Towing Electrics

Modern vehicles are increasingly complex, making it essential that towbar electrics are installed correctly and professionally. Whether you are towing a large caravan or simply using your towbar to support a cycle carrier, suitable electrical connections are required. In the past, towing electrics were connected directly to a vehicle’s rear lights. However, modern vehicles are computer-controlled and incorporate advanced safety systems and complex wiring networks. As a result, towbar electrics are no longer a simple installation. For this reason, we fit Vehicle Specific Wiring as standard on over 98% of our towbar installations. Aftermarket Wiring is only used on a small number of older vehicles where Vehicle Specific Wiring is not available.

13 Pin Electrical Sockets

All towbars that we install are fitted with a 13 pin electrical socket as standard.

This ensures compatibility with:

All modern caravans
Newer trailers fitted with a 13 pin plug
Most cycle carriers

If you are towing an older pre-2008 caravan or a trailer with a 7 pin plug, a suitable adapter can be used.

Towing Electrical Adapters

Towing electrical adapters allow one type of towbar plug to be converted for use with another.

7 Pin to 13 Pin Adapter

If your vehicle has 7 pin electrics fitted:

A 7 pin to 13 pin adapter is most commonly used when a vehicle with 7 pin electrics is towing a cycle carrier or caravan fitted with a 13 pin plug.

Please note that this adapter only carries over the standard 7 pin functions, such as road lighting. It does not provide the additional features of a full 13 pin installation. As a result:

Reverse lights will not operate
Caravan battery charging and interior power will not be supplied

13 Pin to 7 Pin Adapter

If your vehicle has 13 pin electrics fitted:

A 13 pin to 7 pin adapter is used when towing a standard trailer or using a cycle carrier equipped with a 7 pin plug.

13 Pin to Twin Socket Adapter

This adapter is required when a vehicle has a 13 pin socket and needs to tow an older caravan fitted with twin plugs.

These adapters are often necessary with detachable towbars, as the electrical socket usually folds away when not in use, leaving insufficient space to fit twin sockets. In these cases, 13 pin electrics are installed and the adapter is used when required.

13 pin to twin socket adapters are available in two types:

Compact one-piece plug-in adapter – neater in appearance, but may not fit if there is limited space around the 13 pin socket
Lead-style adapter with two separate sockets – less compact, but guaranteed to fit in all situations

If you are unsure which option is most suitable, please contact us for advice.

Twin Socket to 13 Pin Adapter

If your vehicle has twin electrics fitted:

You can already tow a standard 7 pin trailer using the black socket, so no adapter is required.

If you have twin electrics fitted and purchase a new caravan with a 13 pin plug, a twin socket to 13 pin adapter allows you to tow without modifying the existing electrics on your vehicle.

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