A frame tow bar electrics - 7 or 13 pin?

Conal

Conal

Joined
Oct 10, 2009
Posts
887
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1,922
Location
Bishop's Stortford
Funster No
8,835
MH
Autotrail Delaware
Exp
Since 2011
I am looking for advice re: the tow bar electrics needed for an A frame and to “future proof” my motorhome.

I have booked into Watling engineers for a tow bar to be fitted to my Autotrail Delaware, and with Janice, at TAF Chesterfield, for an A frame to be fitted to my Morris 1000.

I have already received great advice from members of “FUN” re: the towed weight allowable and the combined weight of car and A frame will be under 800kgs, which is less than the max allowed.

I understand that the 7 pin option covers the legal requirements whilst 13 pins provides power options to fridges etcetera...

My 1963 Morris has been fitted with power brakes and I understand that the 13 pin socket will power the vehicle/battery/brakes whilst being towed.

Any advice re: which to get, and why, would be gratefully received.
 
Get the 13 pin, there is a simple plugin adapter to the thirteen pin that converts it to a seven pin. I have the same on my Audi, if I tow my sons new caravan its 13 pin it I tow my trailer its 7 pin.
 
13 pin has to be checked fit Mot, seven does not.

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Hi we have the LNB a frame with electronic braking. we had to upgrade from 7 pin to 13 pin to continue to charge the toad battery while towing, as the electronic braking is run off the car battery
 
13 pin is an MOT testable item for function as well as security.
7 pin is only testable for security.

c. A 13-pin trailer socket:
i. not functioning correctly
Major​
ii. not functioning at all
Dangerous​
Click to expand...
 
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Electrically operated braked tow cars require a 13 pin socket they wont operate on a correctly(Industry Standard) wired 7 pin
 
Thanks all especially Geo
now I need to email Janice to make sure I am getting electronically assisted braking!
 
David and Sally said:
Wonder if fitting a 13 - 7 pin adaptor negates that?
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It would if i were testing it

There is no mandate to dismantle anything for testing, i would however cover my a***e
with an advisory "7 pin converter fitted unable to test 13 pin socket"
Why dont i simply take it out
A. It would raise the question why did I? if I then went on to fail the 13 pin.
leading to improper testing charge
B. any damage caused would be my liability (It may be corroded in)
 
Conal said:
Thanks all especially Geo
now I need to email Janice to make sure I am getting electronically assisted braking!
Click to expand...
It depends what you are paying Janice, if its £1300 its not electronic braking

Just my opinion, 13 pin can be converted to 7 pin with a £5 adaptor
The other way round ( 7 to 13) is effectively the full cost of the 13 pin set up
Also you may want to upgrade to electronic braking later or a more complicated trailer
Future proof yourself and go for 13 anyway 👍
 
Cheshirecat57
you are correct. I emailed Janice and she confirmed that I will not be getting the electronically assisted braking system. I also found a thread on this forum where the consensus of opinion is that both this and the overbraking systems have their champions but a) you get what you pay for, and b) the overbraking stystem works well for relatively light cars, which mine is.
re: the 7v13 issue, as you say, better to get the 13 pin than to wish I had it at a later date.

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If you get past Janice (the wife) you will get a top class service from her husband his attention to detail is second to none and very good value for money, he makes the best over run a frame in the market bar non.
I would have no hesitation in buying a new one if we had not gone over to electronic that we bought secondhand from a member on here 👍
Should add go 13 pin to cover all aspects
 
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Geo said:
It would if i were testing it

There is no mandate to dismantle anything for testing, i would however cover my a***e
with an advisory "7 pin converter fitted unable to test 13 pin socket"
Why dont i simply take it out
A. It would raise the question why did I? if I then went on to fail the 13 pin.
leading to improper testing charge
B. any damage caused would be my liability (It may be corroded in)
Click to expand...
I'm sure you read the section concerning the ball and the actual towbar connection points Geo.
Towball cover an be removed to check ball condition and covers over any fixing point can be removed providing tools aren't required.
 
Steve and Denise said:
If you get past Janice (the wife) you will get a top class service from her husband his attention to detail is second to none and very good value for money, he makes the best over run a frame in the market bar non.
I would have no hesitation in buying a new one if we had not gone over to electronic that we bought secondhand from a member on here 👍
Should add go 13 pin to cover all aspects
Click to expand...
Just to add to this, my Panda is booked in for the TAF treatment 16th March
 
We had one of their frames on our IQ at the time it was £800 fitted stainless steel nice bit of kit made Armitages , caratow and Towtal loll like a bit off the fourth road bridge. 🤣
 
Always 13 pin. 7 pin is obsolete. If you have any 7 pin trailers, replace the plug. You don't need to wire up the auxilliary power if you don't want (this is what makes many 13 pin options more expensive as they may need to obtain a suitable power feed).

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My TAF A-frame has a 13 pin on one end to match the socket on the motorhome and a 7 pin one on the other end to match the socket on the car. If I have a bad connection it is always the 7 pin one that needs a wiggle. The 13 pin one is much more secure and stable.
 
Cheshirecat57 said:
Just to add to this, my Panda is booked in for the TAF treatment 16th March
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Please let us know results. We are end of April.
I have elected for 7 pin as we have 13 pin on the van but use a 7 pin adaptor for our motorcycle trailers.
 
If you have the electric brake controller you must have the fridge wire connected to charge the toads battery, otherwise when you arrive at your destination the toads battery will be flat. I know from experience with my Smartcar :Eeek:
 
David and Sally said:
Please let us know results. We are end of April.
I have elected for 7 pin as we have 13 pin on the van but use a 7 pin adaptor for our motorcycle trailers.
Click to expand...
Have had a small problem with my little Italian friend, so not going in now until 1st week in June 😡 will still report
 
David and Sally said:
Please let us know results. We are end of April.
I have elected for 7 pin as we have 13 pin on the van but use a 7 pin adaptor for our motorcycle trailers.
Click to expand...
13 pin is the way to go, i use both both but have adapters either way... the 13 pin connection is infinitely more reliable than 7 Pin!

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Scotties said:
13 pin has to be checked fit Mot, seven does not.
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That’s correct but it’s not an approval of 7 pin... the 7 pin system is subject to failure, the 13 pin system (with adapters if necessary) is infinitely better!
If you don‘t what it checked at MoT, take the towball off, then they can’t fail it!
 
TonyEmm said:
13 pin is the way to go, i use both both but have adapters either way... the 13 pin connection is infinitely more reliable than 7 Pin!
Click to expand...

13 pin is the modern standard. 7 pin is 19th century rubbish. Fit 13 pin. Buy an adapter if you need to.
 
David and Sally said:
Please let us know results. We are end of April.
I have elected for 7 pin as we have 13 pin on the van but use a 7 pin adaptor for our motorcycle trailers.
Click to expand...
Hi
update
in the end I went elsewhere and had one fitted locally to me
Few personal issues meant I wanted it fitting quickly and local
Delighted with what I ended up with
 

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