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Getting a tow bar fitted

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Heanorboy
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Getting a tow bar fitted Empty Getting a tow bar fitted

Post by Fontie Thu Jan 20, 2022 1:08 pm

Looking at getting a tow bar fitted to my Warwick XL 2020 some places are saying I need Vehicle specific wiring at £250 odd, I am only going to have a 2 bike carrier or a small trailer attached do I need this extra wiring I think its if your towing a caravan to send habitation eclectics to. What do you reckon ?
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Post by Heanorboy Thu Jan 20, 2022 1:53 pm

What you are talking about whether you need a 13pin or a 7 pin connection and the cost looking around is only about £5 - £10.

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Whilst they charge the earth for a dedicated connection if you had to pay someone to wire in the old way hourly rates I would guess cost you more.

If it was me I would go for the 13 pin even though you may not need the extra pins they are now industry standard.

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Post by Weegie Thu Jan 20, 2022 1:58 pm

If you intend to tow a trailer, irrespective of size, you will need the electrics. The trailer must have it's own lighting, which is powered by the towing vehicle. 

If you're only carrying bikes, then, probably, you should still have the electrics, as the bikes may obscure your vehicle lights and/or registration plate, in which case you'll need a light bar. Again, powered by the vehicle.
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Post by Fontie Thu Jan 20, 2022 2:03 pm

Thanks guys I'll just get the 13 pin socket fitted
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Post by Roopert Thu Jan 20, 2022 3:06 pm

One other interpretation of "vehicle Specific Wiring" is that rather than being to do with 13-pin or 7-pin, it's the way in which the towbar's electrics interface to the towing vehicle.

Non-specific wiring will typically just use a simple, generic bypass relay. The vehicle-specific wiring is likely to have a CANbus based module that includes more features. I've never needed to look at how Peugeot does it, but for example on a VW, the vehicle-specific wiring will include auto rear foglight switching (so that both foglights are not on at the same time), bulb failure monitoring, and dynamic ESP changes (i.e. the stability program is automatically changed to account for the "pendulum" effect of a trailer).

Of course, none of those things is especially useful if all you're doing is putting a bike rack on the back!
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Post by Caraman Thu Jan 20, 2022 6:03 pm

A-S Coachbuilts have something called a VLM5 unit to which it is very easy to make the 7 connections needed for standard trailer lights or a lighting board.  Although only 7 connections may be made they can be connected to a trailer or lighting board through a 12N 7 pin plug/socket or a 13 pin/socket using only pins 1 to 7.  I don't know if A-S PVCs have a VLM5 unit but its worth finding out before spending any money.
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Post by shipbadger Fri Jan 21, 2022 9:33 am

When I had a towbar fitted to my Legend, and subsequently the same firm built a twin axle goods trailer for me they would not fit a 7 pin plug or socket as they said it contravened the then current regulations.  Mind you we were in the EU then so the rules may have changed a bit.  In the car glove box I keep adapters for connecting 7 and 13 pin plugs/soclets together, all purchased via Ebay.
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