Towing Electrics
Having the right electrics on your trailer or caravan is essential to make sure it is roadworthy, and that signals and lights can be transmitted clearly and reliably.
1.5m 2 × 7 Pin Plugs & 7 Core Curly Connectin...
£16.00
1.5m 7 Pin N Type Curly Extension Lead (Plug ...
£18.00
12N Towing Electrics Plug
£4.00
12N Towing Electrics Socket
£3.50
12S Towing Electrics Plug
£4.00
12S Towing Electrics Socket
£3.50
13 pin Towbar Socket Tester
£45.00
13Pin Towing Electrics Plug
£6.00
13pin Towing Electrics Socket
£7.50
2.5m 7 To 8 Pin Curly Conversion Lead – 7 Pin...
£29.00
7 Pin 2.5m 2×7 Pin Plugs & 7 Core Curly Conne...
£22.00
7 Pin To 13 Pin Towing Adaptor
£10.00
7 pin Towbar Socket Tester
£40.00
8 Pin 1.5m 2×8 Pin Plugs & 8 Core Curly Conne...
£24.00
8 Pin 2.5m 2×8 Pin Plugs & 8 Core Curly Conne...
£29.00
8 Pin 2.5m Curly Extension Lead With 8 Pin Pl...
£37.00
8/13 Pin Alignment Cap
£3.00
Adaptor 13 Pin Car/Vehicle To 7 Pin Caravan/T...
£10.00
Adaptor 13 Pin Vehicle To 7 Pin 12N & 12S Tra...
£25.00
Single Socket Mounting Plate
£3.00
Towing Electrics N type Socket Seal
£3.00
Towing Electrics 12N Wiring Kit inc Bypass Re...
£55.00
Towing Electrics 13pin Wiring Kit inc Bypass ...
£74.00
Towing Electrics 22amp Combination Relay
£18.00
Towing Electrics
If you are towing a trailer, caravan, trailer tent, folding camper or using a cycle carrier or towbar mounted cargo box, you will require electrics installed on your towing vehicle to operate compulsory road lighting functions on the attached unit. You may also additionally require the operation of internal 12v equipment (such as fridge or battery charging) and activation of ATC systems, where these features are installed or available.
To accomplish this there are fundamentally 4 different types of towing electric sockets used in the UK:
12n electrics, also referred to as 7pin or single socket electrics.
This system is used to operate the basic road lighting functions on caravans (pre 2010) and a large range of trailers and cycle carriers.
The pin functions comprise:
- Left hand indicator
- Fog light
- Earth
- Right hand indicator
- Right hand side lights
- Brake lights
- Left hand side lights
12s electrics, used in conjunction with 12n electrics on pre 2010 caravans.
This system operates the caravan’s 12v internal functions while towing and also caravan reverse lights.
The pin functions comprise:
- Reverse lights
- Switched supply for battery charging (pre 2000 caravans)
- Earth
- Permanent live 12v supply
- (not used)
- Switched supply for fridge
- Earth
13pin road lighting electrics
This system operates the basic road lighting functions on 13pin systems used on some trailers and cycle carriers..
The pin functions comprise:
- Left hand indicator
- Fog lights
- Earth
- Right hand indicator
- Right hand side lights
- Brake lights
- Left hand side lights
- Reverse lights
13pin electrics, installed as standard on UK caravans from 2010.
These can be used for road lighting functions and for the operation of auxiliary 12v supplies. Some trailer tents may also use this system.
The pin functions comprise of:
- Left hand indicator
- Fog lights
- Earth
- Right hand indicator
- Right hand side lights
- Brake lights
- Left hand side lights
- Reverse lights
- Permanent live 12v supply
- Switched supply for fridge
- Earth (not used)
- Earth
Fitting tow electrics
Once the decision has been made as to which type of socket is required the next process is the connection and integration of the towing electrics to the vehicle. This can be accomplished in two different ways by using either vehicle specific (dedicated) electrics or universal wiring systems.
Vehicle Specific (Dedicated) Electrics.
Advances in automotive electronics have meant the introduction of numerous comfort and safety functions into motor vehicles. In many cases not only have the vehicle manufacturers designed their vehicles to detect a trailer or caravan but to also change the way these systems operate and how the vehicle functions when towing.
These changes may include:
- ESP becoming 'TSP' to help correct trailer 'snaking'
- Brake electronics
- Suspension systems
- Engine electronics
- Parking aids
- Engine cooling systems
- Cruise Control/Active Cruise Control
- Lane change assistant
- Side Scan
Some information about electrics:
- Vehicle specific (dedicated) wiring kits have been designed, where possible, to replicate as closely as practicable, the vehicle manufacturers systems.
- Vehicle specific towing electrics are only available in 12n (7pin) or 13pin* configurations.
- Trailer indicator warning is usually accomplished by utilising the vehicle manufacturer’s inbuilt warning system or an audible tone if an indicator fails.
- If you have a 13pin system installed on your vehicle but need to tow a trailer tent/caravan with twin electrics (12n/12s) this can be accomplished using an adaptor lead. *
- The vehicle may also require coding with dedicated diagnostic tools to activate towing features. **
- Towcraft carry out the necessary coding to most vehicle's during the installation process.
* may not be fully compatible with pre 2000 caravans.
**only with vehicle specific wiring kits.
Universal electrics
- Universal wiring kits are available in 7pin (12N), 7pin (12S), or 13pin configurations.
- They can connect either directly or via a 'bypass relay' to the vehicles wiring harness.
- Trailer indicator warning is usually achieved by means of an audible unit.
- Universal electrics will power all trailer / caravan road lighting and optionally caravan 12V internal equipment but will not activate any towing related features on the towing vehicle.
- Universal electrics are usually cheaper than a vehicle specific wiring system.
- Universal electrics are not compatible with all vehicles.
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