Tow bar electrics connector question

[Crazydancer]

Hi, I'm looking for some help on a question I've just been asked by my garage - I have asked them to get a tow bar fitted on a car I'm picking up next week. I don't have a trailer yet, but intend to buy one shortly, and they asked if I need a 13 pin connector for the electrics.
I have no idea.
They said it depends on how new the trailer is, but of course I don't know yet! I don't intend buying a brand new trailer, it will be about 10 years old (or older) I guess, does anyone know if this would be 13 pin??

Many thanks!

 

[blitznbobs]

It doesn't matter tbh you can get a simple adapter which trailers often come with.

 

[tda]

Yes easily available, got mine off amazon for a couple of quid

 

[Birker2020]

Hi, I'm looking for some help on a question I've just been asked by my garage - I have asked them to get a tow bar fitted on a car I'm picking up next week. I don't have a trailer yet, but intend to buy one shortly, and they asked if I need a 13 pin connector for the electrics.
I have no idea.
They said it depends on how new the trailer is, but of course I don't know yet! I don't intend buying a brand new trailer, it will be about 10 years old (or older) I guess, does anyone know if this would be 13 pin??

Many thanks!

Make sure you tell the garage the towbar is for a horse trailer and not for towing anything else like a caravan or light weight trailer. Towbars are difference depending on what you intend to tow.

 

[vmac66]

I have an older rice trailer and am sure it is 7 pin. I got a convertor from ebay. I keep mind in my glove box. Don't leave it on your car as they are easily pinched.x

 

[popsdosh]

Make sure you tell the garage the towbar is for a horse trailer and not for towing anything else like a caravan or light weight trailer. Towbars are difference depending on what you intend to tow.

NO there not .I wish people would get their facts right before they say stupid things! The tow bar will be type approved for the vehicle its going on and up to max towing weight of the vehicle.

OP get them to fit 13 pin as its easy to adapt down to a seven which im sure you will need too ! However once its fitted its fitted and later trailers will come with 13 pin plugs .

 

[PorkChop]

Like others have said, it doesn't matter, you can either get a converter or get the plug changed.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Also, it's fairly easy to replace the old wiring system in your trailer and upgrade it to the new 13 pin system. OH did this recently to our 2006 Ifor 510 after we upgraded the tow vehicle, tbh it was about time it was rewired anyway.

 

[dixie]

My old trailer was 7 pin but my newer trailer is 13 pin.

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

Tell them it's a horse trailer and you only need one socket.

 

[popsdosh]

Also, it's fairly easy to replace the old wiring system in your trailer and upgrade it to the new 13 pin system. OH did this recently to our 2006 Ifor 510 after we upgraded the tow vehicle, tbh it was about time it was rewired anyway.

Gives you the option now to fit reversing lights to the trailer if you wish.

 

[popsdosh]

Tell them it's a horse trailer and you only need one socket.

13 pin is only one socket! All new trailers will come with 13 pin now as I believe they have to have reversing lights (not totally sure if that is in force or going too). It would be stupid to fit something you may need to upgrade soon anyhow.

 

[asmp]

I stupidly asked the tow bar man, who fitted the tow bar to our new car, to fit the wrong socket. Only realising on the day we were leaving for a competition I had to dash down to Halfords for an adapter. It worked fine for a while but then one of the indicators on the trailer stopped working. I asked my Trailer man to fix it and he told me it was probably the adaptor as he sees lots of problems with them (he'd just sent a whole batch back as they were faulty). He fitted a new connector for a few quid and I've had no problems since.

What I'm trying to say (in a roundabout way) is even if you get the wrong connector now, just take it to your local trailer person to get it changed as it costs the same as buying an adaptor.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Gives you the option now to fit reversing lights to the trailer if you wish.

That's handy to know. I'll get the OH on the case .

 

[rara007]

My car is 13 pin, but trailers are 7 pins. Adapters working fine so far (though extra thing to remember!) Trailers will probably be with me longer than the car but atlesst the car is up to date if we sell!

 

[popsdosh]

I stupidly asked the tow bar man, who fitted the tow bar to our new car, to fit the wrong socket. Only realising on the day we were leaving for a competition I had to dash down to Halfords for an adapter. It worked fine for a while but then one of the indicators on the trailer stopped working. I asked my Trailer man to fix it and he told me it was probably the adaptor as he sees lots of problems with them (he'd just sent a whole batch back as they were faulty). He fitted a new connector for a few quid and I've had no problems since.

What I'm trying to say (in a roundabout way) is even if you get the wrong connector now, just take it to your local trailer person to get it changed as it costs the same as buying an adaptor.

Thats the reason they should not be left plugged in. Take them out and keep in vehicle they are fine.

 

[Crazydancer]

Thanks everyone for the replies!! I'm not planning to tow a caravan, ever, and the trailer won't be a new one, and for occasional use only. Maybe twice a month during the nicer weather, so I have asked for a 7 pin. I can always get it changed or get an adaptor later if needed.