £3k's worth of computer programming kit, to get your cars computer talking to the towbar so to speak.

My car certainly did not need any programming changes for the towbar wiring. My Tucson didn't either. Does the Hyundai iX35?

jonnmedds

03/9/2014 at 8:30pm
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Thanks all, the car does have trailer stability assist, so it looks like dedicated is the way to go.

Jon

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grumpyt

02/1/2015 at 10:47am
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So jonnmeddis how did you get on with the tow bar and electrics, what bar did you go with, who fitted your electrics, how much did it cost , have you had any issues with anything since,i had just ordered a new is35, and need to set it up for caravan.
cheers brian

jonnmedds

02/1/2015 at 12:31pm
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Hi Brian,

I did go for vehicle specific electrics in the end, with a Witter detachable lockable tow bar.

A company called TrailerTrek fitted on my driveway. It took then a few hours and the total cost was £489.00.

http://www.trailertrek.co.uk/

No problems so far, the wiring is much tidier as I don't have a mass of electric boxes like is did on my old car. There's no beeping when I indicate, as it's linked into the vehicles systems and I have the benefit of an operational trailer stability assist that came with the car.

Jon

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grumpyt

07/1/2015 at 7:59pm
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Hi Jon thanks for your reply, that sounds like a fair price , i have looked at the cost of bar and electrics separately at around £390 , did they have to do any reprogramming on the car. or was it just a case of plug and play. i could fit the bar myself as i have done loads in the past , but as cars electrics are becoming more complex i thing my wiring days are over , although i do use a superb auto electrician for all my cars diagnostics, who would be more than capable of wiring the electrics , but only if there was no car specific reprogramming to do.
did you inform your Hyundai dealer that you had the bar fitted , do you think there would be any issue over the cars warranty using an outsider to fit bar etc.
cheers brian

grumpyt

08/1/2015 at 11:39am
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Hi all i just phoned my Hyundai dealer re having a tow bar and 13 pin electrics fitted to a brand new ix35 2.0 Diesel
premium model .

prices given are.

£890 inclusive for detachable
£625 inclusive for fixed
ROBBING BARSTEWARDS EXPENSIVE ENOUGH AT £625 BUT AN EXTRA £265 FOR DETACHABLE NECK , THEY ARE AT IT.!!!!!!

I asked who manufactured the bar and was told it was a Hyundai genuine part YEAH RIGHT!!!
even them going out and buying a top end bar and electrics retail, would give them at least £500 for labor. Needless to say they will not be getting the job.

The 2 Tops

09/1/2015 at 12:15pm
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My VW has a Westfalia detachable tow ball. I discovered that, to replace just the detachable tow ball assembly, would cost approx. a staggering £400. So, the dealer fitting the towbar isn't really on the make.
Bertie.

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The 2 Tops

ST1100

09/1/2015 at 12:35pm
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Quote: Originally posted by The 2 Tops on 09/1/2015
My VW has a Westfalia detachable tow ball. I discovered that, to replace just the detachable tow ball assembly, would cost approx. a staggering £400. So, the dealer fitting the towbar isn't really on the make.
Bertie.

If it is for the Touran, it looks like you can get a full new Westfalia towbar now for £178.

Touran towbars

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