Tow bar electrics

[BikerGraham]

Afternoon folks.

I always thought that a modern motorhome needed van specific electrics when having a tow bar fitted.

Just had a quote from Hedley’ in Durham who have an excellent reputation.

They said that for my van, Bailey autograph 2017 based on the Peugeot boxer. There is no advantage to having the van specific electrics installed, over the standard electrics for 13 pin socket.

There is a £300 cost saving.

Would appreciate peoples thoughts on this please

Thanks
Graham

 

[Outdoors Dad]

13 pin electric socket replaced the old 7pin socket. I'm sure hedleys would ensure you have lights/brakelights, reverse light etc everything that your van rear displays. I think the more expensive option is for a car towing a caravan where electric is required for fridge ?? Sounds good to me, A19 caravans also do towbars I believe maybe get another quote if unsure.

 

[BikerGraham]

13 pin electric socket replaced the old 7pin socket. I'm sure hedleys would ensure you have lights/brakelights, reverse light etc everything that your van rear displays. I think the more expensive option is for a car towing a caravan where electric is required for fridge ?? Sounds good to me, A19 caravans also do towbars I believe maybe get another quote if unsure.

Thanks mate.

Yep reckon your correct they are not going to fit anything that isnt.

I gave them all the van details and reg number so, they have all the correct information and they do have a sterling reputation. I know a few people would not go anywhere else.

I was just surprised when they said there is snow advantage with my vehicle to have the dedicated electrics installed. Maybe it’s that others see that as just addding money and profit to a job and Hedley’s see value for money as more important.

 

[Outdoors Dad]

Maybe only relevant if your towing a caravan

 

[whisky walker]

We had a bar and electrics fitted to a 2021 van. With Swift the tow bar electrics just go into the garage and plug into the board in the back, no fiddling about just straight in. I would say they are 13 pin and the actual socket has a micro switch on it the disables the reversing sensors when a trailer etc is connected. If a tow bar is fitted then both the electrics and bar will be looked at and tested in an MOT. S always worth thinking about.

Cheers

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[BikerGraham]

Maybe only relevant if your towing a caravan

Have a feeling you’re right with that. So irrelevant for a motorhome towing a trailer.

Whereas the Peugeot boxer van towing a caravan would need dedicated.

Thanks for your comments

Think decision made. Their price is £900 for swan neck bar and 13 pin electrics. So ok with that .

 

[StillGoing]

I think the vehicle specific electrical harness is needed if the towing vehicle has a trailer stability function.

 

[Outdoors Dad]

Electric stability as in a caravan? I doubt an A frame has an electric stabiliser.

 

[BikerGraham]

I think the vehicle specific electrical harness is needed if the towing vehicle has a trailer stability function.

Yep reckon that’s true.

I imagine mine doesn’t have that though.

 

[Waveski]

Van specific harness should show up any bulb failures on the dash, generic may not?
I’ve been towing boats, caravans etc. for over 60 years (gulp). Any wiring utilising Scotch connectors are usually very troublesome in my long experience, don’t let them even think of using them!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[whisky walker]

Van specific harness should show up any bulb failures on the dash, generic may not?
I’ve been towing boats, caravans etc. for over 60 years (gulp). Any wiring utilising Scotch connectors are usually very troublesome in my long experience, don’t let them even think of using them!

Totally agree, the one fitted to mine has a sergent loom that fits straight into their connector, no messing about. There is also a function that stops the fog lights coming on on the MOHO if you are towing a trailer. Basically it prevent fog lights on the MOHO and the trailer being on together, this apparently is not allowed.

 

[MisterB]

Afternoon folks.

I always thought that a modern motorhome needed van specific electrics when having a tow bar fitted.

Just had a quote from Hedley’ in Durham who have an excellent reputation.

They said that for my van, Bailey autograph 2017 based on the Peugeot boxer. There is no advantage to having the van specific electrics installed, over the standard electrics for 13 pin socket.

There is a £300 cost saving.

Would appreciate peoples thoughts on this please

Thanks
Graham

i recently had towbar electrics fitted for my cycle rack, i was also offered the option and it was explained to me that the only difference was cost .... apparently they make up their own 'looms' as they go along, just using cable off a roll. i chose to save over £100 .....

i also understand that scotch loc type connectors are not used by professionals, they solder any connections that need soldering and also make up their own wiring harness with the proper connectors.

i used a towbar specialist company in Braintree essex

 

[StillGoing]

Electric stability as in a caravan? I doubt an A frame has an electric stabiliser.

AL-KO ESC | AL-KO

AL-KO ESC is a sophisticated electronic brake actuation system that automatically responds to the driving behaviour of the caravan by monitoring for any dangerous lateral movements

alko.com.au

 

[Steve and Denise]

Ours has a 13 pin as we tow a car with electric braking from memory pin 9 has a feed to top up the battery of the car while being towed

 

[gus-lopez]

If it has canbus on the towing vehicle then it usually needs a canbus relay to stop spurious fault lights on the dash . Mine is 2007 Transit & had one fitted with towbar in 2019. cost additional 80€.
It packed up in the UK last year so I got a replacement off amazon for about 25 quid.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Outdoors Dad]

I think here when dealing with Henleys if you ask what lights your going to have etc they will give you the truth.

 

[dunnah01]

Sounds like they will be using a bypass relay. This takes the small voltage signal from the canbus on the tow van and triggers the 12v supply to the relevent lights on the trailer. Prevents errors on the dash for lights not working. They're fine unless you have reversing sensors and other paraphernalia to confuse things

 

[Sue and Rick]

Peugeot Boxer Extended Chassis 05/2014-06/2021 7 Pin PF Jones Dedicated Wiring Kit - Multi Fit

Peugeot Boxer Extended Chassis 05/2014-06/2021 7 Pin PF Jones Dedicated Wiring Kit - Multi Fit, 19500658PF, 7PIN701

www.pfjones.co.uk

7 pin