Towbar Selector

Towbar Selector
	Make:
	Model:
	Year:
	Parking sensors:	No Yes
	Towbar Type:	Detachable Flange Retractable Swan
	Electric Kit Type:	Single Twin 13 Pin See below for info on electric kits

Welcome to Our Towbar Selector!

We have designed this database to provide a list of towbars available for your vehicle.

Once you have selected your vehicle details you will be asked which electrical installation you require (see below).

We will then contact you via your preferred method with a detailed quotation on the towbar you have selected.

If there is a better option for your vehicle we will advise you further.

SINGLE 7 Pin Electrics or 12'N'

Black Socket.

Currently the most common of installations which provides Lighting functions from the vehicle. Ideal if your towing Trailers or using cycle carriers. You can still tow a Caravan with a single socket but beware! Some caravans now have built in Stabilization systems such as Al-Ko's 'ATC' which help to prevent 'snaking' when towing. This system along with the reverse light would only function from a Double Electrics (12'N' & 12'S') or 13-pin systems.

DOUBLE 7 Pin Electrics or 12'N' & 12'S'

Grey Socket

This installation is still available however 2008 onwards saw Caravans fitted with 13 pin installations. Used along side the 12'N' to provide a permanent 12 volt supply (Pin4*) and 12 volt switched feed into the Caravan for running of the fridge (Pin 6). Also supplies a reverse light function.

* Pin 4 switches via a relay in the Caravan to charge the Caravans battery when the engine is running.

On the 1st September 1998 the 12 'S' changed to how it is wired today (See Above), however there have been some technical problems with that update.

The main one being '12 S Melt Down' which is where the centre pin (PIN 7) becomes hot and 'melts' the centre pin of the Caravan plug and vehicle socket. This is due to two reasons:

Pin 7 has a slightly longer pin on the plug and when inserting it into the vehicle socket over time can cause the 'cross' on the pin to close and therefore NOT provide a good connection. This then causes 'Arcing' effect which in turn causes heat to build up.
The cable size is not always sufficient in the Caravan wiring in order to take demanding loads placed on that circuit.

To minimise the chances of 12'S' we are connecting the unused brown wire of pin 5 in the vehicle socket to a good earth in the vehicle. If you have a caravan that is 1997 onwards it is more than likely you will have a newer type of wiring system. To utilise the earth sharing system put in your vehicle by us we advise you modify your grey 12'S' plug as follows:-

Connect a small lenght of 28/0.03 (17.5 amp) wire to act as a loop between the black wire in pin 7 and the brown wire that may or may not be in pin 5. This action will share the earth load between the two pins and should prevent 12'S' meltdown. To help reduce the arcing make sure your pins are not squashed together and if not already fitted, change the plug to one with nickel plated pins.

Euro 13 Pin

One complete black Socket.

As stated above, this system is used on Caravans from 2008 and will soon be standardized in the Trailer industry. It provides both Light and Caravan services in one socket. The pins and connection method are different as-well, making the 13-pin more reliable system.