Rear carrier, lighting board electrics
Discussion
Guys, has anyone on here fitted wiring for a rear rack lighting board? I fear that the number plate will be obscured when I put 3 bikes on the tailgate carrier & I don´t want to risk getting pulled in France this summer.
Is it massively difficult? Is it a generic wiring kit that you buy?
My car does not have a towbar fitted.
Thanks in advance for any advice!
Is it massively difficult? Is it a generic wiring kit that you buy?
My car does not have a towbar fitted.
Thanks in advance for any advice!
Hi,
Depends on what car, but generally speaking this is a fairly straightforward job. Before I had a car with a towbar, I connected the electric socket to a lead and connected this the rear lights using 'scotchlok' connectors or similar, then trailed the lead out of the boot when in use, and curled up in the corner of the boot when not. You're only looking to make 4 connections - lights, indicators each side and brake lights. I wouldn't worry about reverse lights or fog lights, its not like you can't see the car lights at all.
Depends on what car, but generally speaking this is a fairly straightforward job. Before I had a car with a towbar, I connected the electric socket to a lead and connected this the rear lights using 'scotchlok' connectors or similar, then trailed the lead out of the boot when in use, and curled up in the corner of the boot when not. You're only looking to make 4 connections - lights, indicators each side and brake lights. I wouldn't worry about reverse lights or fog lights, its not like you can't see the car lights at all.
You can buy universal Towing Electric Kits, but I wouldn't recommend for a new car. I used to work for a car maufacturer in accessories design and we had a rule not to 'tap'in to the harness. If it goes wrong and you damage the cable then the costs are significant. The replacement of a harness requires removing pretty much all the interior trim. Lots of hours.
Vehicle specific kits will have plugs that click in, so no potential for harness damage.
Once you have decided to go vehicle specific or universal, you need to decide on 7 or 13 pin. 7 pin doesn't get you fog and reverse, which may be an issue if you want to stay legal in the UK,
https://auxtail.com/2017/12/14/acts-regulations/
Not sure about France,
Also the 13 pin is a bit more waterproof, so if you leaving on the outside of the car, then it may be worth the extra cost.
Vehicle specific kits will have plugs that click in, so no potential for harness damage.
Once you have decided to go vehicle specific or universal, you need to decide on 7 or 13 pin. 7 pin doesn't get you fog and reverse, which may be an issue if you want to stay legal in the UK,
https://auxtail.com/2017/12/14/acts-regulations/
Not sure about France,
Also the 13 pin is a bit more waterproof, so if you leaving on the outside of the car, then it may be worth the extra cost.
Thanks all.
The car is a 2011 Chevrolet Orlando (think Vauxhall Zafira crossed with a Jeep Patriot, then whacked repeatedly with the ugly stick). It doesn't have a tow bar.
I'll be having a chat to my tame local mechanic, I think. The light board and number plate are coming in at about €25 so hopefully the electrical connections won't be too expensive/difficult to source.
The car is a 2011 Chevrolet Orlando (think Vauxhall Zafira crossed with a Jeep Patriot, then whacked repeatedly with the ugly stick). It doesn't have a tow bar.
I'll be having a chat to my tame local mechanic, I think. The light board and number plate are coming in at about €25 so hopefully the electrical connections won't be too expensive/difficult to source.
I fitted my own towbar to my e-class. The wiring part was very simple with a vehicle specific kit. I think I got mine from PF Jones, manufacturer is rightconnections.
https://www.pfjones.co.uk/towbar-wiring-kits/chevr...
You're looking at about £100-£150 by the look of it.
I had a generic kit in my old w124, it was a collection of dodgy connections to the loom and was a total pain to work out what was wrong with it. I would second the earlier advice to get a vehicle specific kit on a modern car.
https://www.pfjones.co.uk/towbar-wiring-kits/chevr...
You're looking at about £100-£150 by the look of it.
I had a generic kit in my old w124, it was a collection of dodgy connections to the loom and was a total pain to work out what was wrong with it. I would second the earlier advice to get a vehicle specific kit on a modern car.
If it’s just your number plate then why not fit a plate onto the bikes which could be lit by a small battery powered led light when needed.
Let’s face it it stays light till 11:00 pm in high summer so it’s not really an issue.
If your tail lights and indicators are visible it won’t be a problem.
Let’s face it it stays light till 11:00 pm in high summer so it’s not really an issue.
If your tail lights and indicators are visible it won’t be a problem.
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