Idiots guide to towbar wiring
 

hi all
is there a complete idiots guide anywhere to doing the wiring for a towbar with twin electrics?
or is it a case of grabbing bits of info and putting them all together :o

if you want to know which each pin does, a google search is your friend.
Most of the electrics can be taken from the wiring that goes to the rear light cluster.
the big concern will be a split charging cct. This makes sure that the cars battery is fully charged before the car charges the caravan. If this is not a concern it makes life so much easier.

is this of help
http://www.watling-towbars.co.uk/wir...g_towbars.html

macafee2

Go to the "www. Caravan and Motorhome "website-formerly caravan club- and under advice and training click on towbar wiring , on the right hand side is a download that gives the info on the pins etc.
Dave.

thanks chaps
any recommended way to get the cables into the car, do they just pop through one of the side vents and is any side better than the other?
wheres the best place to break into the wiring? behind the lights on the light side of the connector or into the main loom side inside the car?

not sure about a Tourer but on a saloon behind the bumper about centre is a rubber grommet, cables go through there.
With my saloon the cables were "cut into" a couple of foot from the offside light cluster.

I'd like to use a multi socket with two points to plug into so I can put the socket on the wires going to the front of the car and a plug on cables going to tow bar and another plug for cables going to light cluster.... just not been able to find such a socket

macafee2

cheers :}

ive got the bar on and going to do the electrics another day,

i like the idea of the multi plugs though which leads to another couple of questions

i already have a Ryder TF1170-3 box of tricks which i believe is to stop the leisure battery etc draining the car battery
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ryder-TF1...from=R40&rt=nc

i plan on getting a canbus relay (is it really needed?)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Smart-Log...sid=m570.l1313

and as i'm not going to be using the bar very often i plan on unbolting the bit that sticks out, the problem with that is there is no where really suitable to leave the 12n and 12s sockets
my idea at present is to use a connector like this so i can remove the ball with the sockets attached, it should be fine for 12n but i'm a bit concerned about the 12s as its only rated at 20amp, will it be ok or do i need to keep searching for a higher rated connector?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-4-8-10-...from=R40&rt=nc
doubt i'll ever tow a van but itll be sods law if i dont fit the socket i'll end up needing it at some point

any thoughts on my plans gratefully received :}

bolt the two sockets to the end of the tow bar where the tow ball sits

macafee2

Hi,

Not too sure if this is the sort of thing you have in mind?

http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.e...nnectors-6-3mm

There's 2,3,4,6,8 & 11 way blocks available.

I've been very happy with the service from this company and they are my "go to" for electrical bits and bobs.

Hope this helps.

Good luck.

Andy,

i'm planning on from removing the two bolts lettered N, so there is nothing protruding out from the bumper. there isnt really enough space to attach the sockets right under the bumper without them hanging down and being in danger of getting caught

https://www.tridenttowing.co.uk/imag...2618_image.jpg

i realise that i'm making a lot of extra work for myself but once done will make it look better and remove the risk of knocked shins