Towing Electrics

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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.

Questions About Vehicle Electrics?

If you have any questions about your vehicle electrics please get in touch with a member of our team,

0121 561 3351, 0121 559 1398 or 0121 559 0116

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