Caravan / Car Electric Connection
Discussion
My current tow bar just has a basic electric connection to run the lights on the back of the trailer. As our caravan is old this also suits the caravan as the caravans onboard electics are not operated by the car.
However planning on changing the caravan very shortly. Are they all standard (probably looking for a 2006 or so model) or should we get the caravan and then update the tow bar electrics.
However planning on changing the caravan very shortly. Are they all standard (probably looking for a 2006 or so model) or should we get the caravan and then update the tow bar electrics.
By Basic, I guess you mean the 7 PIN black connector (12N).
New caravans mostly come with 13 pin plugs, whilst 2nd hand vans will come with either 13 pin or the 12N+12S (Black for lights and grey and fridge/battery/reverse).
If you do not need to charge your battery from the car or keep the fridge cool whilst driving, then if the caravan has 12N+12S, just plug the black (12N) in. If the caravan has a 13 pin plug, then you will need to get an adaptor (13pin to 12N).
If you want to change the electrics on the car, then you can either get the 12S wiring done or you can replace it all with a 13 pin connector (what I did on my previous car)
My current car has a 13 pin socket on it and my van uses the 12N+12S plugs. I use an adapter. If I do not have the caravan battery with me (bringing home from storage), then I just use a 12N to 13 pin adaptor, otherwise I use a 12N+12S to 13 pin adaptor.
New caravans mostly come with 13 pin plugs, whilst 2nd hand vans will come with either 13 pin or the 12N+12S (Black for lights and grey and fridge/battery/reverse).
If you do not need to charge your battery from the car or keep the fridge cool whilst driving, then if the caravan has 12N+12S, just plug the black (12N) in. If the caravan has a 13 pin plug, then you will need to get an adaptor (13pin to 12N).
If you want to change the electrics on the car, then you can either get the 12S wiring done or you can replace it all with a 13 pin connector (what I did on my previous car)
My current car has a 13 pin socket on it and my van uses the 12N+12S plugs. I use an adapter. If I do not have the caravan battery with me (bringing home from storage), then I just use a 12N to 13 pin adaptor, otherwise I use a 12N+12S to 13 pin adaptor.
Bit late to this one.
My suggestion would be to convert everything to 13 pin. It's a much better and more waterproof connection.
If your handy can be done DIY. I think a towbar chap charged £50 to do our car and caravan. I then dragged the wire (oops) and wore it through. I got some 13 core wire and wired in back to the caravan junction box which works even better and was not hard if your handy with that sort of thing.
My suggestion would be to convert everything to 13 pin. It's a much better and more waterproof connection.
If your handy can be done DIY. I think a towbar chap charged £50 to do our car and caravan. I then dragged the wire (oops) and wore it through. I got some 13 core wire and wired in back to the caravan junction box which works even better and was not hard if your handy with that sort of thing.
yup one of these
http://www.thetoolbox.uk.com/13-Pin-Conversion-Plu...
and work with a wiring diagram, or I actually took a single 13 core wire back into the front locker where all the cables terminate and re-terminated..
http://www.thetoolbox.uk.com/13-Pin-Conversion-Plu...
and work with a wiring diagram, or I actually took a single 13 core wire back into the front locker where all the cables terminate and re-terminated..
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